A review of macintosh-based instructional software <s> Data Analysis <s> The statistical simulation program DATASIM is designed to conduct large-scale sampling experiments on microcomputers. Monte Carlo procedures are used to investigate the Type I and Type II error rates for statistical tests when one or more assumptions are systematically violated-assumptions, for example, regarding normality, homogeneity of variance or covariance, mini-mum expected cell frequencies, and the like. In the present paper, we report several initial tests of the data-generating algorithms employed by DATASIM. The results indicate that the uniform and standard normal deviate generators perform satisfactorily. Furthermore, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests show that the sampling distributions ofz, t, F, χ2, andr generated by DATASIM simulations follow the appropriate theoretical distributions. Finally, estimates of Type I error rates obtained by DATASIM under various patterns of violations of assumptions are in close agreement with the results of previous analytical and empirical studies; These converging lines of evidence suggest that DATASIM may well prove to be a reliable and productive tool for conducting statistical simulation research. <s> BIB001 </s> A review of macintosh-based instructional software <s> Data Analysis <s> Many programs are available for the Macintosh that provide advanced visualization tools. Some of the tools are individual applications, and some are part of mathematical packages. This paper reviews the capabilities, functionality, and ease of use of visualization tools within six software packages: Mathematica, Spyglass Transform/View, Spyglass Dicer, JMP, MacSpin, and SYSTAT. Advances in computer processor technology have brought mainframe and workstation processing capabili­ ties to the personal computer. These advances put the tools of scientific visualization within the reach of many re­ searchers who would have previously needed access to supercomputer facilities and a degree in graphics program­ ming. The Macintosh has been an especially receptive platform for visualization techniques, primarily due to its graphical user interface and standardized programming guidelines. Since the basic operating procedures are con­ sistent across different applications, users can rapidly learn how to use new programs. Many programs have appeared for the Macintosh that offer advanced visualization tools, either as individual ap­ plications or as parts oflarger statistical packages. In the present paper, we review the capabilities, functionality, and ease of use of six of these software packages: Mathe­ matica, Spyglass Transform/View, Spyglass Dicer, JMP, MacSpin, and SYSTAT. There are many programs with features that overlap those discussed here; these programs were chosen to serve as representative samples of cur­ rently available software. JMP and SYSTAT represent essentially two examples of the statistical processing software domain, with JMP providing most of the necessary statistical tests and graph­ ics and SYSTAT providing the complete gamut of statis <s> BIB002
As a group, the data analysisprograms are a more sophisticated product than the earlier programs written for the first generationof microcomputers  . They are powerful, integrated programs with graphical capabilities. BIB002 have reviewed the ease of use of the visualization tools that are available in some of these programs. Since there are already comprehensive reviews of the data analysis programs that are available for the Macintosh   , this review focuses on the programs that are especially useful in instruction. For data analysis in our research methods course, we use SYSTAT. It provides a comprehensive list of statistical tests, and it permits data entry in a spreadsheet format with editingcapabilities. When comparedwith popular mainframe programs (SAS and SPSS), SYSTAT is comparable in power but is easier to use and has more advanced graphics. Of all the programs in our library, this was the one used most frequently by both faculty and students. Student evaluations indicated that 68 %of the students thought that SYSTAT made it easier to learn the course material, and 80% disagreed that the program was useless for their understanding of the course. The percentage of students indicating ease of learning the material was slightly up from the previous semester, when much more limited Apple II statistical programs were in use. However, even though it was rated highly by the students, there were a number of complaints about difficulty. The percentage of students who experienced some frustration with SYSTAT was higher than in previous semesters when Apple II statistics programs were used. The percentages are, respectively, 35 and 20. SYSTAT was not as intuitive or user-friendly as other Macintosh programs. The students needed to refer to handouts for computing most of the statistical tests. The program had a tendency to overpower those just beginning to learn about data analysis. We are working to reduce the frustration factor by developing l-page handouts that guide the student through a statistical procedure. Although extensive manuals accompany this software program, we needed to develop handouts more tailored to the limited sets of statistical procedures that are used in undergraduate courses. Preliminary student reactions from this semester indicated that the handouts were effective in reducing some of the frustration that the first group of students experienced with the program. After some initial instruction, however, the students became quite proficient with this software and were quite independent in their applications. SuperANOVA is the recommended package for the analysis of variance. Compared with SYSTAT, SuperANOVA does not provide as comprehensive a set of statistical tests, but it is reported to be more intuitive and user-friendly than the other. As with SYSTAT, the data are entered in a spreadsheet format and the graphics are effective. DataSim BIB001 ) is also recommended as a general-purpose statistical package for univariate data analysis. This package differs from the two previous programs because it is designed to conduct sampling experiments and will generate simulated data. The data simulation capability has some distinct advantages for instructional demonstrations and for student exercises in sampling theory. Users fmd this program to be relatively intuitive and user-friendly. These programs were chosen over others specificallydesigned for student use (e.g., StatView, MYSTAT) because we wanted a data analysis experience that would build research skills. To provide the prerequisite experiences for research in psychology, students need to be exposed to state-of-the-art data analysis techniques. Our experience suggests that students can become quite proficient and versatile with SYSTAT after some practice, as long as the exposure is gradual and handouts are provided for some of the basic procedures. For example, it is important to teach data entry and descriptive statisticsbefore involving the students with ANOVA and more complex procedures. The primary advantage of these programs is that studentsreceive experience with programs that teach data analysis skills that will readilytranslate to their performance in more advanced courses and research experiences.