[R] [Fwd: FW: Biostats text/software]

[Patrick Foley]

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EvolDir wrote:

> Colleagues,
>
> A few days ago I posted a message inquiring what folks were using for
> teaching biostats. I received a stunning 38 replies offering various
> opinions, some quite surprising, along with links to web pages, pointers for
> coverage, commentaries on favorite professors, etc. Rather than post the
> entire text of all the messages to the web, I have summarized the results of
> this "poll". If you want a copy of all the messages, then drop me an email
> and I will forward them!
>
> AND THE TEXT WINNERS ARE.... There was a clear preference in texts for Zar,
> with Sokal and Rohlf coming in second. Most folks thought that Zar was the
> best combination of text and reference for undergrads. Many admitted it was
> difficult, but that the students could handle it.
>
> THE SURPRISE WINNER IN THE SOFTWARE CATEGORY: The leader was S-Plus or the
> freeware version R. I am a true S zealot, however I was concerned about
> teaching with this (although I actually have done so in the past). Most
> folks felt that the benefits of S/R's flexibility and outstanding graphics
> outweighed the steep learning curve. Many suggested that I would be doing
> the students a favor by teaching them how to program such powerful software.
> SPSS and JMP tied for second, however nearly everyone had some caveat about
> limitations/shortcomings of every package (which is, of course, why we use S
> or R...).
>
> RESULTS (note that some folks recommended only software or only text; others
> had two favorites):
> Zar: Biostatistical Analysis    15
> Sokal & Rohlf: Biometry 9
> Dytham: Choosing and Using Statistics : A Biologist's Guide     2
> Sokal & Rohlf: Introduction to Biostatistics    1
> Rossner': Fundamentals of Biostatistics, 5th Edition    1
> Fowler & Cohen: Practical Statistics for Field Biology  1
>
> Splus/R 8
> SPSS            5
> JMP             5
> Systat  4
> Statview        3
> Minitab 3
> Excel           2
> Sigmastat       2
> Statistica      1
>
> I want to thank everyone who replied and offered words of encouragement and
> advice. Again, if you want the entire set of messages, drop me a note and
> get ready for a big document.
>
> Cheers, George
>
> =================================================================
> George W. Gilchrist                Email #1:gilchrgw at clarkson.edu
> Department of Biology, Box 5805    Email #2: kitesci at northnet.org
> Clarkson University                         Phone: (315) 268-2359
> Potsdam, NY  13699-5805                       Fax: (315) 268-7118
> GWG Web Site <<http://www.clarkson.edu/~gilchrgw>>

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