What are the best practices for choosing a statistical software tutorial?

1 Assess your goals

Before you start looking for a tutorial, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn and why. Do you need to perform a specific analysis for a project or a course? Do you want to explore a new topic or method? Do you want to refresh your existing knowledge or fill in some gaps? Depending on your goals, you may need a tutorial that covers a certain level of difficulty, a particular type of data, or a specific software feature.

2 Choose your software

There are many statistical software options available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some are free and open source, such as R and Python, while others are commercial and require a license, such as SPSS and SAS. Some are more user-friendly and intuitive, while others are more flexible and powerful. Some are more suitable for certain fields or applications, while others are more general-purpose. You should choose a software that matches your goals, your budget, and your preferences.

3 Compare different sources

Once you have decided on your software, you need to find a reliable and relevant source of tutorials. To compare different sources, you should consider the quality of the content, the format of the delivery, and the reputation of the author. Is the tutorial accurate, clear, and up-to-date? Does it explain concepts and code in an understandable way? Is it written, video, or interactive? Who created the tutorial and what are their credentials? Do they have positive reviews or feedback from other learners? All of these factors can help you decide which source is best for you.

4 Start with the basics

Even if you have some prior experience with statistics or the software, it is always a good idea to start with the basics. This will help you familiarize yourself with the software interface, the syntax, the commands, and the functions. It will also help you review the fundamental concepts and principles of statistics, such as data types, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and hypothesis testing. Starting with the basics will give you a solid foundation for learning more advanced topics and techniques.

6 Seek feedback and support

Learning statistics and statistical software can be challenging and frustrating, so if you encounter errors, bugs, or difficulties that you cannot solve on your own, or have doubts, questions, or confusions that need clarifying, you should seek feedback and support from other sources. The tutorial itself may provide answers, hints, or explanations for the exercises or problems. Additionally, the software may have an official website or documentation with information or solutions. You can also interact with other users or experts through the software’s online community such as a blog, newsletter, or social media group. Furthermore, the statistics field has many online resources such as books, journals, podcasts, and courses to learn more or deepen your knowledge. Additionally, there are online platforms like Stack Exchange, Quora, and Reddit where you can ask or answer questions and share your experience.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?