Minitab for Windows Version 11.12
September 23, 1996
If you are considering getting software for your statistical analysis,
you might want to look at the new Minitab for Windows version 11.12.
This version runs on either Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or Windows NT. Without
trying to compete with high end statistical packages, Minitab offers a
reasonably wide range of data manipulations and analysis capabilities that
might satisfy researchers with their need for routine statistical analysis.
Being mostly menu driven but allowing for the
command-line option combines ease of use with flexibility.
Minitab will import/export files in several different formats, including text files and Excel files, and present them in a spreadsheet-like window. The data manipulation will let you subset, sort and merge datasets as well as recode and manipulate variables with a wide variety of mathematical expressions and functions.
The statistical analysis features are quite extensive including General Linear Model (GLM) for balanced or unbalanced designs and Multivariate Analysis such as Principal Components Analysis and Factor Analysis. The statistical capabilities of version 11.12 have also been enhanced by the addition of Logistic Regression and Survival Analysis features. The Survival Analysis is mostly descriptive and does not allow the estimation of a Proportional Hazards Model. Other examples of limitations in the statistical analysis features of Minitab are the non-availability of multiple comparison beyond the one-way ANOVA and the fact that GLM requires all nesting to be balanced.
Minitab offers a wide array of possible graphs that can be edited to suit one's needs. Many graphs can be produced automatically as an add-on to a requested analysis. Graph brushing allows one to select points on a plot to be highlighted in other graphs or in the Data window. A subsequent analysis can then also be obtained based on these brushed points.
The Cornell site license for Minitab for Windows version 11.12 and Minitab for Macintosh version 10 xtra has been renewed for the academic year 1996-97. This site license allows Cornell students and researchers to install Minitab on their Cornell PC or Mac at no cost, although a contribution towards next year's renewal fees would be more than welcome. For information on the Minitab site-license check the CIT web page. If you would like to obtain a copy of the software you should contact Mark Schneider. If you would like to test Minitab before deciding whether to install it, do not hesitate to contact Francoise Vermeylen.
Author: Francoise Vermeylen
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