StatView
Encyclopedia
StatView was a statistics
application
released for Apple Macintosh computers in 1985.
StatView was one of the first statistics applications to have a graphical user interface
, capitalizing on the Macintosh's. A user saw a spreadsheet
of his or her data, comprising columns that could be integer
s, long integers, real number
s, strings
, or categories, and rows that were usually cases (such as individual people for psychology
data). Columns had informative headings; rows were numbered. Category data looked like strings (e.g., a column headed "sex" would have entries of "male" and "female", but these were coded by the application as integers). Category data were used to perform inferential statistical tests such as t tests, ANOVAs, and chi square tests. To calculate statistics, a user clicked on particular column headings, designating them as an x value and one or more y values. Then the user used the application's menu
s to choose descriptive statistics
or inferential statistics.
For example, a user's spreadsheet might contain columns for names of a participant in a survey
(a string), sex (a category variable), IQ (integer), and years using a PC
(real). By designating number of years using a PC as an x variable and IQ as a y variable, the user could then choose from a menu to perform a regression
. The user then had to choose from another menu how to view the regression in a separate window
, either as a table, in which case the regression equation and ANOVA were displayed, or as a scattergram, in which case a graph of the data and the regression line were shown. Contents of the analysis window could be copied either as text or as a PICT
.
StatView was initially distributed by BrainPower Inc from California
. It grew up with the Macintosh, changing owners along the way. StatView 3 to 5 were distributed by Abacus Corporation. It was then bought by SAS
who discontinued it in favour of JMP
. The application continued to run under Classic emulation with Apple's Mac OS X
, but could not run on Intel Macintoshes. In 2009, it still runs under OS 7 emulation using Basilisk II
.
StatView 2 was called StatView SE + Graphics. It included ANOVA with one repeated-measure and, remarkably, a factor analysis
. In StatView 4, the user approach changed from touching the to-be-analyzed data in the spreadsheet to clicking on column names in a separate window. This lack of immediacy was compensated for by an increase in the number of statistical tests that could be performed and in the power of existing tests. For example, multiway repeated-measures factors could be included in ANOVAs, with the only limit being the memory allocated to the application. There were ANCOVA
and MANOVA
too. StatView 4 also became available for PCs.
Despite its lack of availability and support and the difficulty of running the application on computers current in 2009, StatView still has some loyal users
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
application
Application software
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with...
released for Apple Macintosh computers in 1985.
StatView was one of the first statistics applications to have a graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
, capitalizing on the Macintosh's. A user saw a spreadsheet
Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
of his or her data, comprising columns that could be integer
Integer
The integers are formed by the natural numbers together with the negatives of the non-zero natural numbers .They are known as Positive and Negative Integers respectively...
s, long integers, real number
Real number
In mathematics, a real number is a value that represents a quantity along a continuum, such as -5 , 4/3 , 8.6 , √2 and π...
s, strings
String (computer science)
In formal languages, which are used in mathematical logic and theoretical computer science, a string is a finite sequence of symbols that are chosen from a set or alphabet....
, or categories, and rows that were usually cases (such as individual people for psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
data). Columns had informative headings; rows were numbered. Category data looked like strings (e.g., a column headed "sex" would have entries of "male" and "female", but these were coded by the application as integers). Category data were used to perform inferential statistical tests such as t tests, ANOVAs, and chi square tests. To calculate statistics, a user clicked on particular column headings, designating them as an x value and one or more y values. Then the user used the application's menu
Menu
In a restaurant, a menu is a presentation of food and beverage offerings. A menu may be a la carte – which guests use to choose from a list of options – or table d'hôte, in which case a pre-established sequence of courses is served....
s to choose descriptive statistics
Descriptive statistics
Descriptive statistics quantitatively describe the main features of a collection of data. Descriptive statistics are distinguished from inferential statistics , in that descriptive statistics aim to summarize a data set, rather than use the data to learn about the population that the data are...
or inferential statistics.
For example, a user's spreadsheet might contain columns for names of a participant in a survey
Statistical survey
Survey methodology is the field that studies surveys, that is, the sample of individuals from a population with a view towards making statistical inferences about the population using the sample. Polls about public opinion, such as political beliefs, are reported in the news media in democracies....
(a string), sex (a category variable), IQ (integer), and years using a PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
(real). By designating number of years using a PC as an x variable and IQ as a y variable, the user could then choose from a menu to perform a regression
Regression analysis
In statistics, regression analysis includes many techniques for modeling and analyzing several variables, when the focus is on the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables...
. The user then had to choose from another menu how to view the regression in a separate window
Window
A window is a transparent or translucent opening in a wall or door that allows the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound. Windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent material like float glass. Windows are held in place by frames, which...
, either as a table, in which case the regression equation and ANOVA were displayed, or as a scattergram, in which case a graph of the data and the regression line were shown. Contents of the analysis window could be copied either as text or as a PICT
PICT
PICT is a graphics file format introduced on the original Apple Macintosh computer as its standard metafile format. It allows the interchange of graphics , and some limited text support, between Mac applications, and was the native graphics format of QuickDraw.The original version, PICT 1, was...
.
StatView was initially distributed by BrainPower Inc from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It grew up with the Macintosh, changing owners along the way. StatView 3 to 5 were distributed by Abacus Corporation. It was then bought by SAS
SAS Institute
SAS Institute Inc. , headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, USA, has been a major producer of software since it was founded in 1976 by Anthony Barr, James Goodnight, John Sall and Jane Helwig...
who discontinued it in favour of JMP
JMP (statistical software)
JMP is a computer program that was first developed by John Sall and others to perform simple and complex statistical analyses.It dynamically links statistics with graphics to interactively explore, understand, and visualize data...
. The application continued to run under Classic emulation with Apple's Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
, but could not run on Intel Macintoshes. In 2009, it still runs under OS 7 emulation using Basilisk II
Basilisk II
Basilisk II is an open source software emulator which emulates the 680x0-based Apple Macintosh computer on a variety of operating systems, including BeOS, Linux, AmigaOS, Windows NT, Mac OS X and even on the Sony PSP....
.
StatView 2 was called StatView SE + Graphics. It included ANOVA with one repeated-measure and, remarkably, a factor analysis
Factor analysis
Factor analysis is a statistical method used to describe variability among observed, correlated variables in terms of a potentially lower number of unobserved, uncorrelated variables called factors. In other words, it is possible, for example, that variations in three or four observed variables...
. In StatView 4, the user approach changed from touching the to-be-analyzed data in the spreadsheet to clicking on column names in a separate window. This lack of immediacy was compensated for by an increase in the number of statistical tests that could be performed and in the power of existing tests. For example, multiway repeated-measures factors could be included in ANOVAs, with the only limit being the memory allocated to the application. There were ANCOVA
ANCOVA
In statistics, analysis of covariance is a general linear model with a continuous outcome variable and two or more predictor variables where at least one is continuous and at least one is categorical . ANCOVA is a merger of ANOVA and regression for continuous variables...
and MANOVA
MANOVA
Multivariate analysis of variance is a generalized form of univariate analysis of variance . It is used when there are two or more dependent variables. It helps to answer : 1. do changes in the independent variable have significant effects on the dependent variables; 2. what are the interactions...
too. StatView 4 also became available for PCs.
Despite its lack of availability and support and the difficulty of running the application on computers current in 2009, StatView still has some loyal users