Statistical Software FAQs

• Will I be required to learn SAS and Stata?
• Can I get my own copy of SAS?
• Can I get my own copy of Stata and which version should I buy?
• I’ve been using Stata 9. What should I know about Stata/IC 10?
• My computer has the Microsoft Vista operating system. Will that be a problem for my use of either SAS or Stata?
• Which should I use -- SAS or Stata -- for my thesis?
• I want to convert a dataset from one program format to another. How do I do it?

Will I be required to learn SAS and Stata?

At this time, the instructors teaching Quantitative Methods I assign problem sets that are to be completed using SAS. All Instructors teaching Quantitative II and III allow students to use SAS and some permit the use of Stata by students who prefer it.

Can I get my own copy of SAS?
Georgetown University holds a SAS license so you can purchase a one-year license for your personal computer for $25 (check only) through Hoya Computing located on the ground floor of St. Mary's Hall on the medical school side of campus near Reservoir Road.

Can I get my own copy of Stata and which version should I buy?
Stata released version 10 for its software in June 2007 and the GPPI computer labs run Stata/SE 10. However, if you plan to purchase Stata for your own computer the Stata/IC 10 version will be sufficient for your programming needs. Please note that Intercooled Stata 9 is compatible with Stata/IC 10, meaning that both programming statements (i.e., syntax) and data files created with version 9 will work under version 10.

You can purchase a copy of Stata/IC 10 via their website on the Grad Plans page. You can choose either a one-year ($95) or perpetual ($155) license. These prices were valid as of June 2007. Once your order is processed, you will be directed to pick up the software from the campus representative, Ru San Chen (chenrs@georgetown.edu) who works at the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship (CNDLS) in Car Barn 314.

I've been using Stata 9. What should I know about Stata/IC 10?
For details on what's new in Stata 10, click here. Of particular note might be the changes to the graph editor and the methods for saving results.

My computer has the Microsoft Vista operating system. Will that be a problem for my use of either SAS or Stata?
Stata: Only Stata/IC 10, the latest version, is compatible with the Vista operating system.
SAS: At this time the current version, SAS 9.1.3, is compatible with only the “business” versions of Microsoft Vista -- Windows Vista Business, Business Enterprise, and Business Ultimate. If purchasing SAS from Georgetown (or renewing your license), be sure to indicate if your computer has one of these operating systems.
SAS 9.1.3 is not compatible with either Windows Vista Home Premium or Home Basic.
For more information see the SAS website here: http://support.sas.com/techsup/pcn/vista.html

Which should I use -- SAS or Stata – for my thesis?
It is up to each thesis advisor to determine which statistical package that students in his or her section will be permitted to use. Within those parameters, the choice often depends on personal preference as both are quite versatile packages widely used in applied research settings.
However, there are some differences across the two packages that may be important depending on the data management tasks and/or statistical procedures you plan to use.

1. Some people find particular tasks more “intuitive” in one versus the other application. For example, students often prefer combing two data files (e.g., merging) within SAS. Preferences vary widely, however.
2. A limited number of procedures are available within one but not the other package.
3. SAS and Stata differ in terms of the options available for certain procedures. For example, Stata allows greater versatility in the use of weights for analyses of survey data.

Your advisor can help you determine whether SAS or Stata is better suited to your specific needs. Given the idiosyncrasies of each package, some students use SAS for some project tasks and Stata for others.

It is straight-forward to transition across SAS and Stata, even though their data file formats differ. Both SAS and Stata contain routines for exporting and importing data with different formats. Easier yet, the software application called Stat-Transfer (loaded on the computers in the GPPI lab) makes quick work of file format conversions.

I want to convert a dataset from one program format to another. How do I do it?
SAS and Stata contain routines for exporting and importing data with different formats. However, the easiest way to convert a data file from one format to another is by using Stat-Transfer (available on the computers in the GPPI lab), a software application designed for this purpose. Stat-Transfer allows you to convert among a broad array of file formats including spreadsheets, databases, SPSS, SAS, Stata.

See tips for using Stat-Transfer provided on the product’s webpage. The UCLA Academic Technology Services division also provides advice and answers to frequently asked questions.