IBM SPSS Amos

Quantitative methods and statistical ones, in particular, have seen a sharp rise in usage, corresponding to the increase in computational power of processors. IBM SPSS Amos is one such digital tool, allowing users to create powerful models, but also intuitive and highly informative diagrams.

Essentially, the program can create common statistical models, such as regression analysis, as well as Bayesian estimations on any type of source data. Information can be fed into the program via multiple types of containers, including DBFs, MDBs, XLS documents, and even properly formatted TXTs or CSVs.

Chi-square tests and covariance calculations can be performed with just several mouse clicks and bootstrap analyses are also supported. However, a distinctive feature of this program is that it combines informative graphics with raw statistical power.

Getting results across to an audience unfamiliar with Statistics has always been a burden for researchers and analysts. IBM SPSS Amos seeks to address this issue by providing users with basic, but adequate tools to create diagrams. These images can serve to explain correlations between variables, a fact equations are ill-equipped for.

The ability to build structural equation models in a highly intuitive manner is one of the strong points of this tool. Another noteworthy aspect is its support for more advanced users, as the application can be run both with and without a GUI.

Users accustomed to scripting will also appreciate the built-in support for VB and C# customized programs. A separate module, “ProgramEditorCLI” is employed to handle code and one can even run and debug scripts. These user-built components can enhance functionality by incorporating SEM results into a larger project, or by creating classes to be called by the tool.

To sum up, IBM SPSS Amos is a comprehensive application for anyone involved with statistical analysis, but especially users who are also accustomed to programming in VB and C#.