Meta-Analysis Software: A Comparative Review

DSTAT, Version 1.10: Available from Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., 10 Industrial Ave., Mahwah, NJ 07430-2262; phone: 800-926-6579

TRUE EPISTAT, Version 4.0: Available from Epistat Services, 2011 Cap Rock Circle, Richardson, TX 75080; phone: 214-680-1376; fax: 214-680-1303.

FAST*PRO, Version 1.0: Available from Academic Press, Inc., 955 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139; phone: 800-321-5068; fax: 800-336-7377.

Meta-analysts conduct studies in which the responses are analytic summary measurements, such as risk differences, effect sizes, p values, or z statistics, obtained from a series of independent studies. The motivation for conducting a meta-analysis is to integrate research findings over studies in order to summarize the evidence about treatment efficacy or risk factors. This article presents a comparative review of three meta-analytic software packages: DSTAT, TRUE EPISTAT, and FAST*PRO.     

Statistical Computing Software Reviews

This department includes the two sections New Developments in Statistical Computing and Statistical Computing Software Reviews; suitable contents for each of these sections is described under the respective section heading. Articles submitted for the department, outside the two sections, should not be highly technical and should be relevant to the teaching or practice of statistical computing.

This section is similar in organization to a Book Review section in other journals; however, software of interest to statisticians is the subject of review here. Emphasis is on software for microcomputers. Programs that operate only in larger mainframe computers will seldom receive review. Normally, producers of programs make a copy of their product available to the Section Editor, who then selects one or more persons to test the product and prepare a review.

Producers of computer software who wish to have their product reviewed are invited to contact the Section Editor, Professor Kenneth Berk, Department of Mathematics, 313 Stevenson Hall, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61761.

Findings and opinions expressed in every review are solely those of the author. They should not be construed as reflecting endorsement of the product, or opinions held, by the American Statistical Association, nor is any warranty implied about any product reviewed.

SYSTAT Leland Wilkinson. Available from Systat, Inc., 603 Main St., Evanston, IL 60202. $495 (multiple copy and site fees available). Reviewed by Mark I. Scherwish

AIDA, Version 9/82 David A. Lingwood, Available from Action-Research Northwest, 11442 Marine View Drive, S.W., Seattle, WA 98146. $235. Reviewed by Walter Liggett

MSUSTAT, MS/PC-DOS and CP/M-80 Version 2.20 Richard E. Lund. Available from Research and Development, Inc., Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717–0002. $187.50 (university and multiple-copy discounts available). Reviewed by Mervyn G. Marasinghe     

Statistical Computing Software Reviews

RATS. Thomas A. Doan and Robert B. Litterman. Available from VAR Econometrics, Inc., P.O. Box 19334, Minneapolis, MN 55419. Large memory version $300; small memory version $200; multiple copy discounts available.

SPSS/PC+ Available from SPSS Inc., 444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60611. SPSS/PC +, $795; SPSS/PC + Tables, $295; SPSS/PC+ Advanced Statistics, $295.     

Statistical Packages for Microcomputers: A Listing

The program Data Muncher (Version 1.0) and the SAS (Version 6.10) procedures PROC TABULATE and PROC REPORT are compared with respect to their ability to generate statistical tables that summarize data for both analysis (continuous) and classification (categorical) variables. The comparison was made on an IBM-compatible PC running Windows. The functioning of the programs as well as many formatting and layout options are compared. It is concluded that each product has its advantages and its limitations. Data Muncher is available from Conceptual Software, Inc. [(713) 721–4200 or (800) 328–2686]. The SAS System is available from SAS Institute Inc. [(919) 677–8000].     

Medical Statistics at the Medical School of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

PowerPack (Version 2.22) Russell V. Lenth. 3061 Hastings Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa 52245; (319) 337–8549. Bitnet: Blarvlpd @ Uiamvs. $195; 50% educational discount. Reviewed by Ralph G. O'Brien

Nwa Statpak (Version 4.1) Northwest Analytical Inc. 520 N.W. Davis Street, Portland, Oregon 97209; (503) 224–7727. $495; discounts for academic users and multiple-copy users. Reviewed by Barbara L. Mann     

Statistical Computing Software Reviews

This section is similar in organization to a Book Review section in other journals; however, software of interest to statisticians is the subject of review here. Emphasis is on software for microcomputers. Programs that operate only in larger mainframe computers will seldom receive review. Normally, producers of programs make a copy of their product available to the Section Editor, who then selects one or more persons to test the product and prepare a review.

Producers of computer software who wish to have their product reviewed are invited to contact the Section Editor, Professor Kenneth Berk, Department of Mathematics, 313 Stevenson Hall, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61761.

Findings and opinions expressed in every review are solely those of the author. They should not be construed as reflecting endorsement of the product, or opinions held, by the American Statistical Association, nor is any warranty implied about any product reviewed.

STAN, Version II.0. David M. Allen. Available from Statistical Consultants, Inc., 462 E. High Street, Lexington, KY 40508. $300. Reviewed by Peter A. Lachenbruch     

Reviews of Books and Teaching Materials

Workshop Statistics: Discovery with Data and Minitab. Allan J. ROSSMAN and Beth L. CHANCE. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1998, xxviii + 486 pp. $39.95 (P).

Data Analysis with Microsoft Excel. Kenneth N. BERK and Patrick CAREY. Pacific Grove, CA: Duxbury, 1998, xxi + 503 pp. $29.95 (P), ISBN: 0-534-52929-1.

Statistical Laboratory Exercises Using Excel: A Guide to Understanding Data. Tania PRVAN and Peter PETOCZ. Brisbane: Jacaranda Wiley, 1998, vi + 57 pp., $15.95 (P + 1 disc), ISBN: 0-471-34050-2. Reviewed by Richard Cleary

Data, Statistics, and Decision Models with Excel. Donald L. HARNETT and James E. HORRELL. New York: Wiley, 1998, xviii + 605, $93.95, ISBN: 0-471-13398-1. Reviewed by Sue B. Schou

Maple V© Student Version: Release 5. Waterloo Maple, Inc., New York: Springer-Verlag, 1998, $99.

Statistics with Stata 5. Lawrence C. HAMILTON. Pacific Grove, CA: Duxbury, 1998, x + 325 pp. $34.95, ISBN: 0-534-26559-6. Reviewed by Richard Goldstein     

Computer Algebra Systems: DERIVE®

Seeing Through Statistics.; Jessica M. Utts. Belmont, CA: Duxbury Press, 1996. xvi + 464 pp. $40.95. Reviewed by Sheila O'Leary Weaver

Statistics and Data Analysis, 2nd ed.; Andrew F. Siegel and Charles J. Morgan. New York: John Wiley, 1996. xiv + 635 pp. $68.95. Reviewed by Jennifer Hoeting

Statistics Principles and Methods (3rd ed.).; Richard A. Johnson and Gouri K. Bhattacharyya. New York: John Wiley, 1996. xv + 720 pp. $70.95. Reviewed by Linda C. Malone

Engineering Statistics: The Industrial Experience.; Bernard Ostle, Kenneth V. Turner, Jr., Charles R. Hicks, and Gayle W. Mcelrath. Belmont, CA: Duxbury Press, 1996. xiv + 568 pp. $62.95. Reviewed by Anne M. Dougherty

Introductory Statistics.; Sheldon M. ROSS. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996. 807 pp. $63.59. Reviewed by Youn-Min Chou

Workshop Statistics.; Allan J. ROSSMAN. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1996. xx + 452 pp. $26.95. Reviewed by Jonathan D. Cryer

Exploring Probability and Statistics with Spreadsheets.; J. T. Callender and R. Jackson. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 19xx. viii + 236 pp. $36.00. Reviewed by K. L. D. Gunawardena

NCSS (6.0.21 for Windows); Available from NCSS Statistical Software, 329 North 1000 East, Kaysville, UT 84037. For five or more student copies the cost is $25 for each set of software disks and $30 for each set of manuals. Reviewed by Michael Nabel

DASL—The Data and Story Library; This collection of datasets and stories designed for use in statistics courses is available on the Internet at http://www.stat.cmu.edu/DASL/. Reviewed by Jeffrey A. Witmer

StatLib: An Archive for Statistical Software, Datasets, and Information: StatLib is a system for distributing statistical software, datasets, and information by electronic mail, FTP, gopher, and WWW Although StatLib is not primarily intended as a resource for teachers, much of its contents are of interest when teaching statistics. StatLib is free and available via the Internet. Reviewed by Charles Kooperberg     

Book Reviews

A First Course in Probability Models and Statistical Inference. J.H.C. Creighton. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1994. xxxi + 717 pp. $49.95. Reviewed by Bruce Kino

Statistical Methods: An Introductory Text. J. Mehdi. New Delhi: Wiley Eastern Limited, 1992, xii + 438 pp. $37.97. Reviewed by William D. Warde

Regression Analysis—Concepts and Applications. Franklin A. Graybill and Hariharan K. Iyer. Florence, KY: Wadsworth Inc., 1994, 701 pp. $59.95. Reviewed by Larry Winner     

Book review

G.Bamberg:Statistische Entseheldungstheorle, Physica-Verlag, Würzburg-Wien 1972, 149 S., DM 20,–.

J.M.Mendel:Discrete Techniques of Parameter Estimation. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York 1973, XIV, 385 S., $ 19.50.

P.Eykhoff:System Identification. Parameter and State Estimation. John Wiley & Sons, London 1974, XX, 555 pp., £ 12.50.

G.Härtler:Versuchsplanung und Statistische Datenanalyse, Akademie-Verlag, Berlin 1976, 103 S., 6 Abb., 12,– M.

P.Mertens(Hrsg.):Prognoserechnung. Physica-Verlag, Würzburg-Wien 1973; 295 S., DM 48,–

E.Schaich, D. Kohle, W.Schweitzer, F.Wegner:Statistik I (für Volkswirte, Betriebswirte und Soziologen.) Verlag Franz Vahlen GrnbH, München 1974, 160 S., DM 22,80.

A.Rosengard: Probabilltés et Statistique en Recherche Scientifique. Dunod, Paris 1972, XIV, 310 S.

D. Zschocke:Betriebsökonometrie.Physica-Verlag, Würzburg-Wien 1974, 287 S., DM 90.–.

J.C.G. Boot, E.B. Cox:Statistical Analysis for Managerial Decisions. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York 1970, XI, 651 S.

H.Richter, V. Mammitzsch: Methode der kleinsten Quallrate (mit Übungen und Aufgaben).Verlag Berliner Union GmbH, Stuttgart, und Verlag W. Kohlharnmer GmbH, Stuttgart-Berlin-Köln-Mainz 1973, 144 S., DM 24,–.

O.Anderson, W. Popp, M. Schaffranek, D. Steinmetz, H. Stenger: Schätzen und Testen. Eine Einfhrung in die Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung und schließeude Statistik.Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York 1976, XI, 385 S., 68 Abb., 56 Tab., DM 19,80.

H.Bauer:Wahrscheinlichkeitstheorie und Grundzilge der Maßtheorie. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin-New York 1974, 407 S., DM 48,–.

A.M.Mathai, P.N. Rathie:Basic Concepts in Information and Statistics(Axioluatic Foundations and Applications). Wiley Eastern Limited, New Delhi 1975, X, 137 S., £ 2.75; $ 5.50.

D.F.Merriam (Hrsg.): Random Processes in Geology.Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York 1976, VIII, 168 S., 63 Abb., 18 Tab., DM 34,50.

G.Matheron: Random Sets and Integral Geometry. Wiley Series in Probability and Mathematical Statistics, J. Wiley and Sons, New York 1975, XXIII, 261 S., £ 10.60; $ 21.20.

L.Kleinrock: Queueing Systems. Volume I: Theory. J. Wiley and Sons, New York-London-Sydney-Toronto 1975, XVIII, 417 S.; £ 13.55; $ 24.30.

Bartsch, H.-J.:Mathematische Formeln, VEB Fachbuchverlag, Leipzig 1976,15. Auflage, 510 S., 362 Abb., 9,80 M.     

Book Reviews

Modern Business Statistics. George C. Canavos and Don M. Miller. New York: Duxbury Press, 1995. xxiv + 952 pp. + 3.5″ Disk. $58.95. Reviewed by Nancy Jo Delaney

Elementary Statistics Laboratory Manual (MS-DOS Version).: John D. Spurrier, Don Edwards, and Lori A. Thombs. Belmont, CA: Duxbury Press, 1995. $19.95. Reviewed by Bradley A. Hartlaub

Introduction to Probability and Statistics (9th ed.). William Mendenhall and Robert J. Beaver. Belmont, CA: Duxbury Press, 1994. xv + 704 pp. $55.95. Reviewed by Katherine Taylor Halvorsen

Environmental Statistics and Data Analysis. Wayne R. Ott. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc., 1995. xi + 313 pp. $69.95. Reviewed by Virginia M. Lesser

Statistical Data Analysis for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences. H. Jean Thiébaux. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1994. xv + 247 pp. + 3.5″ DOS Diskette. $74.95. Reviewed by Andrew R. Solow     

Book reviews

S.M.Kendall:Multivariate Analysis.Charles Griffin & Co. Ltd., London and High Wycombe 1975, 210 pp

C.T.Leondes (ed.):Control and Dynamic Systems, Advances in Theory and Applications. Vol. 11, Academic Press, New York and London 1974, 516 pp., $ 24.50.

CH. R.Nelson:Applied Time Series Analysis for Managerial Forecasting. Holden Day, Inc., San Francisco 1973, 231 pp., $ 14.95.

B.DE Finetti:Theory of Probability. Vol. 1, 2, John Wiley & Sons, New York, London, Sydney, Toronto. Vol. 1, 1974, 300 pp., £ 7.50 - Vol. 2 1975, 375 pp., £ 10.50.

P.Erdördos, J. Spencer:Probabilistic Methods in Combinatorics. Akadémic Press, New York and London; Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest 1974, 106 pp., $ 11.75.

J.S.R.Ustagi:Variational Methods in Statistics.Academic Press, New York and London 1975.

J.S.Rustagi:Optimizing Methods in Statistics.Academic Press, New York and London 1971,488 pp., $ 17.00.

Karl V. Bury:Statistical Models in Applied Science. John Wiley & Sons, New York-London-Sydney-Toronto 1975,.625 pp., £ 15.60; $ 28.00.

Michael R. Anderberg:Cluster Analysis for Applications. Academic Press, New York-San Francisco-London 1973, 359 pp., $ 27,–.

J.L.Fleiss:Statistical Methods for Rates and Proportions. John Wiley & Sons, New York-London-Sydney-Toronto 1973. 223 pp., £ 6.50.

J.Tanur et al. (Ed.):Statistics:A Guide to the Unknown. Holden Day, Inc., San Francisco 1972, 430 pp.

H.VÁliaho, T. Pekkonen:A Procedure for Stepwise Regression Analysis.Akademie-Verlag, Berlin 1976, 90 pp., 18,– M.

M.Reinfeldt, U. TrÁnkle:Signifikanztabellen statistischer Testvertellungen. R. Oldenbourg Verlag, Mnchen, Wien 1976, 151 S., DM 44,–.

R.E.Barlow, D.J.Batholomew, J.M.Bremner, H.D.Brunk:Statistical Inference Under Order Restrictions.(The Theory and Applications of Isotonic Regression.) John Wiley & Sons, New York 1972, 388 pp., £ 7.50.

H.J.Larson:Introduction to Probability Theory and Statistical Inference. Wiley, New York 1974, 430 pp., £ 6.85.

R.A.Carlson:Statistics. Holden Day, Inc., San Francisco 1973, 393 pp.

E. Page:Queueing Theory in OR. Butterworths, London 1972, 187 pp., £ 3.60.

H.Krampe, J.Kubat, W.Runge:Bedienungsmodelle. Ein Leitfaden für die praktische Anwendung, Verlag Die Wirtachaft, Berlin 1973, 512 S., 79,– M.

G.S.Fishman:Concepts and Methods in Discrete Events Digital Simulation. John Wiley & Sons, New York 1973, 385 pp., £ 8,75.     

A Cautionary Note on the Analysis of Extreme Data with Cox Regression

This article analyzes a small censored data set to demonstrate the potential dangers of using statistical computing packages without understanding the details of statistical methods. The data, consisting of censored response times with heavy ties in one time point, were analyzed with a Cox regression model utilizing SAS PHREG and BMDP2L procedures. The p values, reported from both SAS PHREG and BMDP2L procedures, for testing the equality of two treatments vary considerably. This article illustrates that (1) the Breslow likelihood used in both BMDP2L and SAS PHREG procedures is too conservative and can have a critical effect on an extreme data set, (2) Wald's test in the SAS PHREG procedure may yield absurd results from most likelihood models, and (3) BMDP2L needs to include more than just the Breslow likelihood in future development.     

Case studies in reliability and maintenance

edited by Wallace R. Blischke and D. N. Prabhakar Murthy, 2003, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA, 661 + xxvii pp., [ISBN: 0-471-41373-9]     

Reviews of Books and Teaching Materials

Understanding Basic Statistics. Charles H. Brase and Corrinne P. Brase. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997. xviii + 576 pp. $48.50. ISBN: 0-669-39812-8. Reviewed by Elizabeth Low

Statistics for Management, 7th ed. Richard I. Levin and David S. Rubin. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998. xvi + 1026 pp. $77.00. ISBN: 0-13-476-2924. Reviewed by Tom Obremski

Statistical Computing Environments for Social Research. Robert Stine and John Fox (eds.). Thousand Oaks: Sage, 1997. iv + 250 pp. $49.95 (P). ISBN: 0-7619-0270-8. Reviewed by Jonathan Nagler

Modern Engineering Statistics. Lawrence L. Lapin. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1997. xv + 583 pp. $66.95. ISBN 0-534-50883-9. Reviewed by V.A. Samaranayake, Jagdish K. Patel

Elements of Engineering Probability and Statistic. Rodger E. Ziemer. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 1997. xiv + 322 pp. $77.00. ISBN: 0-024-31620-2. Reviewed by V.A. Samaranayake, Jagdish K. Patel

Applied Statistical Methods for Business, Economics, and the Social Sciences. William L. Carlson and Betty Thorne. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1997. xxiii + 1021 pp. $77.00. ISBN 0-13-570847-8. Reviewed by Marjorie E. Bond

Statistics for Managers: Using Microsoft Excel. D.M. Levine, M.L. Berenson, and D. Stephan. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Reviewed by Marjorie E. Bond

The Ultimate Resource 2. Julian L. Simon. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1996. xlii + 734 pp. $35.00. ISBN: 0-69104-269-1. Reviewed by Thomas Wonnacott     

Reviews of Books and Teaching Materials

ActivStats 2.0.: Paul Velleman. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1998, CD-ROM, $44.25, ISBN: 0-201-31068-6.

The Active Practice of Statistics.: David S. Moore. New York: W. H. Freeman & Co., 1997, xv + 352 pp., $49.95, ISBN: ISBN 0-7167-3140-1. Reviewed by Jon Maatta

Introduction to Statistical Reasoning.: Gary Smith. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1998, xviii + 654 pp., $46.00, ISBN: 0-07-059276-4. Reviewed by Robert W. Hayden

Modern Applied Statistics with S-Plus (2nd ed.).: William N. Venables and Brian D. Ripley. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1997, xvii + 548 pp., $59.95, ISBN: 0-387-98214-0. Reviewed by Karen Kafadar James R. Koehler

A Course in Mathematical Statistics (2nd ed.): George C. Roussas. San Diego: Academic Press, 1997, xx + 572 pp., $59.95, ISBN: 0125993153. Reviewed by David W. Macky     

Reviews and Notes

Abstract

The Standard of Living Among Workingmen's Families in New York City. By Robert Coit Chapin, Ph.D., Professor of Economics in Beloit College. Russell Sage Foundation Publication, 1909. (New York: Charities Publication Committee, 105 East Twenty-Second Street, pp. xv., 372, $2.00, postpaid.) Reviewed by Warren M. Persons

Women and the Trades. By Elizabeth Beardsley Butler. Russell Sage Foundation Publication, 1909. (New York: Charities Publication Committee, 105 East Twenty-Second Street, pp. 440, $2.00, postpaid.) Reviewed by Warren M. Persons

Housing Reform, A Handbook for Practical Use in Modern Cities. By Lawrence Veiller. Copyright, Russell Sage Foundation, New York, 1910. Reviewed by Eleanor H. Woods.

An Analysis of the United States Steel Corporation With Chart of Quarterly Earnings Since Its Organization. By Charles Wilson Taintor. Boston, 1909.     

Telegraphic Reviews

Experiment Design and Statistical Methods for Behavioral and Social Research.: David R. Boniface. London: Chapman and Hall, 1995. vii + 264 pp. $25.95.

Learning SAS in the Computer Lab.: Rebecca J. Elliott. Belmont, CA: Duxbury Press, 1995. × + 175 pp. $14.95.     

Book reviews

E. Kofler, G. Menges: Entscheidungen bei unvollständiger Information. Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems 136. Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-NewYork 1976, 357 S., DM 31.

B. S. Everitt: The Analysis ot Contingency Tables. Chapman and Han, London 1977, 128 S., £ 3.75.

O. Barndorff-Nielsen: Information and Exponential Families in Statistical Theory. J. Wiley & Sons, Chichester-New York-Brisbane-Toronto 1978, 247 S., £ 13.50; $ 28.50.

W. Gilchrist: Statisticai Forecasting. J. Wiley & Sons, London-New York-Sydney-Toronto 1976, 321 S., £ 9.50; $ 19.00.

J. M. Chambers: Computational Methods for Data Analysis. J. Wiley & Sons, New York Chichester-Brisbane-Toronto 1977, 279 pp., £ 11.30.

A. Hughes, D. Grawoig: Statistics: A Foundation for Analysis. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Reading-Menlo-Park London-Don Mills 1971, 525 S., $ 11.50.

K.Krickeberg, H.Ziezold: Stochastiche Methoden. Springer Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York 1977, 201 S., 13 Abb., DM 28.

Ch. Schneeweiss: Inventory-Production Theory. A Linear Policy Approach. Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems 151. Springer Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-NewYork 1977, 122 S., 13 Abb., 9 Tab., DM 18.

S. Dworatschek: Grundlagen der Datenverarbeltung, 6., völlig neu bearb. u. erw. Aufl., Walter de Gruyter, Berlin-New York 1977, 538 S., 200 Abb., 212 Üb.Aufg., 59 Fotos, DM 38.

H. E. Steinhagen, S. Fuchs:Objekterkennung. Einführung in die mathematischen Methoden der Zeichenerkennung. VEB Verlag Technik, Berlin 1976, 436 S., 165 Abb., 32 Tab., 49,–.M.

G. Tinhofer: Mathematik für Studlenanfänger, Carl Hanser Verlag, München 1977, 464 S., 191 Abb., DM 38.