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IBM SPSS Statistics pros and cons

Vendor: IBM
4.0 out of 5
1,886 followers
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Pros & Cons summary

IBM SPSS Statistics offers transparency and confidence with dataset views post-transformation, features easy-to-create custom tables and macros for broad audience reports, and excels in machine learning and statistical modeling. User-friendly and ideal for novices, SPSS supports basic analyses but struggles with large datasets and lacks efficient data visualization. Improvements are needed in documentation, advanced modeling, predictive features, and technical support to enhance analytical performance and meet modern data handling expectations.

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

The learning curve to using SPSS is not steep, making it appropriate for users without extensive programming backgrounds.
SPSS offers extensive statistical analysis features like regression analysis, machine learning algorithms, and Bayesian statistics that are beneficial for a wide range of analyses.
SPSS provides valuable resources such as an algorithm handbook, allowing users to understand and implement algorithms without needing to write their own code.
SPSS is capable of handling large datasets, offering robust capabilities for comprehensive data analysis tasks like predictive analytics and multidimensional analysis.
SPSS provides good visualization and consistency across research projects, aiding in effective data analysis and interpretation.

CONS

Visualization in SPSS is not user-friendly, requiring improvements in graph and chart capabilities.
Documentation is lacking on macro usage, leading to confusion for beginners.
The software does not support big data efficiently, slowing down with large datasets.
Graphical outputs are considered outdated and need aesthetic improvements.
Reports require more detailed explanations, especially for multiple analyses.
 

IBM SPSS Statistics Pros review quotes

reviewer1386300 - PeerSpot reviewer
Dec 13, 2020
The features that I have found most valuable are the Bayesian statistics and descriptive statistics.
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EzzAbdelfattah - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 3, 2020
It is a modeling tool with helpful automation.
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YH
Dec 19, 2019
They have many existing algorithms that we can use and use effectively to analyze and understand how to put our data to work to improve what we do.
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Buyer's Guide
IBM SPSS Statistics
February 2025
Free Report: IBM SPSS Statistics Reviews and More
Learn what your peers think about IBM SPSS Statistics. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
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EzzAbdelfattah - PeerSpot reviewer
Jan 26, 2020
In terms of the features I've found most valuable, I'd say the duration, the correlation, and of course the nonparametric statistics. I use it for reliability and survival analysis, time series, regression models in different solutions, and different types of solutions.
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director194919 - PeerSpot reviewer
Oct 19, 2021
The SPSS interface is very accessible and user-friendly. It's really easy to get information in it. I've shared it with experts and beginners, and everyone can navigate it.
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OO
Jun 1, 2023
One feature I found very valuable was the analysis of variance (ANOVA).
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Patrick Scolyer-Gray - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 20, 2022
SPSS can handle whatever you throw at it, whether your data set contains 10,000, 100,000, or a million objects. It's like the heavy artillery of analytical tools.
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reviewer1373523 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 9, 2020
Since we are using the software as a statistical tool, I would say the best aspects of it are the regression and segmentation capabilities. That said, I've used it for all sorts of things.
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AltanAtabarut - PeerSpot reviewer
Dec 5, 2019
The best part is that they have an algorithm handbook, so you can open it up and understand how it works, and if it is useful, this is very important.
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AM
Nov 13, 2019
Most of the product features are good but I particularly like the linear regression analysis.
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IBM SPSS Statistics Cons review quotes

reviewer1386300 - PeerSpot reviewer
Dec 13, 2020
I know that SPSS is a statistical tool but it should also include a little bit of analytical behavior. You can call it augmented analysis or predictive analysis. The bottom line is it should have more graphical and analytical capabilities.
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EzzAbdelfattah - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 3, 2020
It could allow adding color to data models to make them easier to interpret.
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YH
Dec 19, 2019
The product should provide more ways to import data and export results that are user-friendly for high-level executives.
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Buyer's Guide
IBM SPSS Statistics
February 2025
Free Report: IBM SPSS Statistics Reviews and More
Learn what your peers think about IBM SPSS Statistics. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
DOWNLOAD NOW
839,422 professionals have used our research since 2012.
EzzAbdelfattah - PeerSpot reviewer
Jan 26, 2020
Most of the package will give you the fixed value, or the p-value, without an explanation as to whether it it significant or not. Some beginners might need not just the results, but also some explanation for them.
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director194919 - PeerSpot reviewer
Oct 19, 2021
I'd like to see them use more artificial intelligence. It should be smart enough to do predictions and everything based on what you input.
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OO
Jun 1, 2023
I feel that when it comes to conducting multiple analyses, there could be more detailed information provided. Currently, the software gives a summary and an overview, but it would be beneficial to have specific details for each product or variable.
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Patrick Scolyer-Gray - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 20, 2022
SPSS is a tool that's been around since the late 60s, and it's the universal worldwide standard for quantitative social science data analysis. That said, it does seem a bit strange to me that the graphical output functions are so clunky after all these years. The output of charts and graphs that SPSS produces is hideous.
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reviewer1373523 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 9, 2020
It would be helpful if there was better documentation on how to properly use the solution. A beginner's guide on how to use the various programming functions within the product would be so useful to a lot of people. I found that everything was very confusing at first. Having clear documentation would help alleviate that.
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AltanAtabarut - PeerSpot reviewer
Dec 5, 2019
The statistics should be more self-explanatory with detailed automated reports.
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AM
Nov 13, 2019
I think the visualization and charting should be changed and made easier and more effective.
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Show 10 more reviews (out of 33)

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