Comparing Student Attitudes to Spreadsheet and Advanced Statistical Packages

Authors

Angela R. Surrusco, University of Rhode Island
Zachary J. Kunicki, University of Rhode Island
Sarah L. DiPerri, University of Rhode Island
Marie C. Tate, University of Rhode Island
Megan M. Risi, University of Rhode Island
Nicholas S. Zambrotta, University of Rhode Island
Lisa L. Harlow, University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

4-1-2021

Abstract

The statistical package chosen to aid in teaching quantitative methods is at the instructor’s discretion, but little research has investigated student attitude toward these different packages. This study compared Google Sheets, a spreadsheet package similar to Microsoft Excel, and a traditional package, SPSS, to determine which of the two programs students preferred to use. One hundred and thirty-nine students enrolled in a quantitative methods course completed surveys at the middle and end of the semester during Spring 2016 and Fall 2016. The results suggested Google Sheets was preferred to SPSS at both time points, and attitudes toward Google Sheets improved over time. Further research could investigate the perspectives of students in other levels of experience with statistics and other statistical packages.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Teaching of Psychology

Volume

48

Issue

2

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Surrusco, Angela R., Zachary J. Kunicki, Sarah L. DiPerri, Marie C. Tate, Megan M. Risi, Nicholas S. Zambrotta, and Lisa L. Harlow. "Comparing Student Attitudes to Spreadsheet and Advanced Statistical Packages." Teaching of Psychology 48, 2 (2021): 124-129. doi: 10.1177/0098628320977264.