1. Home
  2. Predictive Analytics Software
  3. IBM SPSS Statistics Reviews
  4. User Review of IBM SPSS Statistics
SPSS - The Good and the Bad
September 13, 2021

SPSS - The Good and the Bad

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Modules Used

  • IBM SPSS Statistics

Overall Satisfaction with IBM SPSS

We use IBM SPSS to view and analyze raw survey data. It's an integral tool for quantitative data analysis. It allows us to see the data simultaneously in its numeric code form and the data labels, whereas looking at raw data in [Microsoft] Excel you must choose one or the other. It allows you to run a quick analysis and easily set up the data for a more robust and user-friendly analysis in other research software.
  • Allows you to view data in both its numeric and labeled form
  • Runs quick frequencies and crosstabs
  • Ability to write syntax for repetitive tasks
  • Licensing is a nightmare - whether purchasing a new license or trying to transfer an existing license to a new computer, it's a very difficult process.
  • [IBM SPSS] has a steep learning curve.
  • [Because it is a] data intensive program, [it] sometimes slows your computer down and crashes.
We wouldn't be able to operate without IBM SPSS. The alternative would be viewing and analyzing the raw data in [Microsoft] Excel, which would add a significant amount of time and headache to our operations. It's hard to say exactly how much time and efficiency it saves because it's a tool I've used my entire career and initially learned in college, so I've never known what it's like to not have this tool.
Again, this question is hard to answer because we've always used IBM SPSS. It's a must-have tool for us and I've never experienced "life" without it. We have [increased efficiency] by combining [IBM] SPSS with other tools, such as Alteryx and Q Research Software. Using these combinations of tools has allowed us to [increase our efficiency] in our processes that wouldn't be possible otherwise, but [IBM] SPSS is the foundation (that is, we start with [IBM] SPSS and then import that data into tools such as Alteryx and Q [Research Software]).
We actually use both Q Research Software and IBM SPSS. We started using Q [Research Software] about 5 years ago and initially thought it would replace [IBM] SPSS. While you technically can view .sav files directly in Q [Research Software], we found that the two softwares are good at different things. [IBM] SPSS is better at viewing the raw data as a whole (e.g. in spreadsheet format) and looking at data on the respondent level. Q [Research Software] is great at running complex analyses very quickly and in a user-friendly format. We use the two programs in tandem - we start with [IBM] SPSS where we format, check, and run high-level analyses. We, then, import that data into Q [Research Software] where we can create crosstabs and run more detailed analyses.
Overall, I would recommend [IBM] SPSS because there is no other tool I'm aware of that allows you to view raw data and run a quick analysis as easily. It's an essential tool for any market research professional. That being said, there is a steep learning curve and you must have a strong understanding of statistics in order to really get a lot of use out of it. The licensing is also a nightmare and we have had issues with both purchasing new licenses and transferring existing ones to new computers. That being said, the program is so integral to our day-to-day work that I would still ultimately recommend it.