Selecting a Scientific Graphing and Data Analysis Software

Selecting a Scientific Graphing and Data Analysis Software

3. For whom is scientific graphing and data analysis software designed?

   Scientific graphing and data analysis software products may be designed for distinct professions or industries, or for a broad range of professions or industries. For example, some software products are designed to meet the needs of academic researchers who require advanced procedures. Other products are useful for professionals who require publication-quality graphs to report their findings. Still others combine advanced procedures and publication-quality graphs in the same product.

   The following table summarizes targeted users and specific applications for each of the data analysis software product categories.

   Software	User	Applications
   Spreadsheet software	Business professionals Financial analysts	Simple plotting Basic data manipulation Basic modeling
   Visualization software	Scientists Engineers	Presentation graphics Limited image processing Real-time visualization
   Statistical software	Statisticians Researchers	Multivariate analysis Time-series analysis Regression analysis Hypotheses testing
   Data analysis and technical graphics software	Scientists Engineers Researchers Other technical professionals	Data preprocessing (smoothing, FFT) Exploring relationships Time series analysis Basic statistical analysis (regression, ANOVA) Curve fitting/modeling Presentation graphics

    

4. How do scientific graphing and data analysis software products differ from other software products, for example, business and spreadsheet software products?

   Scientific graphing and data analysis software allows access, visualization, analysis, and presentation of data collected by researchers, engineers, and scientists. Scientific graphing and data analysis software provides the following attributes rarely found in spreadsheets and business software:

   Features

   Large selection of analysis and plotting tools.

   Data handling

   Ability to handle many types of data and large datasets.

   Automation

   Enhancement of productivity by automating routine tasks.

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