Computer-based methodology laboratories: 2. First-year graduate courses in data analysis

A graduate student microcomputer laboratory was set up with IBM PS/2 microcomputers to teach data analysis techniques in the first-year course sequence at West Virginia University. Microcomputer versions of SAS and SPSS statistical programs were incorporated into homework assignments. The lab was managed by a graduate assistant, and another graduate student provided consultation on software usage and homework problems. This shift from the use of mainframe to microcomputer statistical software allowed an increase in the number of assigned homework exercises and easier integration of statistical output into the writing of research reports.