Why don’t more survey software packages offer zip code validation or real e-mail address validation? I don’t just mean syntax validation — anyone can offer that (although it is interesting that not everyone does). I mean real zip code validation where the postal code is looked up in a database or an e-mail address is tested as soon as it is entered to verify that it is real. It seems that both of these features would be easy to implement and would be of much use to the client.
Data Analysis Software
IBM SPSS Statistics 19 New Features
by Mark Kupferman • • 4 Comments
IBM/SPSS have posted to their web site the features of IBM SPSS Statistics 19, the latest version of SPSS for 2010 (known briefly for a time as PASW Statistics). New features include general linear mixed models, faster performance, a statistics web portal, automated linear models, a few syntax editor improvements, default measurement levels, a few new direct marketing capabilities and integration with the (new) IBM SPSS Collaboration and Deployment Services system.
Miscellaneous
JayBird Wireless Sportsband Bluetooth Headphones
by Mark Kupferman • • 7 Comments
In my continuing effort to promote products and things that I like, I just wanted to say a few nice words about the JayBird Sportsband Bluetooth Headphones (SB2). I originally bought a set of these when they were first released in the beginning of January, 2010 and have really enjoyed owning them ever since! They work with my computer, my phone, my iPod, my iPad and my television set. They sound good, the fit comfortably, and they take a beating.
Data Analysis Software
IBM SPSS Statistics 19.0 Thoughts
by Mark Kupferman • • 13 Comments
The release of IBM SPSS Statistics 19.0 is in the offing, so I thought I taken my traditional opportunity to rant about the Java platform that SPSS moved to after version 15 and offer a few suggestions regarding what SPSS could do to make me want to switch to SPSS 19 when it is released. Variable Folders and cleaner, simpler cut/paste options would go a long way to get me past my intense dislike of the Java-based interface.
Miscellaneous
Flipboard for iPad is Beautiful
by Mark Kupferman • • 1 Comment
Miscellaneous
Just One Mark Kupferman in the USA?
by Mark Kupferman • • 0 Comments
Have you visited the program HowManyOfMe.com? It allows you to enter any name and instantly see how many of the 309 million people in the United States share that name. It says that there is only one #mark kupferman in the United States. It is based on statistical data from the US Census Bureau, so…
Marketing Research
Replicating Multiple Conditional Display Variables in Sawtooth using Javascript
by Mark Kupferman • • 0 Comments
Version 6.4 of Sawtooth Software’s SSI Web allows you to use conditional relationships to display specific text based on the combination of up to four separate attributes. However, for a recent project I did where I needed to combine the results of seven attributes in order to display a certain price, the built in capabilities wasn’t enough and I had to use Javascript to achieve my goal. In case anyone is interested, here is (basically) how I did it.
Miscellaneous
Orlando BMW Repair Recommendation
by Mark Kupferman • • 0 Comments
This week I brought my 2001 BMW 325 convertible to BMW Tech LLC in Orlando for a number of long-overdue repairs and adjustments. It is a small shop located off of Orange Blossom Trail just south of the BMW dealership. The service is amazing; the prices are fair and the owner/technician who worked on my car is about as honest and forthright as I’ve ever experienced. I wholeheartedly recommend BMW Tech LCC for anyone who needs BMW service or BMW repair in the Orlando area.
Internet Survey Software
Confirmit Flex Announced
by Mark Kupferman • • 0 Comments
Confirmit, one of the biggest online research software companies (they make the survey software that the big research firms use) has announced Confirmit Flex, a new application platform that makes it possible to create new data collection applications/tools very quickly while maintaining consistently high performance, scalability, and security.
Data Analysis Software
Ruby Tabulation Software
by Mark Kupferman • • 0 Comments
Tim Macer of meaning ltd. wrote an article about Ruby Tabluation Software from the Australian firm Red Centre Software. I’ve always struggled way ways to automate the analysis and reporting on my ongoing surveys so I was intrigued. I signed up for the trial (they were very flexible — first they spent about an hour and a half with me on a webinar and then they let me try the full, unencumbered version of the software for more than a month) and fell in love with it.
Data Analysis Software
PASW Statistics 18.0 (SPSS Statistics) New Features
by Mark Kupferman • • 5 Comments
SPSS has announced the new features that they plan to the upcoming release of PASW Statistics 18 (formerly know as SPSS Statistics 18, or SPSS Base).
Marketing Research
20 Questions a Journalist Should Ask About Poll Results
by Mark Kupferman • • 0 Comments
I came across a particularly good article on the web site of the National Council on Public Polls by Sheldon Gawiser and G. Evans Witt entitled, “20 Questions a Journalist Should Ask About Poll Results.” Im not a journalist — but what I find particularly helpful about this article is that it helps me understand the way other people are viewing (or should be viewing) my research and gives me some great things to think about when I’m putting together my own projects.
Internet Survey Software
Online Survey Content Security Doesn’t Exist
by Mark Kupferman • • 0 Comments
There is no way to protect the content that you display in your survey from falling into the wrong hands. If you have a secret product or concept , your best bet for keeping it secret is not to test it using online research.
Marketing Research
Selecting the Right Respondents for your Survey (Setting your Quotas)
by Mark Kupferman • • 1 Comment
Not all respondents are created equal. It’s true. Just because you can convince someone to take your survey doesn’t mean you necessarily want them to take your survey. In fact, ensuring that the right respondents take your survey (in the right proportions) is probably among the most important things you can do to ensure that you finish your project with survey results that you can use.
Data Analysis Software
SPSS Statistics 17.0 Frustrates Me (a review)
by Mark Kupferman • • 0 Comments
I finally received my copy of SPSS Statistics 17 a couple of days ago and determined that I would try to push past my frustration with the “new and improved” Java-based interface and use it to analyze some data for a report I’m working on. But I can’t do it. There aren’t enough compelling features in the new version of SPSS to help me get past my frustration with the Java interface. So I’m sticking with SPSS 15.
Internet Survey Software
Favorite Survey Software Packages for 2008
by Mark Kupferman • • 1 Comment
I know I said I wasn’t going to do this, but I get asked this question a lot so I’ve caving in. Here are my (current) favorite survey software packages: Qualtrics: (internet survey software) has a fantastic variety of question types with a really easy to use survey development system. Also features advanced survey branching…
Data Analysis Software
SPSS 18 New Features Survey
by Mark Kupferman • • 0 Comments
SPSS has been conducting a survey for the last couple of weeks to help them develop SPSS Statistics 18 (the “new” name of what has formerly just been known as SPSS 17). One generally imagines that the questions that are asked provide insight into the types of new features they are considering,
Marketing Research
Great Statistical Resource: The Analysis Factor StatChat
by Mark Kupferman • • 0 Comments
Statistical consultant Karen Grace-Martin launched a new blog in July, 2008 called “StatChat” which makes a lot of relevant, important, but sometimes hard to grasp statistical concepts easy to understand. Categories of postings include linear regression, missing data, spss, sas, anova, factor analysis, and sample size — things that all market research deal with on a regular basis (whether they like it or not!).
Data Analysis Software
SPSS 17.0 Features Announced
by Mark Kupferman • • 0 Comments
SPSS has announced SPSS 17.0, which will feature improved research and reporting tools, greater accessibility for business users combined with new functionality for statistical programmers, and easier enterprise integration, deployment and management.
Data Analysis Software
SPSS or Excel
by Mark Kupferman • • 9 Comments
Why use a data analysis package like SPSS when you could use Excel? I’ve just come across an interesting marketing piece from SPSS that goes into benefits one gets from using a dedicated data analysis package instead of trying to do all of your analysis in a spreadsheet. While it would be fair to expect that this isn’t necessary an unbiased comparison, it might offer some food for thought to those of you trying to figure out why you should bother to upgrade.