Help with stats
Dr. Neil Millar Head of Biology at Heckmondwike Grammar School has created a statistical package called Merlin. It runs as an add-on to Microsoft Excel. It allows you to answer a series of questions about your data. It then selects the best statistical test for you to use. You then type in your data and the computer calculates your statistics and draws charts for you.
This is how it is described on the Heckmondwike site.
Merlin is our statistics software for biology students. We use it to make A-level biology statistics as easy as possible. There are no calculations and no look-up tables, so students can concentrate on choosing the right statistical test and drawing the correct conclusion. By using Merlin, students also improve their ICT skills and learn to use Excel for drawing charts and presenting data.
•Merlin is an add-in for Microsoft Excel, so is easy to use.
•Merlin is completely free of charge. Copy it to as many computers as you like.
•Merlin adds over 30 new functions and 6 charts to Excel's existing capabilities.
•Merlin's functions can be typed in to a cell like any other function, or inserted using Excel's function wizard.
•The statistical functions return P-values directly from the raw data in one simple step. No need for look-up tables, intermediate test statistics or degrees of freedom.
•All Merlin's functions and graphs are dynamic, which means that the output is updated automatically whenever the source cells are changed.
•Merlin includes detailed help for all the functions and graphs. Just go to the Help menu.
•An example Excel spreadsheet demonstrates the use of each function and graph.
•Merlin also includes a basic introduction to statistics for biology students. This includes examples of the main tests and problems for students to solve. The introduction is aimed at A-level students, but may also be useful to undergraduates and teachers, as well as students studying social sciences or geography.
If you would like to be able to use this invaluable tool then you can download it from here
