SOLAS™ Reviews

“Any data analyst will have experienced problems with incomplete data and the biases they can introduce into our results. Although the major statistical packages provide basic missing values analysis (primarily univariate techniques), there is a gap in the statistical software market incorporating more advanced techniques. Statistical Solutions, the designers of SOLAS™ , believe that they have filled the gap. SOLAS™ is a Windows-based application boasting several methods of missing data imputation, including the simpler methods mentioned above, such as imputing the group mean and using regression methods. However, its highlight is multiple imputation, where several values are imputed for each missing value rather than one, overcoming the major drawback of univariate techniques -underestimating the variance. The package also provides basic statistical analysis, such as ANOVA, regression and non-parametric tests. A 300-page manual accompanies the software, together with example data sets. The manual is clearly written and provides many screen-shots and examples to guide the reader. Despite this, researchers who are not fully up to speed on replacing missing values, particularly using the multiple imputation technique, will need to take some time to learn the principles in order to fully appreciate what SOLAS™” can do. Indeed it may be necessary, and I am sure beneficial, for any new user to attend a workshop. As with any new software, time and thought will have to be given in order to become competent in its use and, as SOLAS™ is currently the only software of its kind, this would be more than worthwhile.”

Kate North, Paediatric and Perinatal
Epidemiology 1999, 13, 498

“This package will be valuable to any analyst that has to deal with missing data on a daily basis.”

John A Wass, Biotechnology Software
and Internet Journal, July /Aug., ‘99

“The manual contains a number of positive features and is well organised that both the new and experienced analyst are urged to read most of it. There is a completeness about it that is rarely achieved in software manuals.”

John A Wass, Biotechnology Software
and Internet Journal, July /Aug., ‘99

“In general, SOLAS™ is an easy-to-work with program. The display windows are well organized and the desired option is usually easy to find. The importing and exporting capabilities are quite good and an easy to follow reference guide is provided with the program”

Coen A. Bernaards, Structural
Equations Modelling, Vol. 6 No. 3, 1999

“The core of the program, missing value imputation is a solid addition to the statistical software armamentarium and is simple to utilize.”

John A Wass, Biotechnology Software
and Internet Journal, July /Aug., ‘99