In January, 2008, WSU jumped two versions from SPSS 14 to SPSS 16, deploying the latest edition of the professional data analysis and visualization tool that has been a staple on campus for many years. All WSU students and employees are free to install SPSS 16 on their laptops for use in class and for research purposes.  

SPSS 16 is not a scaled-down or educational version of the real tool. It's the same one the pros use and the chances are that good that students who go on to solve business or research problems in any capacity will be using either SPSS or SAS (which is also available to WSU students). SPSS 16 goes beyond the capabilities of spreadsheets like Microsoft Excel by providing an integrated and powerful set of data management, analysis, and reporting functions. SPSS 16 includes support for Mac OS X and Microsoft Office 2007, a more flexible chart editor, a re-architected user interface, and many other improvements.

Tools like SPSS 16 play an important role in educating students to plan and conduct research and use data effectively to make decisions and learn about the world around them. The use of SPSS by WSU students cuts across academic disciplines and includes courses in Psychology, Nursing, and Communication Studies as well as Math, Statistics, and other sciences.