Comparison of Minitab and R for Statistical Analysis

This study is a technical report that compares the efficiency and accuracy of Minitab Statistical Software with open-source R Studio for non-statisticians conducting common statistical analyses. The research focuses on three methods: two-sample t-tests, classification trees, and control charts. A total of 27 subjects participated, primarily students aged 18 to 25, who analyzed problems using both software packages in a randomized order to ensure unbiased results. The assessment measured the accuracy of analyses and the time taken to complete them. Findings indicated that Minitab achieved an 81% success rate in analysis and interpretation, significantly outperforming R's 51%. Additionally, Minitab users completed analyses in under 4 minutes, while R users took over 10 minutes, demonstrating Minitab's efficiency. The report concludes that Minitab is a more reliable tool for non-statisticians, facilitating accurate and timely statistical analyses, which is crucial for informed decision-making in organizations.