STATA as a subject
STATA is statistical software that is mostly used for research purposes in the fields of sociology, economics, political science, and others. It is used for the purposes of data management, custom programming, statistical analysis, regression, graphics, simulation, and so on. The term Stata comes from the words Statistics and data, and the software was developed by the StataCorp in 1985.
The application of Stata can be taught to students who are prepping for research as well as to students of statistics. This blog shall enlist 100 ways to solve STATA homework to help students with their assignments.
Problems faced by students
More often than not, students who try to work with the software are confronted with certain problems, the most common ones being:
- Lack of knowledge. The software can be difficult to use for students who have no previous experience in the technical field. As a consequence, even though it can be really easy and convenient to use, a lot of researchers avoid it because they are unaware of the technicalities.
- No initiation. It is a problem that students are not introduced to the software in many academic institutes. This can be a brilliant way to urge students to make acquaintance with the software and with expert guidance; they can learn how to make the best use of it. Proper guidance with the software is therefore of paramount importance.
- One has to know the appropriate code to employ state for their research purposes. This takes an understanding of coding and can be intimidating.
What kind of STATA assignments can a student be required to deal with?
For those students who are actually taking a course a STATA, there awaits a number of assignments that they might be required to deal with. Some of those assignments can be:
- Data Management
- Analysis of Variance
- Statistical Problem Solving
- Community Project
- Dynamic factor models
- Time series analysis
- Frequency and Contingency tables
- Biostatistics
- Panel and Cross Sectional data
- Applied Econometrics, and so on.
Each of these assignments is subject specific and extend unique challenges to the students. Nevertheless, none of them are too difficult and they can be solved with the correct approach and guidance. What is more is that they offer a learning opportunity to the students.
100 ways to solve STATA Homework
- Understanding the Assignment
Before you can hope to begin an assignment, you must understand what the efforts it would require of you are
- Learning about STATA
The first effort that it would require is for the student to know how the software can be used to solve the assignment.
- Double-layered problem
The student would require having knowledge of two things: how STATA works, and how it can possibly contribute to solve the assignment.
- Choice of Topic
The topic of assignment must be chosen wisely by the student if they have an option to choose.
- Area of Interest
It is easier to work on an assignment if it is related to the student’s area of assignment. So, for instance, if it is a sociological research where one would be using STATA, they should choose to research on something that particularly interests them.
- Pay attention in class
They are no alternative to this. One must be attentive in class and learn all they can about STATA from the classroom lectures.
- Take notes
There is no chance that a student is going to remember all that they hear in a class, so it is advisable to take notes about the important things as and when mentioned
- Do your homework
One cannot hope to solve a complicated STATA assignment at once. Doing one’s homework regularly will familiarize them with the subject
- Do your own research
Apart from the classroom lectures, one should make their own efforts to learn whatever they can about the subject. They can YouTube lectures to improve their knowledge
- Clarify doubts
While attending the classes or doing the homework, if a doubt arises, the students must immediately reach out to their teachers for a clarification.
- Learn the codes
The use of the software would require one to learn the codes that are used, the earlier one starts the better it is.
- Practice makes perfect
The more one practices with the codes, the better grasp they shall have on it
- Books are your best friends
To know more and more about STATA and the ways it can be used for your assignment, read books on STATA and its uses, and the codes.
- Challenge yourself
Learning the codes and parroting them alone will not do the job; one must try and explore the codes to figure out how they can fit into their own assignments.
- Plan the assignment
Once the student is familiar with STATA and its uses, it is time to plan the assignment
- Divide it into various parts
No student can complete an entire assignment in one day. It is better to make a chart and divide the work over a period of a week or so.
- Time duration
The time duration may vary depending on the depth of the project. Some might take a week, some a month, some even more. The usage of this time duration must be wisely planned.
- Decide your sources
A research work would require its primary and secondary sources of information, select your sources and verify their authenticity.
- Collect the data
STATA has to be fed the collected data manually before it can perform the analysis or whatever other job it is meant to perform. The data must be collected beforehand by the user.
- Go through various sources
Go through various digital and print media sources to collect your data.
- Organize the information
Begin to catalogue the date that would be useful for your research topic.
- Make extra notes
Maintain separate lists of the sources used and the sources that could be useful in future.
- Prepare for surveys
If your research requires field survey, prepare for it beforehand.
- Decide upon your subjects
Determine the group and then subgroup of people, animals, or products – whatever you want to conduct the survey on
- Choose subjects carefully
One should choose subjects who would be easily accessible.
- Human subjects
If you need human subjects, consult them beforehand and see if they are willing to help.
- Trial session
When a large number of subjects have to included, one should carry out a trial session to see the success rate. If the subjects seem unwilling to help, they should think of changing their topic
- Fix times for the survey
Decide the time to carry out the surveys.
- Get the equipment
Arrange the equipment that would be required to carry out the survey.
- Reach the place on time
Reach the place of survey on time.
- Prepare a questionnaire beforehand
Have a questionnaire ready so that the survey can be carried out smoothly.
- Consult the teachers
Consult your teachers regarding the preparation of the questionnaire, and insert relevant questions.
- Adequate number of question
There should be an adequate number of questions so as to jot down significant data.
- Decide the number of subjects
The number of subjects must also be sufficient to use the collected data as an indicator of the inferences that would be eventually drawn.
- Language of the questionnaire
If the survey involves human subjects, the language used should be comprehensible to be the target subjects.
- Allot time period
Allot specific time period to the field work and complete the same within the stipulated time.
- Ask friends to help
Carrying out surveys or gathering data alone can be a huge task and one can ask friends for help.
- Be sensible about the questions
As long as human subjects are involved, the questions should be framed judiciously. They must not be insulting or intrusive.
- Go through the collected data
Once the survey is over, one should go through the data collected to see if they have done things correctly.
- Fix the errors
Minor or major errors might occur while collecting the data; they should be immediately corrected during the verification.
- Think of the possible conclusion
The student should be able to make an educated guess about the possible conclusion from the data collected.
- Note down the inference
In case such a conclusion can be framed, it should be noted down. The next step would be to verify the data and use the STATA for analysis.
- Double check your data
Any mistakes at this point will cost the student a lot. To prevent any mistakes in the use of data, one must double check them and make sure they have authentic data on their hands.
- Plan the code
The student must have an idea about the code they would be required to use to execute the work. This should be planned beforehand.
- Consult experts
In case of any confusion, the students should seek guidance. They can reach out to their teacher for help or they can look for help online.
- Consult related books
Consult as many related sources as you can. The more you read the more you shall know about STATA.
- Access the lab and library
Access the lab to keep practicing STATA codes and try to make the most of all the books available in the library related to your work.
- Consult seniors
Seniors who have worked on the same beforehand can be of great help and can provide perfect guidance.
- Write down the code
Before executing the work, it is better to go for a practice session where the student can write down the code and see if they are missing out on anything.
- Start inputting the data
Once the students are confident about the data they have collected and the method, they should start inputting the data.
- Work without distractions
To avoid possible errors, one should always try to work without distractions.
- The correct environment
The appropriate environment for work is an absolute necessity. Try and ensure privacy in the working area so no one barges in and disrupts the work.
- Get rid of the gadgets
Gadgets like cell phone and tabs can be distracting so it is best to put them away while working
- No social media
Checking ones social media a thousand times while doing a work only delays the work and leads to mistakes.
- Organized approach
Organize all the necessities, laptop, calculator and everything else in one place before starting the work.
- Keep the data at hand
The data that the student is going to use should be kept at hand in hard copy so it can be reached out to and consulted every time it is required.
- Keep the books around
This will help in cases where the student might happen to find themselves stuck with the assignment. The book can possibly provide them with a solution they need.
- Use the internet
The internet practically has an answer to everything, so if you are stuck with a problem, the best way to look for a solution is to do it on the internet.
- Plan a healthy working routine
These assignments can be demanding and if not approached cautiously they can take a toll on the students’ health. Hence, it is important to plan a healthy work routine.
- Do no work for too many hours at a stretch
While planning the work routine, make sure you allot breaks for yourself after every 60 minutes.
- Do not work for more than 5 hours a day
After college, working for 5 hours can be immensely hectic. The student should try to limit their working hours to 3 and stretch the work out over more number of days. If the choice is not available, they should limit the work within 5 hours.
- Rest your eyes
Working in front of the computer for hours is terrible for the eyes. Every 20 minutes one should rest the eyes by keeping it closed for duration of 30 seconds.
- Wash your eyes with cold water
During the hourly breaks, one should wash their eyes with cold water.
- Use eye masks
After working before the computer for hours, one can rest for a while by putting on a cold eye mask which prevents inflammation.
- Do not fidget over a problem
If a certain part is not working out, do not fidget over it. Think it through, and when you’ve been stuck for a long time, take a break from the work.
- Get back to it later
We often become blind to apparent flaws when we try to focus too hard. Leave the problem and get back to it after a while. The error would be easier to spot.
- Mind your spine
Coding in front of the computer for hours can lead to backaches and other health issues. Therefore, one should try to sit on a straight back chair or against a supportive wall to avoid unnecessary pains and troubles.
- The structure of the assignment
You must have the structure of the assignment in your mind beforehand.
- Use the analysis
Use the analysis generated by STATA to derive your inference.
- Be productive
Work on something that would indeed lead to a value addition.
- Do not panic
If at any point the assignment seems to be spiralling out of control, do not panic.
- Stay in charge
Since you are executing the entire work, it is in your control, remember that when you begin to stress.
- Stop and think
If a crisis arises, stop and think what might have gone wrong.
- Segregate the work
Divide the work into different parts like collection of data, input of data, and use of code and think where the error could have possibly occurred.
- Stay attentive
Staying attentive reduces the chances of making errors in the first place.
- Scan thoroughly
Relax and scan the work thoroughly to find out where the error might be lurking.
- Take breaks to avoid errors
When you begin to feel exhausted, leave the work or a burdened brain increases the chances of making mistakes.
- Grab some snacks
Hunger can make you impatient, so do not forget to grab a snack every now and then.
- Listen to music
Listening to music clears and refreshes the mind, and therefore helps to return to work with better focus.
- Take naps
20 minutes’ nap can work wonders in improving the memory.
- Do not procrastinate
Take breaks but do not leave the work pending for an indefinite amount of time.
- Finish what you started
If you have started with one part of the project, try to finish it at once and if each part is too long divide them into sub-parts and finish the allotted task.
- Stick to the routine
At all costs stick to the routine that was created before starting the work.
- Make adjustments if necessary
During the course of the assignment, some adjustments in the routine might seem necessary and must be made.
- Systematic progress
The progress should however be systematic.
- Consult friends
If necessary one can try talking to their friends about the assignment.
- Arrange for group study
A group study session can be great for clarifying doubts and exchange of knowledge.
- Check out online academic forums
If you start facing problems you can check out online academic forums and start discussions to look for solutions.
- Save the work
Never forget to save the work that has already been done
- Save data on STATA
STATA can save data and reproduce it on demand, use this feature to save all your data
- Keep a backup
Keep a backup of the work on a pen drive or hard disk to ensure you don’t accidentally end up losing it
- Update your guide
From time to time keep updating your guide about the progress of the work, ask for advice where necessary
- Make sure you are not skipping steps
While entering the data or writing the code, make sure you are not missing anything our.
- Check every day’s work regularly
After completing each day’s work, it should be checked thoroughly to ensure nothing has been missed out just so errors don’t pile up.
- Attend extra classes
Ask the professors for extra classes where doubts regarding the on-going project can be clarified.
- Don’t give up
The work might seem excruciatingly demanding at times, but your perseverance and resilience shall save the day.
- Finish the work before deadline
Try to complete the work at least 3 days before submission date.
- Check and re-check
Check the work multiple times to see there are no errors in there.
- Submit it on time
Submit the work on time and inform your professor about the inferences you have drawn.
- Continue to read more about the software
Completing one assignment is just one step. To master STATA, one must keep studying about it and practicing the use of the same.
- Use expert STATA help available online
Students can benefit a great deal from the STATA assignment help that is available online, where experts talk to students on a one-on-one basis and help with everything that the student might need to complete the assignment successfully. The benefits of using online expert help are:
- Students can work together with subject-specific experts who would willing solve all doubts a student might have.
- The help is easily accessible from the comfort of one’s home.
- Any glitch in the assignment can be solved immediately and the assignment can be executed to perfection.
- Students can reach these experts 24/7 which is really helpful in a time of crisis.
- The interaction would improve the student’s understanding of STATA.
- They can learn to use their data in better and more efficient ways.
- The experts would ensure that there are absolutely no errors in the assignment and that shall fetch the highest grades for the students.
- Such help from experts can extend a complete learning experience for students where they not only complete their assignment flawlessly on time, but they learn much about the subject they are working on.
So, here are the 100 ways to solve STATA homework. Following these tips would certainly help students to manage their stress better, to avoid errors in the assignment, and to complete their STATA assignment on time.
Author bio:
John Colby is a name quite popular among student circles these days. He is a saviour for all those, struggling with statistics homework. He has got his degree from Imperial College in London. He has been associated with online teaching for years and loves to interact with students. He is a very good teacher of multiple disciplines of statistics, such as inferential and descriptive statistics. Would you like to read more statistics blogs, please click here.