The common programs are (as far as I know):

1. Stata (complete tool, semi-complex interface (syntax or menu), life-long license)

2. SPSS (no latent modeling, easy to use (syntax or menu), short term license (1 year or so)

3. R (lot´s of features via free packages, completely free, difficult to use, mainly syntax, with an additional tool menu use possible)

4. MPlus (for SEM, easy syntax, only for complex modeling recommendable)

If you start doing statistics you might use SPSS or Stata, depending on the discipline you are working in. I strongly recommend to start working with syntax, which is very easy in SPSS.

I strongly support Manuel's argument! You even do not want to do a statistician the x-ray analysis or the electro-cardiogram for you, right? Though it might be simple to press the "start" button...

as a user friendly  and easier software, I'll vote for SPSS in your needs.

Good luck.

thanks you all for answers

PAST is a great program that I used when I started doing statistics.  http://folk.uio.no/ohammer/past/

I like GraphPad Prism. It is not a statistical software per se but has sufficient functionality (at least for my purposes). In addition, they have a great help file for statistical procedures.I think the have a 30 day trial version.

If you are looking for in-depth statistical analysis, I am backing Michael and Manuel in learning R. It has a very steep learning curve but you can do almost anything. The best part about is that it is a free program and you have a huge R community willing to help if you run into problems.

I would recommend SPSS.  It has the simple interface with point-and-click capabilities and built-in tutorials/examples that are beneficial for a statistical novice.  It also has features (e.g., writing syntax) that make it attractive for those with more statistical experience as well. 

However, if you are worried about a doctor, researcher, etc. selecting the wrong statistical test I would recommend providing a statistical test decision tree (there is one in Tabachnick and Fidell's book Using Multivariate Statistics 5th edition, pg 30)

I will respond your question with some other questions: how much time and energy you will invest to learn to use the software ? What kind of statistics you need to do ? What is the characteristics of the database ?

In the way of the simplest responses, add the SAS JMP and the Minitab in your research.

But large databases and sophisticated techniques will require more complex softwares.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JMP_(statistical_software)

http://www.minitab.com/

I also would recommend SPSS. 

SPSS is a commonly recommended software whereas R is another better option

Choice of software, to some extent, depends on what type of study are you going to do. For example, SPSS is good for social science field, health, etc. Or R is also a good option for general use.

Minitab (minitab.com) is very user friendly and ideal for the novice  with an excellent help system - you can download a 30 day trial. SPSS is widely used but is not so quite user friendly. Others such as SAS are extremely user unfriendly but very powerful -you can migrate to them once you are more confident in analysis.

I have a licence for using the BMDP, and VTFIT is a free available software to fit symetric and assymetric distribution to populational data. Attached to both softwares you can find an user guide with many information about the models and the assumption to be considered before to make the decision of applyin every statistical analysis. However, I agree with the above considerations of Manuel Weinkauf. In my research group I decide to have a professional Statistician. In face of some difficulties about the complexity of Statistics, I suggest you to start with exploratory data analysis (Nature methods, 2014) available in most of Statistical Softwares and read books like Design and analysis of ecologycal experiments. The literature is full of support for beginners. I hope to have help you. My best regards. Walter

I use Statistica (ver10) and in my opinion it is very powerful programe to do statistical analysis of results. For new users could be very chaotic and messed up but for user whuch has experience with other programs (SPSS, R etc.) and have basic statistical knowledge could be perfect. For simple analysis of results I am also recommend Stagraphics- very intuitive design and point-click menu. 

I am a non-surgeon and I am looking for a simple set of surgical tools for doing basic procedures such a suituring (I'm not sure I spelled that correctly), imputation of limbs etc. I just want the basics, so I don't want to have to learn any complicated anatomy. Something that's just point-and-cut would be ideal. 

A lot of people are recommending SPSS (Surgery for People who aren't Scared of Short-cuts) but I am hoping that there's something even simpler, and maybe faster.

I know there will be whiners who insist that I get some basic medical training before starting to cut up people, but heck – I'm a busy statistician. I don't have time for all this geeky stuff. And besides, surgeons make it so complicated. If I had a nice app that just showed me where to cut I am sure I'd be fine.

I mean, it's not like I could make a mistake and harm anyone, is it?

I would second Prism as a recommendation. The manuals and help are excellently written and very clear. It's got a very unusual interface, however, which you will love if you are a lab scientist, as it is modelled on a lab notebook. If you are doing a survey, however, it's just not the thing for you. Best for analysing designed experiments.

Hi Elie,

my 2 cents to this thread:

- JASP: freeware package for all major operating systems that covers same stats models as SPSS (parametric and nonparametric) + more (Bayesian, SEM, better graphics, more in the works).

- R: scripting & coding

- There is rapidly growing contribution of all kinds of stats packages in Python language. Less easy to set up, but is quickly becoming more user-friendly and versatile (from simple t-test to multivar stats, imaging analysis, timeseries and lots more)

Of course, assuming that as a non-statistician you are stats-informed and know what you are looking for :)

The last version of SPSS is good enough for non-statisticians.

SPSS, R, Stata and SAS are the more commonly used software among Doctors.

A surgeon who doesn't understand what they are doing can kill a patient.

A doctor with a simple statistical package who doesn't understand what they are doing can kill thousands.

I use SPSS mainly because it is the package provided to students at my university. I find it user-friendly and widespread enough that if I encounter a problem I can easily find an expert. However, I have some reservations about SPSS, mainly about appropriateness for longitudinal designs, repeated measures, etc. R is being increasingly used by professors at my university. I have tried it, but one must inevitably be comfortable with coding...I hope that helps!