Dataplot and the Engineering Statistics Handbook
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Integrated with Dataplot
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The version of the Handbook on the NIST web pages is integrated
with the Dataplot statistical software. In order to use Dataplot
from the Handbook, it must be downloaded and installed on your
local system.
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What is Dataplot
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Dataplot is a free, downloadable statstical software package
maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
It can be used both within the handbook and independently of the
handbook and is able to perform a significant proportion of the
analyses described in the handbook. The
Dataplot
web page contains further information about Dataplot.
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How is Dataplot Integrated into the Handbook
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Dataplot is integrated with the Handbook in the following ways:
- The majority of the sample output, graphics, and case studies
were generated with Dataplot. This aspect does not require
you to have Dataplot or know anything about Dataplot.
Most of the sample output and graphics could have been
created with any general purpose statistical program.
- The case studies contain a "Work this example yourself"
section that is implemented using Dataplot. That is, you
click on a link that starts Dataplot and executes a
pre-existing Dataplot macro. Dataplot is run in a separate
window, so you can see the Handbook pages and the Dataplot
output together. Once Dataplot is running, you can also
generate your own commands in addition to running the
Handbook generated macros. This aspect of the integration
requires you to have Dataplot installed on your local system.
- Dataplot can access the Handbook as an on-line help
system (via a WEB HANDBOOK <keyword> command). This
complements the normal Dataplot on-line help
in that the Handbook accesses descriptions of the statistical
techniques where the regular on-line help is focused on
how the technique is implemented in Dataplot.
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Downloading Dataplot
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Dataplot can be
downloaded from the Dataplot web pages. The web pages contain
the instructions for installing Dataplot on your system.
The
manual of Dataplot commands can also be viewed from the Dataplot
web pages.
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Activating Dataplot from a Case Study |
Once Dataplot is locally installed,
your Web browser can be configured to
automatically activate Dataplot when you click any
hyperlink under 'Run this Example Yourself' from a case study.
When activated, Dataplot brings up a separate screen which is
divided into four windows:
- Upper left - Feedback and computational output
- Lower left - Dataplot commands as they are executed
- Upper right - Graphical output
- Lower right - Spreadsheet of data
At the bottom of the screen is a wide, rectangular window where you
can enter your own Dataplot commands. Or you can enter commands
using the menus in the graphical interface. Clicking on the
hyperlinks in the Handbook will execute a specific set of Dataplot
commands.
Without leaving this window, it should be possible to click on the
next hyperlink from the case study to continue the analysis.
To exit Dataplot, click on the Exit button on the menu bar.
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