Trends in Statistical Analysis Software Use for Horticulture Research between 2005 and 2020

Abstract

Courses are the main source of data analysis training for students. The statistical software training taught in those courses can affect student career readiness. However, lack of information about statistical software use in horticulture leads students and mentors to select statistics courses based on course availability and/or anecdotal evaluations. This research aimed to describe statistical software use trends in horticulture research to inform student course selection. We surveyed ≈50% of all articles published in HortScience, HortTechnology, and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science (JASHS) between 2005 and 2020. We found that SAS, SPSS, and R were the most frequently used software packages in this period. SAS use frequency decreased in HortScience and JASHS, but not in HortTechnology. SPSS use increased in JASHS and R use increased in all journals. Results from this retrospective survey suggest that training in SAS, SPSS, and R can help align students with horticulture research practices.