Secos 4 Windows, Data Handling, Graph and Mapping Program Chris Reid University of Portsmouth Secos 4 Windows is the latest version of the established program designed to introduce students to data analysis. While users can employ their data, several databases covering a range of economic series are available for teaching purposes. These include data taken from series published by the UK National Statistical Office, the EU and the World Bank.
Additional databases cover economic and social history, geography and politics.
Using simple menu commands, users can transform and analyse data using common statistical measures and techniques, such as average growth rates or correlation. In addition, it is possible to create a range of graphs to illustrate the data, and they may also generate maps when using certain databases. Version 3 of Secos constituted a substantial increase in the range of statistical and graphical tools available to users. Wisely, the temptation to add further statistical tools has been resisted and resources concentrated upon adapting the package to its new environment. With some reservations, this adaptation can be judged a success, enhancing an already user-friendly program.