Review of Survware from CompuStat software.
Survware showed BCBAs that low-cost software can speed up survey counts, and today’s free tools keep that promise while also giving you inferential stats and slick graphs.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Davison et al. (1991) took a quick look at Survware, a small survey program sold by CompuStat.
They told readers the price was low and the menus were simple.
The review said the tool counts answers fast but skips inferential tests like t-tests or ANOVA.
What they found
The paper found Survware useful for basic frequency reports on little questionnaires.
It warned that you still need bigger stats packages for any heavy lifting.
How this fits with other research
Manolov et al. (2017) later gave away free R code that graphs and tests single-case data.
Gilroy et al. (2025) went even further with SCARF-UI, a no-cost web app that lets you review whole sets of ABA studies without buying software.
These newer tools keep the low-price spirit of Survware but add the inferential muscle it lacked, so there is no real clash—just an upgrade path.
Why it matters
If you run quick caregiver surveys in clinic, remember Survware’s lesson: cheap tools can handle counts, but they hit a wall at stats.
Grab free modern options like the R tools from Rumen et al. or SCARF-UI when you need graphs, effect sizes, or literature synthesis without paying a dime.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Survware is a simple program which permits the user to analyze the responses from multiple choice questionnaires and surveys of 2-50 questions. It is inexpensive when compared with a complete statistical package, but the limitation to frequency data may result in the need to purchase additional software. This program is most likely to be useful to users who regularly collect survey data and who do not need inferential statistical analysis of those data.
Research in developmental disabilities, 1991 · doi:10.1016/0891-4222(91)90025-n