Regardless of which software you use to analyze your data (SAS, R, Stata, Python, SPSS, Eviews) you need to learn spreadsheet basics. It is a good practice to use Excel to organize your data into a .CSV file. Once your data are in a .CSV, you will then instruct your software (SAS, R, Python, SPSS, Eviews) to read in the data for analysis.
From LinkedIn Learning (free when you sign in with your JMU eID)
- How to set-up for LinkedIn Learning from the JMU library
- Excel 2019 Essential Training (For a quick start: 2 hours, beginner level) (great prep for Econ 385)
- You can work your way to a certificate in Excel (24 hours): Master Microsoft Excel
Longer Courses from Coursera: free to Audit. Choose Enroll for Free, then look for the Audit option (in very small letters)