Description
The Stata software is a statistical analysis program, qualitative data analysis, data manipulation, visualization, statistics, and automated reporting. It is used by researchers in many fields, including biomedicine, economics, epidemiology, and sociology.
Key Features:
- Extensive libraries for statistical tests (ANOVA, regression, t-tests)
- Data visualization capabilities (plotting, charting)
- Support for various data formats (CSV, Excel, database connections)
- Scripting/Programming environment for reproducible research
- Graphical User Interface for no-code analysis
- Platform independent (usable on any operating system)
Primary User Base:
Research Analysts, M&E Officers, Data Scientists
Strengths/Advantages:
Large community of users, open-source extensions available, standard for specific domains such as economics.
Very high limits on large datasets even in the base version.
Multi-core data processing more effective than competitors.
Limitations/Considerations:
The Graphical User Interface supports only limited features.
Cost of license and proprietary software.
Stata in WFP processes
This section details how Stata is currently utilized across WFP operations, analysis, and research.
Application Areas
Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM): Regression analysis on food security drivers; food commodities market price forecasting; Alerts for Price Spikes.
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): Impact evaluation studies, baseline/endline data analysis.
Example Projects/Reports
Estimating the food security impact of cuts to WFP assistance (here) - Stata software was used to clean, structure, and analyze micro-data from 12 different surveys. Almost Ideal Demand System analysis and simulations with econometric methods described in the report were performed with Stata.
Procurement
Information regarding the licensing and purchasing of Stata.
Cost/Licensing Model: Subscription-based (Annual/Per user), or Perpetual License.
WFP Licensing Status: Individual user licenses required
How to Obtain a License (if required)
Please note: Links in this section are only accessible to internal WFP users.
Quick guide: Purchasing STATA licences
Current Version Used at WFP: latest.
Installation
Guidelines and prerequisites for installing Stata on WFP-issued equipment.
Prerequisites
Compatibility requirements vary with the installed version and operating system used.
It is recommended to confirm that your laptop satisfies the requirements listed in the Official Stata Corp documentation.
All corporate laptops are expected to satisfy the indicated requirements.
Installation Method (WFP standard):
Method 1: Available via Company Portal (Windows)
Method 2: Manual installation using vendor-provided installer (Requires IT support as administrative privileges are needed) and request via the enterprise ticketing system.
Usage
Resources and best practices for using Stata effectively within WFP.
Data Security and Privacy: Must only be used on WFP devices/servers, Avoid storing confidential data locally, refer to WFP Data Management Policy, keep the software up-to-date with the latest version. Do not include sensitive information in do-files.
WFP Data Standards: Reproducibility is the key, start exploring how Stata makes your analysis future-proof here.
Recommended Libraries/Packages/commands:
Data Wrangling: Data management.
Mapping: SpMap @ World Bank; Stata guide on Medium
Reporting: Use Stata in combination with Markdown (here) to create dynamic reports that blend text, analytical scripts, and graphics.
Post-installation support
Where to seek help for issues, errors, or usage questions related to Stata.
Technical/Installation Support (e.g., License errors, software bugs, installation issues): covered by software vendor.
Contact: IT Service Desk
Category: Specify the IT request category as Software Installation/Fix
Functional/Usage Support: Provided in the official community channel Statalist
Internal Channels: Teams APP Overflow, Teams WFP Data Community.
Maintenance/Updates: Updates are pushed automatically via Software Center, otherwise Manual update required (subscribe at the time of license activation to receive notifications when updates are available).
Useful links
External and internal resources for further learning and reference.
Official Product Website: https://www.stata.com/
Documentation/Manual: https://www.stata.com/features/documentation/
Recommended Tutorials/Courses:
Please note: Links in this section are only accessible to internal WFP users.
WFP Internal Community of Practice: Recommend to follow the VAM and OEV communities of practice in Yammer and the WFP Data Community in Teams.
WFP Internal Tutorials/Courses: not available