Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
Hi, it’s me again, Crystal. I work for a nonprofit as an evaluator and often struggle with balancing software needs and cost. If you’ve ever waited for your organization to renew software licenses—or found yourself locked out of your favorite statistical package—you’re not alone. Evaluators and researchers everywhere are rethinking how we access and use data tools. The shift toward open-source quantitative software is more than a budget decision—it’s a movement toward accessibility, transparency, and collaboration.
For years, data analysis was dominated by costly programs like SPSS, SAS, and Stata. They’re powerful but expensive, putting them out of reach for students, community organizations, and small evaluation teams. The new generation of open-source tools changes that. These platforms offer professional-grade features at no cost, allowing anyone with curiosity and an internet connection to engage in serious quantitative work.
Open-source software is built on the belief that knowledge grows when it’s shared. The source code is freely available, so anyone can inspect, modify, or improve it. This openness doesn’t just save money—it fosters transparency and trust.
For evaluators, this is key. When stakeholders ask how results were produced, open-source tools make it easier to demonstrate methods, share code, and replicate findings. They also bridge gaps between evaluators, data scientists, and community partners who might otherwise be separated by cost or software silos.
Meet the Open-Source All-Stars
Here are a few of the leading tools reshaping the quantitative landscape:
If you’re new to open-source software, start small. Download JASP or Jamovi, open a sample dataset, and replicate a familiar analysis. The learning curve is gentle, and online communities offer excellent tutorials and video guides.
The move toward open source represents a quiet revolution in quantitative evaluation. It reminds us that good data work should be accessible, transparent, and collaborative—not locked behind a paywall. When knowledge is open, everyone benefits.
The American Evaluation Association is hosting Quantitative Methods: Theory & Design TIG Week. The contributions all this week to AEA365 come from evaluators who do quantitative methods in evaluation. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this AEA365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the AEA365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an AEA365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to AEA365@eval.org. AEA365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. The views and opinions expressed on the AEA365 blog are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the American Evaluation Association, and/or any/all contributors to this site.