AMOS Overview

Amos is not general purpose statistical software. It is a program for estimating the coefficients in a set of structural equations. A fairly high level of statistical sophistication is required to use Amos effectively.

Amos is a "Departmental" sponsored software and, therefore, UITS only offers limited support for this software. Documentation is available as reserves in the Business/SPEA Library, Education Library and the UITS Stat/Math Center. The Stat/Math Center (812/855-4724 or email: statmath@iu.edu) can answer basic questions concerning Amos.

Note: If you are a student using Amos for a class exercise, questions about your class work should be directed first towards your class instructors.

Amos Program Functionality

Breadth of Functionality: Good

Amos is not a general purpose statistical software. It is a program for estimating the coefficients in a set of structural equations. A fairly good statistical sophistication is required to use Amos effectively.

Some of the capabilities of Amos include:

  • Measurement models and confirmatory factor analysis
  • Causal models for directly observed variables
  • Structural equation models for latent variables
  • Multi-sample analysis
  • Linear and non-linear constraints
  • Fit measures
  • Path diagrams
  • Bootstrap estimates

Reliability and Robustness: Good

State of the Art: Fair

User Friendliness: Good

Amos Help Resources

Network-based help: Poor

There is no local Amos User's Group at IU.

Program's Help System: Poor

Amos' help menu provides limited support. For most part reading the manual and talking with a colleague or consultant is the best way to get help with Amos.

Amos Program Availability

Amos is available on UITS systems. For details, see the Statistics Software Availability page.

UITS may offer this software for personal and departmental purchases. See the Stat/Math Sales page for more information.

Amos Training and Support

Document Availability: Fair

AMOS manuals are available at these Software Manual Locations . The Stat/Math Center also possess a copy for reference.

The User's Guide may be purchased directly from http://www.spss.com/stores/1/Books_C4.cfm .

Training Availability: Poor

There are no UITS coordinated training available for Amos. Those who want to get started with Amos may use Stat/Math Consulting. Amos is used by a number of faculty at IU as a computing tool in the course they offer.

User Group: No

There are no local user groups for Amos.

UITS Consulting Support: Limited Support

Amos is categorized as a "Departmental" sponsored software for support. That is, instructors who use this software for instruction are responsible for consulting support. However, limited consulting support is available from Stat/Math Consulting from 9 am to 5 pm (M-F) via phone, email, and for walkins. Appointment is recommended for walkin consulting.

Other Consulting Support: Fair

Since UITS is providing only limited support for Amos students using the software as part of their coursework should contact their instructors first for help. Registered Amos users can contact the vendor directly for help. Amos users can always turn to their colleagues who are familiar with the software for help.