EViews Overview

EViews is primarily used as a time-series data analysis tool. With EViews you can develop a statistical relation from your data and then use the relation for forecasting purpose. EViews estimates various time series models such as ARCH, GARCH, and VAR. EViews can also be used as a regression analysis, and panel data analysis tools.

EViews is "Special Request" and "Department" software and therefore UITS only offers limited support for this software. Documentation is available at various locations. The UITS Stat/Math Center (contact info) can answer basic questions concerning EViews.

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

Currently EViews for Windows version is available in the UITS Student Technology Centers (STC).

EViews Program Functionality:

Breadth of Functionality: Good

EViews provides sophisticated data analysis, regression, and forecasting tools on Windows-based computers. Even though EViews is used primarily for time-series data analysis, it provides good breadth of functionality.

Some of the capabilities of EViews include:

  • Single and Multiple Equation Estimation
  • Limited Dependent Variable Models: Binary, ordered, censored and truncated (Tobit), and count data
  • Vector Autoregression and Vector Error Correction Models
  • Pooled Time Series-Cross Section Data Analysis: Fixed and random effects models, balanced and unbalanced data sets
  • Seemingly Unrelated Regression
  • Time-varying Parameter
  • Multi-equation ARMA
  • Recursive Estimation Models
  • User-Defined Maximum Likelihood Estimation
  • Model Evaluation and Diagnostic Tests
  • Forecasting and Simulation
  • Data Management
  • Graph Generation

Reliability and Robustness: Good

There are no known bugs in EViews. The vendor tries to fix the errors as soon as they are reported.

State of the Art: Good

EViews is designed for the new generation of 32-bit Windows operating systems, and featuring major enhancements to both data management and modeling tools.

User Friendliness: Fair

EViews is built around the concept of objects. Series, equations, and systems are a few examples of objects. New users may have to spend some time getting familiar with the object-oriented user interface before they can use EViews efficiently.

EViews Help Resources:

Network-based help: Poor

EViews is new to the Indiana University community. There is no local EViews User's Group at IU.

Program's Help System: Good

An extensive help system is available in EViews.

EViews Program Availability:

EViews is available on STC Windows computers. For details, see the Availability page.

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

EViews Training and Support:

Document Availability: Fair

A complete set of EViews documentation is available for reference at various Software Manual Locations. The Stat/Math Center also possesses a set of EViews documentation for reference. Documents may be purchased directly from the vendor (QMS Quantitative Micro Software).

Training Availability: Poor

There are no UITS coordinated trainings available for EViews. Those who want to get started with EViews may contact the Stat/Math Center. EViews 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 EViews.

UITS Consulting Support: Limited Support

EViews is categorized as a faculty 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 via phone, email, and for walk-ins. Appointment is recommended for walk-in consulting.

Other Consulting Support: Fair

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