7: Navigation Basics

7.1 Downloading and Installing Jamovi

Getting started with Jamovi involves a straightforward installation process. It is available for both Windows and macOS users. For Windows, visit the official Jamovi website at jamovi.org and click the Download button. Once the installer file is downloaded, open it to start the installation. Follow the on-screen instructions, agree to the terms and conditions, and select where to install the program. After the installation, click Finish, and you can launch Jamovi from your Start Menu.

For macOS, go to the same Jamovi website and download the version that is suitable for macOS. Once the .dmg file is downloaded, open it and drag the Jamovi icon into your Applications folder. After the installation, you can open Jamovi from the Applications folder. The version labeled “solid” is recommended for most users, ensuring stable performance.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

For Windows users, if the installation process is blocked, try running the installer as an administrator by right-clicking the file and selecting Run as Administrator. If Jamovi does not start after installation, check that your Windows operating system is up-to-date, as older versions may cause compatibility issues. If installation errors persist, temporarily disable any third-party antivirus software before trying the installation again.

For macOS users, if you cannot open the application after installation, navigate to System Preferences > Security & Privacy, and under the General tab, select Open Anyway to allow the application to run. If you encounter an error message about opening the app from an unidentified developer, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General, and allow apps downloaded from the App Store and identified developers.

7.2 Opening Jamovi

Once Jamovi is installed, open the software by double-clicking the Jamovi icon. Upon launching, you’ll be greeted by a clean workspace with two main panes: Data and Results, and a navigation bar at the top.

The Data Pane is located on the left side of the screen. It allows you to view, edit, and manage your dataset. The pane resembles a spreadsheet or data table, where each row represents a case (such as a participant in your study), and each column represents a variable. The top of the Data Pane displays the column names, representing your dataset’s variables. You can also import, manipulate, and clean your data within this pane.

The Results Pane is on the screen’s right side and displays the output from your statistical analyses. The results are presented in a clean, readable format, with tables and visualizations that are easy to interpret. In this pane, you can copy the results to your clipboard, export them to various file formats, or generate reports.

The Analysis Pane is activated when you select a statistical test to run. It contains the test’s options and settings, allowing you to customize your analysis. You can adjust the size of any pane by dragging its edge to suit your needs.

The Navigation Bar at the top of the screen contains four primary tabs: Variables, Data, Analyses, and Edit. These tabs are your main tools for managing datasets, conducting analyses, and manipulating your work in Jamovi.

Variables Tab

The Variables Tab is where you manage and define your dataset’s variables. You can set up or adjust the properties of the variables you will analyze. For each variable, you can specify:

• Variable Name: A unique label used to identify the variable.
• Variable Description: Additional context or information about the variable.
• Measure Type: This defines whether a variable is continuous, ordinal, or nominal. It is important because it determines how the data will be analyzed.
• Data Type: Choose whether the variable is an integer, decimal, or text.
• Missing Values: You can set codes to handle missing data appropriately in analyses.
• Levels: You can assign labels to clarify the categories for nominal variables.

This tab also allows you to add, remove, or rename variables and apply various transformation operations, such as recoding or creating new variables.

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Data Tab

The Data Tab is your primary workspace for interacting with and organizing your dataset. This is where you view and edit the actual data. Your data is displayed in a table where each row corresponds to a case (e.g., a participant or observation), and each column corresponds to a variable (e.g., age, gender, test score).

This tab allows you to edit data by double-clicking on individual cells, adding new rows (cases) or columns (variables), and deleting unnecessary data. Filters can also be applied to focus on specific subgroups within the data. 

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Analyses Tab

The Analyses Tab is where you perform statistical analyses on your data. This tab organizes available analyses into categories such as Exploration, T-Tests, ANOVA, Regression, and more. Each category contains several different statistical tests tailored to specific types of data or research questions.

In this tab, you can select the type of analysis you wish to run. Jamovi will automatically present a window with options for selecting the variables and customizing the test settings. Once configured, Jamovi will run the analysis and display the results in the Results Pane.

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Edit Tab

The Edit Tab allows you to directly modify the text output, which is useful for adding notes, adjusting descriptions, or changing how the results are displayed. This tab gives you the ability to:

• Add Annotations: Insert text explanations or clarifications into the results, which can be helpful when preparing a report or presenting results to a non-technical audience.
• Insert Statistical Formulas: Include formulas for calculating statistical tests, confidence intervals, or effect sizes.
• Format Text: Use formatting options such as bold, italics, or underline to highlight important parts of your analysis or make your results easier to read.
• Undo and Redo: Provides the ability to undo or redo any changes you’ve made to your results.

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Other Interface Features

Other essential features are also available within the Jamovi interface. The File Menu, accessed from the three horizontal lines in the top left corner, allows you to open, save, and manage your data files. The Preference Menu, accessed from the three vertical dots in the top right corner, will enable you to customize Jamovi’s appearance and behavior by adjusting the default settings for statistic length, chart styles, and output options.

7.3 Adding Modules

Jamovi is modular, which means its core functionality can be extended with additional modules. These modules provide access to more advanced statistical techniques and customized analyses, allowing you to tailor the software to your research needs.

To access the Module Library, click the blue plus symbol on the right side of the top navigation bar. From here, you can browse available modules, read their descriptions, and install them with a simple click. Some modules may require additional setup, such as installing R packages, and Jamovi will provide instructions to help you complete this process.

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After installation, you can manage your modules from the Module Library by selecting Manage Modules. Here, you can uninstall modules you no longer need or check for updates to keep them up-to-date.

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