A practical introduction to statistical computing in R
This course is intended to provide the fundamental computational tools for analysing data.
The material is selected to enable you to become proficient enough to actively implement the methods and tools in your teaching and research. This will require you to practice the material outside of class.
Learning outcomes:
Learn how to deal with complex, messy, real data
Use graphics to explore and understand data
Gain familiarity with basic data collection, storage and manipulation.
Fluently reshape data into the most convenient form for analysis or reporting
The textbook that I recommend for the class is Paul Murrell's "Introduction to Data Technologies". Note: it's just a recommendation, not a requirement!
This book is licensed under a Share Alike License, which makes it available electronically for you to use, as long as you do not sell it (website with pdf)(amazon).
There are a couple of other excellent books on statistical computing and specific R packages that I'd like to recommend to you:
"Modern Applied Statistics with S" (4.ed) by Bill Venables and Brian Ripley, (amazon), R package MASS
Topics Covered
Setting up our statistical working environment
R, RStudio, R Markdown, SQL, ...
Graphics
We will make extensive use of graphics to explore data, and communicate findings
Structuring and restructuring data
An estimated 90% of our time spent on an analysis is dealing with cleaning and structuring data. We will learn about tools and techniques that help us with this.
Automating Analysis
Elementary programming skills help us to deal with repetitive tasks. We will learn about structural elements, such as logical expression, conditional structures, functions, loops, ...
Miscellaneous
random numbers and basic simulations, dealing with large data, getting data off the web.
Assessment
Weekly homework: 35%. One midterm exam: 35%. One (group) project: presentation & write-up: (5% / 25%).
To do well in this course you will need to spend 2-3 hours a week
(outside of class!) with the material. The weekly homeworks are designed to encourage you to do that. For each homework you will need to revise the week's work, and synthesise some new information, from the help pages or the web. You're welcome to help each other, but I expect you to hand in individual homeworks.
I'll publish (anonymously) a few of the best answers each week so you can learn from each other. If you don't want yours to be published, please let me know.
There will also be a larger project, which you can do in groups of up to four (you'll have to sort out the groups yourself). This project will be open ended and will require a significant writeup. I will give more details as we get closer.
Academic Misconduct
All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. Online courses are not exception. The Student Disciplinary Regulations (http://policy.iastate.edu/policy/SDR) will be followed in the event of academic misconduct. Depending on the act, a student could receive an F grade on the test/assignment, F grade for the course, and could be suspended or expelled from the University. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing attempt to help another student commit an act of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to each of the following acts when performed in any type of academic or academically related matter, exercise, or activity
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of representing directly or indirectly another person's work as your own. It can involve presenting someone's speech, wholly or partially, as your; quoting without acknowledging the true source of the quoted material; copying and handing in another person's work with your name on it; and similar infractions. Even indirect quotations, paraphrasing, etc., can be considered plagiarism unless sources are properly cited. Plagiarism will not be tolerated, and students could receive an F grade on the test/assignment or an F grade for the course. The Iowa State University policy for academic misconduct can be found in the Student Disciplinary Regulations.
Obtaining Unauthorized Information
Information is obtained dishonesty, for example, by copying graded homework assignments from another student, by working with another student on a take-home test or homework when not specifically permitted to do so by the instructor, or by looking at your notes or other written work during an examination when not specifically permitted to do so.
Tendering of Information
Students may not give or sell their work to another person who plans to submit it as his or her own work. This includes giving their work to another student to be copied, giving someone answers to exam question during the exam, taking an exam and discussing its contents with students who will be taking the same exam, or giving or selling a term paper to another student.
Misrepresentation
Students misrepresent their work by handing in the work of someone else. The following are examples: purchasing a paper from a term paper service; reproducing another person's paper (even with modifications) and submitting it as their own; having another student do their computer program or having someone else take their exam. Bribery: Offering money or any item or service to a faculty member or any other person to gain academic advantage for yourself or another is dishonest.
Bribery
Offering money or any item or service to a faculty member or any other person to gain academic advantage for yourself or another is dishonest.
University Policies
Accommodations
Iowa State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Sect 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you have a disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please contact Dr. William Carter to set up a meeting within the first two weeks of the semester or as soon as you become aware of your need. Before meeting with Dr. Carter, you will need to obtain a SAAR form with recommendations for accommodations from the Disability Resources Office, located in Room 1076 on the main floor of the Student Services Building. Their telephone number is 515-294-7220 or email disabilityresources@iastate.edu. Retroactive requests for accommodations will not be honored.
Religious Accommodation
If an academic or work requirement conflicts with your religious practices and/or observances, you may request reasonable accommodations. Your request must be in writing, and your instructor or supervisor will review the request. You or your instructor may also seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance.
Dead Week
This class follows the Iowa State University Dead Week policy as noted in section 10.6.4 of the Faculty Handbook.
Harassment and Discrimination
Iowa State University strives to maintain our campus as a place of work and study for faculty, staff, and students that is free of all forms of prohibited discrimination and harassment based upon race, ethnicity, sex (including sexual assault), pregnancy, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic
information, or status as a U.S. veteran. Any student who has concerns about such behavior should contact his/her instructor, Student Assistance at 515-294-1020 or email dso-sas@iastate.edu, or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance at 515-294-7612.
Accessibility Statement
Iowa State University is committed to assuring that all educational activities are free from discrimination and harassment based on disability status. Students requesting accommodations for a documented disability are required to work directly with staff in Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to establish eligibility and learn about related processes before accommodations will be identified. After eligibility is established, SAS staff will create and issue a Notification Letter for each course listing approved reasonable accommodations. This document will be made available to the student and instructor either electronically or in hard-copy every semester. Students and instructors are encouraged to review contents of the Notification Letters as early in the semester as possible to identify a specific, timely plan to deliver/receive the indicated accommodations. Reasonable accommodations are not retroactive in nature and are not intended to be an unfair advantage. Additional information or assistance is available online at www.sas.dso.iastate.edu, by contacting SAS staff by email at accessibility@iastate.edu, or by calling 515-294-7220. Student Accessibility Services is a unit in the Dean of Students Office located at 1076 Student Services Building.
Contact Information
If you are experiencing, or have experienced, a problem with any of the above issues, email
academicissues@iastate.edu.