Discovering Statistics Using R
- Andy Field - University of Sussex, UK
- Jeremy Miles - RAND Corporation, USA
- Zoë Field - University of Sussex, UK
Keeping the uniquely humorous and self-deprecating style that has made students across the world fall in love with Andy Field's books, Discovering Statistics Using R takes students on a journey of statistical discovery using R, a free, flexible and dynamically changing software tool for data analysis that is becoming increasingly popular across the social and behavioural sciences throughout the world.
The journey begins by explaining basic statistical and research concepts before a guided tour of the R software environment. Next you discover the importance of exploring and graphing data, before moving onto statistical tests that are the foundations of the rest of the book (for example correlation and regression). You will then stride confidently into intermediate level analyses such as ANOVA, before ending your journey with advanced techniques such as MANOVA and multilevel models. Although there is enough theory to help you gain the necessary conceptual understanding of what you're doing, the emphasis is on applying what you learn to playful and real-world examples that should make the experience more fun than you might expect.
Like its sister textbooks, Discovering Statistics Using R is written in an irreverent style and follows the same ground-breaking structure and pedagogical approach. The core material is augmented by a cast of characters to help the reader on their way, together with hundreds of examples, self-assessment tests to consolidate knowledge, and additional website material for those wanting to learn more.
Given this book's accessibility, fun spirit, and use of bizarre real-world research it should be essential for anyone wanting to learn about statistics using the freely-available R software.
Supplements
Discovering Statistics using R is an excellent book to engage students in learning statistics using top of the line software. The content is presented in a clear and coherent way, and the exercises help reinforce and consolidate knowledge in quite a funny way. It is great material for teaching and learning, but also a handy reference book for researchers.
As an open source software and with a vast supporting community, R is increasingly adopted by researchers. Discovering Statistics Using R allows a soft transition from other statistical softwares to this open source alternative.
Clear and easy to use as an alternative to using SPSS for my psychology students
This book covers the material we need, with plenty of exercises, accessible explanations. Most importantly, it describes and teaches the R statistics platform integrated with the rest of the text.
This textbook is quite thorough, but the overall style of the writing would not land very well to my California audience unfortunately.
This textbook is a marvelous tool to get to know not only the basics in statistics, but also some intermediate and complex analyses. Its structure allows students to grasp concepts, processes and actual uses of the techniques. I can forget about the usual fear experimented by students when starting on a statistics course. An excellent way to start using a powerful tool such as R.
Excellent, comprehensive book and Andy Field is an entertaining author.
I teach statistics to students in behavioral and social sciences using R. Since most of my students are familiar with SPSS rather than R, I use the textbook with SPSS application as primary and this book as alternative. So, students will have the chance to use and learn both software.I think such configuration gives flexibility to both instructors and students. Both Andy's books are easy to read and follow.
Although it is more for social scientists, the book introduces both R and statistics. It is what I needed.
Very good explanations for fundamental concepts and decent coverage of R.
But the book has too much trivial and annoying trivial personal stories that makes me want to change it at the first opportunity in the future.
