About this Class

This is the first class in the NIH Library Introduction to R Series. This class provides a basic overview of the functionality of RStudio, including how to import data, create scripts, and run code. R is a programming language and open source environment for statistical computing and graphics. The R class series is a comprehensive collection of training sessions offered by the NIH Library Data Services and Bioinformatics programs that is designed to teach non-programmers how to write modular code and to introduce best practices for using R for data analysis and data visualization. Each class uses both evidence-based best practices for programming and practical hands-on lessons. By the end of this class, students should be able to: list reasons for using R; describe the purpose of the RStudio Script, Console, Environment, and Plots panes; describe the various methods for finding help on R and RStudio; create a script in R and run code from a script and from the console; define the following terms as they relate to R: object, assign, call, function, and arguments; assign values to objects in R; learn about R objects; describe the major R data types; understand how to create and work with R vectors; describe the steps for importing data into R. Students are encouraged to install R(link is external) and RStudio(link is external) before the class so that they can follow along with the instructor. Attendees will need to download the data before the class. Please bring your laptop with R and RStudio installed.