Statistics With R

Jenine K. Harris - Washington University in St.Louis, USA

January 2020 | 784 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Recipient of a 2021 Most Promising New Textbook Award from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA)

“Statistics with R is easily the most accessible and almost fun introduction to statistics and R that I have read. Even the most hesitant student is likely to embrace the material with this text.”

—David A.M. Peterson, Department of Political Science, Iowa State University

Drawing on examples from across the social and behavioral sciences, Statistics with R: Solving Problems Using Real-World Data introduces foundational statistics concepts with beginner-friendly R programming in an exploration of the world’s tricky problems faced by the “R Team” characters. Inspired by the programming group “R Ladies,” the R Team works together to master the skills of statistical analysis and data visualization to untangle real-world, messy data using R. The storylines draw students into investigating contemporary issues such as marijuana legalization, voter registration, and the opioid epidemic, and lead them step-by-step through full-color illustrations of R statistics and interactive exercises.

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PREFACE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chapter 1: Preparing Data for Analysis and Visualization in R: The R-Team and the Pot Policy Problem

1.1 Choosing and learning R

1.2 Learning R with publicly available data

1.3 Achievements to unlock

1.4 The tricky weed problem

1.5 Achievement 1: Observations and variables

1.6 Achievement 2: Using reproducible research practices

1.7 Achievement 3: Understanding and changing data types

1.8 Achievement 4: Entering or loading data into R

1.9 Achievement 5: Identifying and treating missing values

1.10 Achievement 6: Building a basic bar chart

1.11 Chapter summary

Chapter 2: Computing and Reporting Descriptive Statistics: The R-Team and the Troubling Transgender Health Care Problem

2.1 Achievements to unlock

2.2 The transgender health care problem

2.3 Data, codebook, and R packages for learning about descriptive statistics

2.4 Achievement 1: Understanding variable types and data types

2.5 Achievement 2: Choosing and conducting descriptive analyses for categorical (factor) variables

2.6 Achievement 3: Choosing and conducting descriptive analyses for continuous (numeric) variables

2.7 Achievement 4: Developing clear tables for reporting descriptive statistics

2.8 Chapter summary

Chapter 3: Data Visualization: The R-Team and the Tricky Trigger Problem

3.1 Achievements to unlock

3.2 The tricky trigger problem

3.3 Data, codebook, and R packages for graphs

3.4 Achievement 1: Choosing and creating graphs for a single categorical variable

3.5 Achievement 2: Choosing and creating graphs for a single continuous variable

3.6 Achievement 3: Choosing and creating graphs for two variables at once

3.7 Achievement 4: Ensuring graphs are well-formatted with appropriate and clear titles, labels, colors, and other features

3.8 Chapter summary

Chapter 4: Probability Distributions and Inference: The R-Team and the Opioid Overdose Problem

4.1 Achievements to unlock

4.2 The awful opioid overdose problem

4.3 Data, codebook, and R packages for learning about distributions

4.4 Achievement 1: Defining and using the probability distributions to infer from a sample

4.5 Achievement 2: Understanding the characteristics and uses of a binomial distribution of a binary variable

4.6 Achievement 3: Understanding the characteristics and uses of the normal distribution of a continuous variable

4.7 Achievement 4: Computing and interpreting z-scores to compare observations to groups

4.8 Achievement 5: Estimating population means from sample means using the normal distribution

4.9 Achievement 6: Computing and interpreting confidence intervals around means and proportions

4.10 Chapter summary

Chapter 5: Computing and Interpreting Chi-Squared: The R-Team and the Vexing Voter Fraud Problem

5.1 Achievements to unlock

5.2 The voter fraud problem

5.3 Data, documentation, and R packages for learning about chi-squared

5.4 Achievement 1: Understanding the relationship between two categorical variables using bar charts, frequencies, and percentages

5.5 Achievement 2: Computing and comparing observed and expected values for the groups

5.6 Achievement 3: Calculating the chisquared statistic for the test of independence

5.7 Achievement 4: Interpreting the chi-squared statistic and making a conclusion about whether or not there is a relationship

5.8 Achievement 5: Using Null Hypothesis Significance Testing to organize statistical testing

5.9 Achievement 6: Using standardized residuals to understand which groups contributed to significant relationships

5.10 Achievement 7: Computing and interpreting effect sizes to understand the strength of a significant chi-squared relationship

5.11 Achievement 8: Understanding the options for failed chi-squared assumptions

5.12 Chapter summary

Chapter 6: Conducting and Interpreting t-Tests: The R-Team and the Blood Pressure Predicament

6.1 Achievements to unlock

6.2 The blood pressure predicament

6.3 Data, codebook, and R packages for learning about t-tests

6.4 Achievement 1: Understanding the relationship between one categorical variable and one continuous variable using histograms, means, and standard deviations

6.5 Achievement 2: Comparing a sample mean to a population mean with a one-sample t-test

6.6 Achievement 3: Comparing two unrelated sample means with an independent-samples t-test

6.7 Achievement 4: Comparing two related sample means with a dependent-samples t-test

6.8 Achievement 5: Computing and interpreting an effect size for significant t-tests

6.9 Achievement 6: Examining and checking the underlying assumptions for using the t-test

6.10 Achievement 7: Identifying and using alternate tests when t-test assumptions are not met

6.11 Chapter summary

Chapter 7: Analysis of Variance: The R-Team and the Technical Difficulties Problem

7.1 Achievements to unlock

7.2 The technical difficulties problem

7.3 Data, codebook, and R packages for learning about ANOVA

7.4 Achievement 1: Exploring the data using graphics and descriptive statistics

7.5 Achievement 2: Understanding and conducting one-way ANOVA

7.6 Achievement 3: Choosing and using post hoc tests and contrasts

7.7 Achievement 4: Computing and interpreting effect sizes for ANOVA

7.8 Achievement 5: Testing ANOVA assumptions

7.9 Achievement 6: Choosing and using alternative tests when ANOVA assumptions are not met

7.10 Achievement 7: Understanding and conducting two-way ANOVA

7.11 Chapter summary

Chapter 8: Correlation Coefficients: The R-Team and the Clean Water Conundrum

8.1 Achievements to unlock

8.2 The clean water conundrum

8.3 Data and R packages for learning about correlation

8.4 Achievement 1: Exploring the data using graphics and descriptive statistics

8.5 Achievement 2: Computing and interpreting Pearson’s r correlation coefficient

8.6 Achievement 3: Conducting an inferential statistical test for Pearson’s r correlation coefficient

8.7 Achievement 4: Examining effect size for Pearson’s r with the coefficient of determination

8.8 Achievement 5: Checking assumptions for Pearson’s r correlation analyses

8.9 Achievement 6: Transforming the variables as an alternative when Pearson’s r correlation assumptions are not met

8.10 Achievement 7: Using Spearman’s rho as an alternative when Pearson’s r correlation assumptions are not met

8.11 Achievement 8: Introducing partial correlations

8.12 Chapter summary

Chapter 9: Linear Regression: The R-Team and the Needle Exchange Examination

9.1 Achievements to unlock

9.2 The needle exchange examination

9.3 Data, codebook, and R packages for linear regression practice

9.4 Achievement 1: Using exploratory data analysis to learn about the data before developing a linear regression model

9.5 Achievement 2: Exploring the statistical model for a line

9.6 Achievement 3: Computing the slope and intercept in a simple linear regression

9.7 Achievement 4: Slope interpretation and significance (b1, p-value, CI)

9.8 Achievement 5: Model significance and model fit

9.9 Achievement 6: Checking assumptions and conducting diagnostics

9.10 Achievement 7: Adding variables to the model and using transformation

9.11 Chapter summary

Chapter 10: Binary Logistic Regression: The R-Team and the Perplexing Libraries Problem

10.1 Achievements to unlock

10.2 The perplexing libraries problem

10.3 Data, codebook, and R packages for logistic regression practice

10.4 Achievement 1: Using exploratory data analysis before developing a logistic regression model

10.5 Achievement 2: Understanding the binary logistic regression statistical model

10.6 Achievement 3: Estimating a simple logistic regression model and interpreting predictor significance and interpretation

10.7 Achievement 4: Computing and interpreting two measures of model fit

10.8 Achievement 5: Estimating a larger logistic regression model with categorical and continuous predictors

10.9 Achievement 6: Interpreting the results of a larger logistic regression model

10.10 Achievement 7: Checking logistic regression assumptions and using diagnostics to identify outliers and influential values

10.11 Achievement 8: Using the model to predict probabilities for observations that are outside the data set

10.12 Achievement 9: Adding and interpreting interaction terms in logistic regression

10.13 Achievement 10: Using the likelihood ratio test to compare two nested logistic regression models

10.14 Chapter summary

Chapter 11: Multinomial and Ordinal Logistic Regression: The R-Team and the Diversity Dilemma in STEM

11.1 Achievements to unlock

11.2 The diversity dilemma in STEM

11.3 Data, codebook, and R packages for multinomial and ordinal regression practice

11.4 Achievement 1: Using exploratory data analysis for multinomial logistic regression

11.5 Achievement 2: Estimating and interpreting a multinomial logistic regression model

11.6 Achievement 3: Checking assumptions for multinomial logistic regression

11.7 Achievement 4: Using exploratory data analysis for ordinal logistic regression

11.8 Achievement 5: Estimating and interpreting an ordinal logistic regression model

11.9 Achievement 6: Checking assumptions for ordinal logistic regression

11.10 Chapter summary

GLOSSARY

REFERENCES

INDEX

Supplements

Instructor Teaching Site
edge.sagepub.com/harris1e

The open-access Student Study Site makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime. It offers flashcards that strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts, as well as learning objectives that reinforce the most important material.

For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative.

Student Study Site
edge.sagepub.com/harris1e

The open-access Student Study Site makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime. It offers flashcards that strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts, as well as learning objectives that reinforce the most important material.

For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative.

“Statistics With R is easily the most accessible and almost fun introduction to statistics and R that I have read. Even the most hesitant student is likely to embrace the material with this text.”

David A.M. Peterson

Department of Political Science, Iowa State University

“This is an entertaining and unorthodox text that explains statistical concepts in a way that engages students and rewards them for achievements. As useful to instructors as it is to their students.”

Matthew Phillips

Department of Criminal Justice, University of North Carolina, Charlotte

“This text makes the R statistics software accessible to all students by providing excellent examples and step-by-step processes. The student gains mastery over statistical analysis that can be applied to the real world.”

Mary A. Moore

Department of Healthcare Administration, Colorado State University

“This is an engaging textbook for learning statistics and R at the same time.”

Yi Shao

Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University

“Using a simple but engaging style, this textbook relies on three friendly characters to introduce and explore the most common statistical problems students will face in their career. And, as a bonus, students learn how to use and master R for analyzing and illustrating simple and complex data sets.”

Sylvain Fiset

Department of Psychology, Université de Moncton, Canada

“There are many good statistics textbooks on the market- and there are equally good books that teach R; there are very few that do both. This book fills this gap. Students who use this text will benefit not only from having a top-notch stats textbook, but a great resource for how to conduct their analysis in R.”

Jonathan Hack

Harvard Law School

“Allowing students to see how statistics is actually relevant to them through guided stories is a priceless experience. This text provides cross-cutting skills in R programming that students can take away with them for their CVs/résumés and career development."

Benjamin Becerra

Allied Health Studies, Loma Linda University

“A unique introduction to statistics using characters in a storyline who are themselves learning how to solve real case studies using the R programming language. The first statistics textbook of its kind!”

Patrick Bolger

Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University

“This is a wonderful, innovative statistics text that integrates R coding into learning about quantitative methods. The highly engaging lessons walk students through each stage of the analytical process and teach students how to perform a statistical analysis, including the presentation of results in graphical form, using code.”

Jennifer Bachner

Center for Advanced Governmental Studies, Johns Hopkins University

Too advanced for undergraduate students, probably appropriate for those in research-oriented program.

Dr Touchanun Komonpaisarn

Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University

January 27, 2022

Report this review

Key features

KEY FEATURES:

A narrative approach with three characters working together to learn statistics provides an accessible and relatable way to introduce statistical topics.
Publicly available data sets for each chapter offer topics of interest with data management and analysis tasks that are more realistic than pre-cleaned or synthesized data sets.
Each chapter addresses a different social problem that demonstrates the utility of the methods versus studying synthetic data on fake topics.
- Topics include pot legalization, voter suppression, opioid overdoses, diversity in the STEM fields, transgender healthcare, gun deaths, and more.
The inclusion of diverse characters and artwork portray women, people of color, and other demographics that are generally underrepresented in statistics to students.