Data Science with R for Psychologists and Healthcare Professionals

This introduction to R for students of psychology and health sciences aims to fast-track the reader through some of the most difficult aspects of learning to do data analysis and statistics. It demonstrates the benefits of using a programming language over commercial software packages and discusses a range of R packages relevant to psychological research. It also utilizes open datasets from published psychological studies to motivate and demonstrate the transition from data manipulation and analysis to published reports. R Markdown is becoming the preferred method for communicating in the open science community, and this book covers how to integrate it into the research workflow and use it in preparing manuscripts for publication.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 23 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive introduction to R is designed specifically for students studying psychology and health sciences, with the goal of expediting their journey into data analysis and statistics. It highlights the advantages of utilizing a programming language over commercial software packages like SPSS, emphasizing the importance of reproducibility and reliability in scientific research. The early chapters of the book adopt a gradual pace, ensuring that readers gain confidence in transitioning from a point-and-click software environment to the robust and dependable realm of statistical coding.

Utilizing RStudio and the tidyverse, this approach is highly contemporary and up-to-date. The text delves into a range of R packages that are particularly relevant to psychological research, providing in-depth discussions of their functionalities. Given that a significant portion of research in the health sciences involves questionnaire data, which often necessitates recoding, aggregation, and transformation before quantitative techniques and statistical analysis can be applied, R offers a multitude of useful and transparent functions for data processing and psychometric evaluation. These methods are illustrated with detailed examples, accompanied by a wide array of tools available in R for data visualization.

In contrast to many introductory statistics books for the health sciences, which rely on toy examples, this book takes a unique approach by utilizing open datasets from published psychological studies. This not only motivates students but also demonstrates the seamless transition from data manipulation and analysis to the preparation of published reports. R Markdown is increasingly becoming the preferred method of communication within the open science community. Furthermore, this book goes into great detail about integrating the use of R Markdown documents into the research workflow and how to utilize them in preparing manuscripts for publication, adhering to the latest APA style guidelines.

By offering a comprehensive and practical guide to R, this introduction aims to empower students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in data analysis and statistics, regardless of their field of study. Whether they are aspiring researchers, practitioners, or simply interested in expanding their statistical literacy, this book provides a solid foundation for a successful and rewarding journey into the world of scientific computing.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 154 x 236 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367618568