Beginning R: The Statistical Programming Language

I have experience with statistics, SAS, and C programming, but I had no experience with R. The book has been quite useful for learning the basics of R programming. The features I particularly like are: (1) end of chapter summaries, (2) practice problems, with solutions at the end of the book, and (3) clearly written explanations of 'How It Works'.The author covers how to use R to conduct statistical analyses that would be covered in a basic or advanced undergraduate statistics class. As noted in another review, the focus is on how to conduct an analysis (e.g., t-test), not why a t-test would be appropriate.The book would be a great companion to a statistics book such as Howell's Statistical Methods for Psychology. Students who are enrolled in a statistics class or have had a statistics class and want to learn R may benefit the most from the book. The practice problems with solutions make it quite useful for self-teaching.

Updating my review and raised it a star...This is a good third level book. It makes very little use of any 3rd party packages. Just native R functions.After you have played with R for a semester, this may be a good follow on book. It will improve your R knowledge and decide how deep you want to go into programming with R.There is 5 different ways to do stuff, so ever book shows a different way. Not relaying on packages gives some "behind the scenes" on what is happening.********Original Review********The book really shouldn't start with Beginning R. On the book cover it says programmer to programmer in small text in the upper right hand corner. Programmers is who the book is directed at.I bought the book because it had Beginning in the title and the kindle version price was reasonable.1. The book assumes you have the required math/statistics knowledge already.2. The book assumes you have a good understanding of programming already.Based on my quick look at the book last night this isn't a book for someone familiar with the research methods based approach. The use of the word "independent" is only 3 times in the context of "independent variable" in the entire book. There is 3 sample PDFs on the books web site. just google for it.I will update my review in a couple months after I have progressed in my knowledge more, but wanted to help out those who were considering this book.Also the "R for dummies" and "Art of R programming" are not intro books either. The R for dummies book is more disappointing as dummies books are usually good intro books.

A very good starter for students learning statistical programming in R. Highly recommend it!

Great beginners resource.

I read the book from the perspective of an experienced software developer and found that the book described R's functions and capabilties in a manner that was too simple and from my perspective and didn't require the level of details provided in the book. But with that being said, the book would be perfect for perhaps researchers or scientists with a less-strong programming background because it guides the users through the basics of beginning data analyses with R with thorough examples and exercises. I found the book requires a grasp of statistics to really appreciate the content (even though some concepts are explained). Only one chapter seemed relevant for the actual "programming" of R. On the other hand I got a decent enough overview of the nature of functions built into R.

R is hard; this book makes it a little bit easier

This book is horrible. I have to use another stats book to understand. It says its not a stats book. It's more of a ref book after you already learned stats and R. It doesnt explain anything well.

Good book good quality good delivery

Esperava mais deste livro. A didática do autor, considerando que é um livro, deixou a desejar em vários pontos. De fato, entendi porque já trabalho com o software. Mas para um iniciante, creio que não deva ser a primeira leitura. Após uma primeira familizarização, talvez o livro cumpra seu objetivo.I expected more of this book. The author's didactic, considering it is a book, left to be desired at various points. In fact, I understand because I work with the software. But for a beginner, I think that should not be the first reading. After an initial familiarization, perhaps the book fulfills its purpose.

Do you start with R ? Yes, so read this book !

I bought this book because I was starting out with very little knowledge of R syntax and functionality. This book is working well for me. It starts off with how to install and set up the software on a Windows, Mac or Linux platform. The book builds on that starting point with simple examples and exercises that work well for me in a self-paced learning process. This book is not a comprehensive text on statistical analysis theory, nor does it cover programming techniques in significant detail. As the title suggests, it is for beginners wanting to learn how to use R.

I have only been through the first two chapters of the book, but I absolutely love it so far!I have some prior knowledge of R, however, I developed in a rather "patchy" way learning from various sources and I find that this book is a great way to go through the basics in a structured way. I really wish this book was available two years ago, when I was just starting with R, it would have saved me a lot of time!As for the book itself, it really starts you off from the very beginning. Installation and running R are covered in great detail for all Windows, Mac and Linux. On using R the explanations and the examples are very clear and easy to follow. I think for anyone who wants to learn R, it would be sufficient to just follow a one-two hour course with an instructor for a first-time exposure to the program and then this book would be all you need!And last but not least, the price is a real bargain, especially compared to what a formal course of R would cost you at a university or online.

Woww! The book is awesome.It is exclusively for beginners.But if u hv an Idea about R , then I would not suggest.The paper quality is good and the concepts are clearly explained.