---
title: "Prior independent study for R novices"
author: "Emma Rand"
output:
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    depth: 3
    toc_float:
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---
![](../../pics/17C.png)

# Introduction

I consider it essential to complete this independent study before the [first workshop](01IntroductionToModuleAndRStudio.html). It allows you to learn some of the basics at your own pace on any computer without having to first install programs. 

You will be using [DataCamp's](https://www.datacamp.com/) online tutorial. I would expect it to take no more than an hour but please do not worry too much if it does. 

## What is R?
R is a free, open source language for statistical computing and graphics. The R community is one of R's greatest assets, being vibrant, inclusive and supportive of users at all levels.

![Artwork by @allison_horst](../../pics/horst/welcome_to_rstats_twitter.png)

[Hey! You there! You are welcome here](https://ropensci.org/blog/2017/06/23/community/)

[RStudio](https://www.rstudio.com/) is an IDE that makes R easier to use and it is what we will be using throughout this module. The DataCamp tutorial looks and acts like RStudio.


# Learning Outcomes

By carrying out this independent study the student will be able to:

* use the R command line as a calculator and to assign variables
* use the basic data types in R
* create vectors in R, name them, select elements from them and compare different vectors
* ....and more if you 'Want more?'
  

# Start learning

![GC](../../pics/GC.png) Go to [DataCamp](https://www.datacamp.com/) and create a free account. This is easy and requires only an email address. Then go to 'Start learning R for Data Science' then 'R Programmer' and enroll. This will start the 'Introduction to R' course. 

Do all of *Chapter 1 - Intro to basics* and *Chapter 2 - Vectors*. 

These chapters have been added to the 17C team as 'assignments'.

![](../../pics/dcwindow.png)



Jake Chong made this 2min 40 second [Introduction to Datacamp](https://youtu.be/JI1YaH6SFv0) for me whilst on work experience if you need it. It goes through the process of signing up for an account and doing the first exercise.

# Want more?

![GC](../../pics/GC.png) Watch [Getting started with RStudio](https://youtu.be/gcnU0edx_w4) (and try not to judge me :) ).

![GC](../../pics/GC.png) Do *Chapter 4 - Factors* and *Chapter 5 - Dataframes*.  Note you can miss chapter 3 on Matrices. These chapters have also been added to the 17C team as 'assignments'.

![R](../../pics/R.png) Learn how to make [Fun and easy R graphs with images](https://buzzrbeeline.blog/2018/06/13/fun-and-easy-r-graphs-with-images/)

![](../../pics/fungraph3-1.png)

# Getting R on your own computer
This is not needed for this session but R is easy to install and putting it on your own computer will make easier for you to practice R when it suits you.
You will need to:

 * First download and install R from [http://www.r-project.org/](http://www.r-project.org/)
 * Then download and install RStudio from [http://www.rstudio.org/ide/](http://www.rstudio.org/ide/])

There is a video of the steps [Installing R and RStudio on your own pc](https://youtu.be/kOQDdJZ7Hl4). It's equally straight forward on a mac.


# The Rmd file

[Rmd file](00Independent_study.Rmd)

You'll find out what an Rmd file is soon!

![](../../pics/17Cend.png)
