EN | PT | TR | RO | BG | SR
;
Marked as Read
Marked as Unread


NEXT TOPIC

CONTENT OF THE UNIT




Module 2: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics




Descriptive statistics in R: measures of central tendency, measures of variability, and graphical displays such as histograms and boxplots.

Inferential statistics in R: hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, and p-values.

Conducting t-tests and chi-square tests in R.

Linear regression in R: modeling the relationship between two variables and interpreting regression output.



Whether you're a seasoned data scientist or just embarking on your data analysis journey, this module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of both descriptive and inferential statistics, using the versatile R environment. We'll cover a wide range of statistical techniques and visualization tools, equipping you with the skills needed to unravel patterns and relationships within your data.



Descriptive statistics are the bedrock of data analysis, allowing us to summarize and comprehend datasets. In this section, we will explore various measures that characterize the central tendency, variability, and distribution of data. R offers a myriad of functions to compute these measures, and you will become proficient in calculating:

  • Measures of Central Tendency: You will learn how to compute the mean, median, and mode, each offering unique insights into the center of your data's distribution. We will discuss when and why each measure is valuable.
  • Measures of Variability: Understanding the spread or variability within your data is crucial. We will delve into calculating the range, variance, and standard deviation, equipping you with the tools to assess data dispersion effectively.
  • Graphical Displays: Numbers only tell part of the story. Visualizations are paramount for grasping the distribution of your data. We'll explore how to create histograms and boxplots, visualizing data distributions and identifying potential outliers or skewness.

To perform descriptive statistics in R, you'll need to use various functions and packages. Here's how you can calculate measures of central tendency, measures of variability, and create graphical displays in R:



Mean: To calculate the mean (average) of a numeric variable, you can use the mean() function. For example, if you have a vector of data called data_vector, you would compute the mean like this:

mean_result <- mean(data_vector)

Median: To find the median (middle value) of a dataset, you can use the median() function. Similar to the mean, if you have your data in data_vector:

median_result <- median(data_vector)

Mode: Unlike mean and median, R does not have a built-in function to calculate the mode directly. You may need to create a custom function to find the mode if required.



Range: You can calculate the range (the difference between the maximum and minimum values) of your data using the range() function. It returns a vector containing the minimum and maximum values.

range_result <- range(data_vector)

Variance and Standard Deviation: The var() function computes the variance, while the sd() function calculates the standard deviation. Both are used to assess the spread of data.

variance_result <- var(data_vector)

sd_result <- sd(data_vector)

Skewness and Kurtosis: You can use the moments package to calculate skewness and kurtosis. First, you need to install and load the package:

install.packages("moments")

library(moments)

Then, you can use skewness() for skewness and kurtosis() for kurtosis:

skewness_result <- skewness(data_vector)

kurtosis_result <- kurtosis(data_vector)

Graphical Displays

Histogram: To create a histogram, you can use the hist() function. It visualizes the distribution of your data by dividing it into bins. For example:

hist(data_vector, main = "Histogram of Data", xlab = "Values", ylab = "Frequency")

Boxplot: The boxplot() function is used to create boxplots, which provide information about the distribution's central tendency and spread, as well as any potential outliers.

boxplot(data_vector, main = "Boxplot of Data", ylab = "Values")

By following these steps and utilizing R's built-in functions and packages, you can effectively calculate and visualize descriptive statistics for your dataset. This provides a solid foundation for understanding your data's characteristics and preparing it for further analysis.

Inferential Statistics in R: Unlocking the Secrets of Data Inference

Inferential statistics elevate your analytical abilities to the next level by enabling data-driven decisions and hypothesis testing. Here's what you can expect in this section:

  • Hypothesis Testing: Learn the foundations of hypothesis testing in R. You'll understand the logic behind hypothesis testing, the significance level (alpha), and the p-value. We will explore common hypothesis tests, including the t-test and chi-square test, and walk through the step-by-step process of conducting these tests.
  • Confidence Intervals: Discover the power of confidence intervals in quantifying the uncertainty surrounding point estimates. You will not only learn how to calculate confidence intervals for means and proportions but also how to interpret them in a real-world context.
  • p-Values Unveiled: Unravel the mysteries of p-values, a vital component in hypothesis testing. We will discuss their meaning, interpretation, and the role they play in determining the statistical significance of results.

Inferential statistics in R is a crucial part of data analysis, enabling data-driven decision-making and hypothesis testing. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform hypothesis testing, calculate confidence intervals, and understand the significance of p-values in R:

Range: You can calculate the range (the difference between the maximum and minimum values) of your data using the range() function. It returns a vector containing the minimum and maximum values.

range_result <- range(data_vector)

Variance and Standard Deviation: The var() function computes the variance, while the sd() function calculates the standard deviation. Both are used to assess the spread of data.

variance_result <- var(data_vector)

sd_result <- sd(data_vector)

Skewness and Kurtosis: You can use the moments package to calculate skewness and kurtosis. First, you need to install and load the package:

install.packages("moments")

library(moments)

Then, you can use skewness() for skewness and kurtosis() for kurtosis:

skewness_result <- skewness(data_vector)

kurtosis_result <- kurtosis(data_vector)

Graphical Displays

Histogram: To create a histogram, you can use the hist() function. It visualizes the distribution of your data by dividing it into bins. For example:

hist(data_vector, main = "Histogram of Data", xlab = "Values", ylab = "Frequency")

Boxplot: The boxplot() function is used to create boxplots, which provide information about the distribution's central tendency and spread, as well as any potential outliers.

boxplot(data_vector, main = "Boxplot of Data", ylab = "Values")

By following these steps and utilizing R's built-in functions and packages, you can effectively calculate and visualize descriptive statistics for your dataset. This provides a solid foundation for understanding your data's characteristics and preparing it for further analysis.

Inferential Statistics in R: Unlocking the Secrets of Data Inference

Inferential statistics elevate your analytical abilities to the next level by enabling data-driven decisions and hypothesis testing. Here's what you can expect in this section:

  • Hypothesis Testing: Learn the foundations of hypothesis testing in R. You'll understand the logic behind hypothesis testing, the significance level (alpha), and the p-value. We will explore common hypothesis tests, including the t-test and chi-square test, and walk through the step-by-step process of conducting these tests.
  • Confidence Intervals: Discover the power of confidence intervals in quantifying the uncertainty surrounding point estimates. You will not only learn how to calculate confidence intervals for means and proportions but also how to interpret them in a real-world context.
  • p-Values Unveiled: Unravel the mysteries of p-values, a vital component in hypothesis testing. We will discuss their meaning, interpretation, and the role they play in determining the statistical significance of results.

Inferential statistics in R is a crucial part of data analysis, enabling data-driven decision-making and hypothesis testing. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform hypothesis testing, calculate confidence intervals, and understand the significance of p-values in R:


Range: You can calculate the range (the difference between the maximum and minimum values) of your data using the range() function. It returns a vector containing the minimum and maximum values.

range_result <- range(data_vector)

Variance and Standard Deviation: The var() function computes the variance, while the sd() function calculates the standard deviation. Both are used to assess the spread of data.

variance_result <- var(data_vector)

sd_result <- sd(data_vector)

Skewness and Kurtosis: You can use the moments package to calculate skewness and kurtosis. First, you need to install and load the package:

install.packages("moments")

library(moments)

Then, you can use skewness() for skewness and kurtosis() for kurtosis:

skewness_result <- skewness(data_vector)

kurtosis_result <- kurtosis(data_vector)

Graphical Displays

Histogram: To create a histogram, you can use the hist() function. It visualizes the distribution of your data by dividing it into bins. For example:

hist(data_vector, main = "Histogram of Data", xlab = "Values", ylab = "Frequency")

Boxplot: The boxplot() function is used to create boxplots, which provide information about the distribution's central tendency and spread, as well as any potential outliers.

boxplot(data_vector, main = "Boxplot of Data", ylab = "Values")

By following these steps and utilizing R's built-in functions and packages, you can effectively calculate and visualize descriptive statistics for your dataset. This provides a solid foundation for understanding your data's characteristics and preparing it for further analysis.

Inferential Statistics in R: Unlocking the Secrets of Data Inference

Inferential statistics elevate your analytical abilities to the next level by enabling data-driven decisions and hypothesis testing. Here's what you can expect in this section:

  • Hypothesis Testing: Learn the foundations of hypothesis testing in R. You'll understand the logic behind hypothesis testing, the significance level (alpha), and the p-value. We will explore common hypothesis tests, including the t-test and chi-square test, and walk through the step-by-step process of conducting these tests.
  • Confidence Intervals: Discover the power of confidence intervals in quantifying the uncertainty surrounding point estimates. You will not only learn how to calculate confidence intervals for means and proportions but also how to interpret them in a real-world context.
  • p-Values Unveiled: Unravel the mysteries of p-values, a vital component in hypothesis testing. We will discuss their meaning, interpretation, and the role they play in determining the statistical significance of results.

Inferential statistics in R is a crucial part of data analysis, enabling data-driven decision-making and hypothesis testing. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform hypothesis testing, calculate confidence intervals, and understand the significance of p-values in R:


Range: You can calculate the range (the difference between the maximum and minimum values) of your data using the range() function. It returns a vector containing the minimum and maximum values.

range_result <- range(data_vector)

Variance and Standard Deviation: The var() function computes the variance, while the sd() function calculates the standard deviation. Both are used to assess the spread of data.

variance_result <- var(data_vector)

sd_result <- sd(data_vector)

Skewness and Kurtosis: You can use the moments package to calculate skewness and kurtosis. First, you need to install and load the package:

install.packages("moments")

library(moments)

Then, you can use skewness() for skewness and kurtosis() for kurtosis:

skewness_result <- skewness(data_vector)

kurtosis_result <- kurtosis(data_vector)

Graphical Displays

Histogram: To create a histogram, you can use the hist() function. It visualizes the distribution of your data by dividing it into bins. For example:

hist(data_vector, main = "Histogram of Data", xlab = "Values", ylab = "Frequency")

Boxplot: The boxplot() function is used to create boxplots, which provide information about the distribution's central tendency and spread, as well as any potential outliers.

boxplot(data_vector, main = "Boxplot of Data", ylab = "Values")

By following these steps and utilizing R's built-in functions and packages, you can effectively calculate and visualize descriptive statistics for your dataset. This provides a solid foundation for understanding your data's characteristics and preparing it for further analysis.

Inferential Statistics in R: Unlocking the Secrets of Data Inference

Inferential statistics elevate your analytical abilities to the next level by enabling data-driven decisions and hypothesis testing. Here's what you can expect in this section:

  • Hypothesis Testing: Learn the foundations of hypothesis testing in R. You'll understand the logic behind hypothesis testing, the significance level (alpha), and the p-value. We will explore common hypothesis tests, including the t-test and chi-square test, and walk through the step-by-step process of conducting these tests.
  • Confidence Intervals: Discover the power of confidence intervals in quantifying the uncertainty surrounding point estimates. You will not only learn how to calculate confidence intervals for means and proportions but also how to interpret them in a real-world context.
  • p-Values Unveiled: Unravel the mysteries of p-values, a vital component in hypothesis testing. We will discuss their meaning, interpretation, and the role they play in determining the statistical significance of results.

Inferential statistics in R is a crucial part of data analysis, enabling data-driven decision-making and hypothesis testing. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform hypothesis testing, calculate confidence intervals, and understand the significance of p-values in R:




In this hands-on section, we will delve deeper into specific statistical tests and how to perform them in R:

  • T-Tests: Explore the world of t-tests, a fundamental tool for comparing the means of two groups. You will learn how to conduct independent and paired t-tests, accompanied by examples and interpretation of the results.
  • Chi-Square Tests: Chi-square tests are invaluable for analyzing categorical data. You will master the chi-square goodness-of-fit test and the chi-square test of independence. Through practical examples, you will grasp their significance and application.

Performing t-tests and chi-square tests in R is essential for comparing means and analyzing categorical data. Here's a practical guide on how to conduct these tests in R:

In this hands-on section, we will delve deeper into specific statistical tests and how to perform them in R:

  • T-Tests: Explore the world of t-tests, a fundamental tool for comparing the means of two groups. You will learn how to conduct independent and paired t-tests, accompanied by examples and interpretation of the results.
  • Chi-Square Tests: Chi-square tests are invaluable for analyzing categorical data. You will master the chi-square goodness-of-fit test and the chi-square test of independence. Through practical examples, you will grasp their significance and application.

Performing t-tests and chi-square tests in R is essential for comparing means and analyzing categorical data. Here's a practical guide on how to conduct these tests in R:


In this hands-on section, we will delve deeper into specific statistical tests and how to perform them in R:

  • T-Tests: Explore the world of t-tests, a fundamental tool for comparing the means of two groups. You will learn how to conduct independent and paired t-tests, accompanied by examples and interpretation of the results.
  • Chi-Square Tests: Chi-square tests are invaluable for analyzing categorical data. You will master the chi-square goodness-of-fit test and the chi-square test of independence. Through practical examples, you will grasp their significance and application.

Performing t-tests and chi-square tests in R is essential for comparing means and analyzing categorical data. Here's a practical guide on how to conduct these tests in R:




In your t-test results, pay attention to the p-value. If it's less than your chosen alpha level (e.g., 0.05), you can reject the null hypothesis. A small p-value indicates a significant difference between the groups.

In chi-square tests, focus on the p-value and the test statistic. A small p-value (usually < 0.05) indicates a significant difference or association, while a larger p-value suggests no significant difference or association.

Always interpret your results in the context of your research question. What does a significant result mean for your study?

By following these steps and using the appropriate R functions for t-tests and chi-square tests, you'll be equipped to analyze and draw meaningful conclusions from your data, whether you're comparing means or exploring relationships between categorical variables.



  • Linear regression is a cornerstone of statistical modeling, allowing us to understand the relationships between variables and make predictions. In this section, we will cover:
  • Understanding Linear Regression: A comprehensive introduction to linear regression, its assumptions, and its applications. You will learn when to use simple linear regression and multiple linear regression.
  • Modeling Relationships: We will explore how to build regression models in R. You will become proficient in defining predictor and response variables, fitting the model, and interpreting the results.
  • Interpreting Regression Output: Linear regression output can be complex. We will break it down, explaining how to assess the model's goodness of fit, understand coefficients and their significance, and make predictions using the regression equation.

Linear regression is a powerful statistical technique for modeling relationships between variables and making predictions. Here's how to perform linear regression in R:

  • Linear regression is a cornerstone of statistical modeling, allowing us to understand the relationships between variables and make predictions. In this section, we will cover:
  • Understanding Linear Regression: A comprehensive introduction to linear regression, its assumptions, and its applications. You will learn when to use simple linear regression and multiple linear regression.
  • Modeling Relationships: We will explore how to build regression models in R. You will become proficient in defining predictor and response variables, fitting the model, and interpreting the results.
  • Interpreting Regression Output: Linear regression output can be complex. We will break it down, explaining how to assess the model's goodness of fit, understand coefficients and their significance, and make predictions using the regression equation.

Linear regression is a powerful statistical technique for modeling relationships between variables and making predictions. Here's how to perform linear regression in R:


  • Linear regression is a cornerstone of statistical modeling, allowing us to understand the relationships between variables and make predictions. In this section, we will cover:
  • Understanding Linear Regression: A comprehensive introduction to linear regression, its assumptions, and its applications. You will learn when to use simple linear regression and multiple linear regression.
  • Modeling Relationships: We will explore how to build regression models in R. You will become proficient in defining predictor and response variables, fitting the model, and interpreting the results.
  • Interpreting Regression Output: Linear regression output can be complex. We will break it down, explaining how to assess the model's goodness of fit, understand coefficients and their significance, and make predictions using the regression equation.

Linear regression is a powerful statistical technique for modeling relationships between variables and making predictions. Here's how to perform linear regression in R:


  • Linear regression is a cornerstone of statistical modeling, allowing us to understand the relationships between variables and make predictions. In this section, we will cover:
  • Understanding Linear Regression: A comprehensive introduction to linear regression, its assumptions, and its applications. You will learn when to use simple linear regression and multiple linear regression.
  • Modeling Relationships: We will explore how to build regression models in R. You will become proficient in defining predictor and response variables, fitting the model, and interpreting the results.
  • Interpreting Regression Output: Linear regression output can be complex. We will break it down, explaining how to assess the model's goodness of fit, understand coefficients and their significance, and make predictions using the regression equation.

Linear regression is a powerful statistical technique for modeling relationships between variables and making predictions. Here's how to perform linear regression in R:




Gentleman, R., & Temple Lang, D. (2004). R: A language for data analysis and graphics. Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics, 5(3), 299-314.

Grolemund, G., & Wickham, H. (2016). R for data science. O'Reilly Media.

R Core Team. (2021). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing.