R is widely used across academia and industry due to its flexibility, extensive package ecosystem, and strong capabilities for handling complex datasets. This course introduces the R programming language as a powerful environment for statistical computing, data analysis, and visualization. Participants will become familiar with the core elements of the R language, including its syntax, data types, and data structures. The course covers essential workflows such as importing, exporting, and manipulating data, as well as installing and using external packages to extend R’s functionality.

A strong emphasis is placed on practical data analysis. Students will learn how to explore and summarize datasets using graphical and numerical techniques. The course also introduces fundamental statistical methods, including hypothesis testing, linear regression, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Students will learn how to apply these techniques and interpret their results, supported by clear graphical representations.

Hands-on exercises and guided practice sessions are integrated throughout the course to reinforce learning and build confidence in applying R to real-world data problems.

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For this course, we offer the possibility to take an exam. For the PhD students in the faculties IOB and Applied Economics, this is a requirement to obtain a credits for these courses, but people from other faculties are allowed as well.
If you are interested in taking the exam, check the wants-to-take-exam-box in the registration form. Participating in the exam costs 10€, which is deduced automatically from your educational credit.

Course contents

At the end of the course, the student will be able to perform elementary data manipulation, graphics, text searching and statistical analysis using R. 

  • R language essentials
    • data import, export and manipulation
    • different types of data and data structures
    • downloading packages
    • graphical representation of data
    • automation of procedures
  • Statistical analysis
    • exploratory data analysis
    • hypothesis testing
    • linear regression and ANOVA
    • graphical representation of results
  • Automation
    • writing custom functions
    • programming structures​

    Target audience / prerequisites

    This course is aimed at pre- and post doctoral researchers who are already familiar with elementary statistical data analysis, but who were using different software up to now.

    This is not a statistics course. In this course we will focus on how to perform basic statistical techniques in R, but the theory behind the techniques is assumed to be known. The statistical techniques themselves are not subject of this course.

    Instructors

    Annelies Agten

    Prices

    PhD student UAntwerpen : € 50 

    UA-affiliated : € 90

    Academic non-UA : € 160

    Publicand non-profit sector : € 250

    Private sector : € 500

    Time and place

    The course will take place on June 10, 11, and 12  from 9.30 to 15.30 at the latest, with a one-hour break.

    Place: TBD at Stadscampus