According to Wikipedia, “R is a programming language and free software environment for statistical computing and graphics supported by the R Foundation for Statistical Computing.
An article on the JEPS Bulletin provides expansive knowledge on using R, a software that is becoming increasingly popular, for data analysis. One of the reasons for its popularity is that it is more efficient than older point-and-click software packages. These older packages operate by repeatedly performing many small steps such as data cleaning and visualization – a laborious process that wastes time. With a programmed analysis such as with R, these processes are quickly and effortlessly executed. A programmed analysis also forms a precise script of the processes that were used on the data, which facilitates repeated use at a later time.
R is chiefly applied in statistics, data science, and the scientific communities. It has also been considerably adopted by the social and behavioral sciences. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software that existed before R uses a graphical user interface with clickable drop-down menus for the analysis of two-dimensional data tables on screen. R, on the other hand, uses data that is loaded into its programming environment as an object. In order for the user to manipulate the data, it must first be printed on screen. An analysis is performed by typing commands. This method presents the user with virtually unlimited functions that can be applied to the data. Because R is an open-source software package, trailblazing arithmetical methods can be more speedily applied in R compared to SPSS.
R minimizes errors and saves time as the programming language possesses great capabilities for complete data analysis on one platform. This is unlike the SPSS software which offers limited capabilities and often necessitates that the user turns to other applications to complete the manipulation of the data.
The use of R is increasing due to the benefits it offers over SPSS. Become proficient in the use of R by pursuing eCornell’s Data Analytics in R certificate.
eCornell courses are approved by SkillsFuture Singapore for SkillsFuture Credit as well as by HRDF Malaysia under its SBL Scheme.