This document provides four reasons to switch from SPSS to the free and open source statistical software R: 1) R is free, 2) it is open source, 3) it can be run on multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux and iPads, and 4) its package library is constantly updated. It then gives an overview of resources for learning R, including interactive tutorials, manuals, and the graphical R Commander interface which is similar to SPSS. Instructions are provided on installing R and R Commander.

2. R Rocks!
Four Reasons you should dump SPSS for R.
1. It’s FREE
2. It’s open source.
3. You can run it on any machine, including
Windows, Mac, Linux – even your iPad*
4. Stay on the cutting edge: new packages added
constantly.

3. Goal of this presentation
To get you up and running in R, so
you can compare it to your current
stats program.

5. Get your feet wet with Try R
Got one to two hours?
http://tryr.codeschool.com/

6. Get your feet wet with Try R
Got one to two hours?
This is a fun, pirate-
themed introduction
to R that requires no
programming
experience or
background in
statistics.
http://tryr.codeschool.com/

7. Get your feet wet with Try R
Got one to two hours?
(Code school has
other great courses
too, although most are
aimed at serious
coders)
http://tryr.codeschool.com/

8. Less fun, but more in depth
http://cran.r-project.org/doc/manuals/R-intro.html

9. Less fun, but more in depth
This tutorial has
been around for
many years. It’s a
great option for
exploring R.
http://cran.r-project.org/doc/manuals/R-intro.html

11. R has a Graphical User Interface:
R Commander (RCmdr)
Looks similar to
SPSS to me!

12. Installing R
Go to http://www.r-
project.org/ and follow the
instructions…
First time opening R, your
window will look like this:

13. Installing R Commander
Then, just go to:
Packages -> Install
Package(s)

14. Installing R Commander
Choose a mirror (I don’t think it matters, but I always choose USA – TX)

15. Installing R Commander
Choose RCmdr, and click “OK”
-----meanwhile, note all of the free
packages you can download later….

16. Using R Commander
Go to “Packages” again, but this time, choose “Load
Package”, and Choose “RCmdr”

17. Next, import your data
Import is under Data -> Import Data
You can upload plain text, dat, and even EXCEL files.
Now, play with the commands… they’re not identical
to SPSS/SAS, but similar.

18. Questions?
Ask me: Feel free to e-mail andrea@thinkagile.net
Go to http://www.talkstats.com
Search under: http://www.rseek.org/
The awesome electric guitar photo is courtesy of Feliciano Guimares
http://www.fotopedia.com/users/80n3pj2502nc9, used with Creative Commons
License