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Course module: 201900026
201900026
ADS: Fundamental techniques in data science with R
Course info
Course code201900026
EC7.5
Course goals
At the end of this course, students are able to:
 
1. apply and interpret the basic methodological and statistical concepts that are associated with doing predictive and/or inferential research;
a. explain concepts from inferential statistics, such as probability, inference and modeling; and apply them in practice. 
b. make an informed choice for research designs that are suitable for regression analyses.
c. apply and explain the choice for techniques to investigate data problems.
d. apply and explain the concepts of linearity and non-linearity.
e. interpret statistical software output and report software output following APA reporting guidelines.
f. explain and conceptualize statistical inference and its relation to statistical theory.
g. perform the different steps in solving basic regression analysis problems and report on these steps.
 
2. apply and interpret important techniques in linear and logistic regression analysis;
a. perform, interpret and evaluate quantitative (causal) analyses on data with the statistical software platform R.
b. perform analyses in statistical software.
 
Relation between assessment and objective
In this course, skills and knowledge are evaluated on three separate occasions:
  1. With the exam the knowledge from methodological and statistical concepts is evaluated (learning goals 1a, 1d, 1f), as well as the application of these concepts to research scenarios (learning goals 1b and 1c). During the exam students need to interpret statistical software output (learning goal 1e).
  2. With the practical lab it is tested if the student has sufficient skills to solve basic analysis problems and execute quantitative analyses on real-life data sets (learning goals 2a and 2b).
  3. The work groups focuses on applying the newly gained knowledge and skills through a series of motivating real-world case studies aimed at solving relevant data analysis problems and reporting on the steps taken to obtain a solution (learning goal 1g).
Content
Regression techniques are widely used to quantify the relationship between two or more variables. In data science it is very common to investigate this relation and linear and logistic regression are proven to be very powerful techniques. However, it is essential to understand how and when it is appropriate to apply these regression techniques. In this course, students will learn exactly how to do that with the statistical software package R. 
 
This course gives students a new set of tools to explore the issues and problems so many people care about. The course will help students get acquainted with the principles of analytical data science, linear and logistic regression and introduces the basics of statistical learning. These techniques will be presented in the context of estimation, testing and prediction. Students will learn to adapt these techniques in their way of thinking about statistical inference, which will help students to quantify the uncertainty and measure the accuracy of statistical estimates. Students will develop fundamental R programming skills and will gain experience with tidyverse, visualize data with ggplot2 and perform basic data wrangling techniques with dplyr. This course makes students better equipped for a further career (e.g. junior researcher or research assistant) or education in research, such as a (research) Master program, or a PhD. 

In nine weeks you will learn the basics of data handling with R and the details about regression techniques in the context of statistical inference, as well as the connection to research philosophy. During every lecture we will treat a different theoretical aspect. Following each lecture there will be a computer lab exercise that connects the statistical theory to practice, as well as a workgroup meeting wherein you will work on solving motivating real-world case studies. 

Note that you need to register for this course during the FSW registration periods (page is in Dutch). Note also that if you are not an FSS student, the registration period may differ from your habitual one. This course is part of the minor Applied Data Science. If you also want to register for this minor you can do so via OSIRIS student.

Students who cannot comply with the entrance requirements mentioned are advised to take the pre-course  for the ADS minor ADS: Basis van Onderzoeksmethoden en Statistiek (code 201900025, Dutch taught). Students that cannot comply with entrance requirements, but believe to have the necessary background and skills are asked to provide further information on their eligibility. The course coordinator will decide on their eligibility. 
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