Using R for Data Analysis in Social Sciences

"In this useful new book, Quan Li is your expert guide to the R Project for Statistical Computing and the Replication Movement-two massive, ongoing revolutions in quantitative social analysis. If you missed some of the revolutions, do not miss this book."-Gary King, Weatherhead University Professor and director of the Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University "Using R for Data Analysis in Social Sciences is a tremendous resource for students encountering R and quantitative methods for the first time. Professor Li teaches students nuts and bolts R skills while laying the foundation for statistical inference in the context of motivating questions about politics. Students learn how to describe data, apply the logic of statistical inference, and estimate, diagnose, and interpret linear regression models using data from published research. Along the way, Professor Li instills good programming habits and reinforces the importance of replication in the social sciences. This practical approach to data analysis means Using R for Data Analysis in Social Sciences will become students' go-to resource and a standard text assigned in undergraduate methods courses in the social sciences." -Suzanna Linn, Professor of Political Science, Penn State University "For any student who is interested in computational social science, this book provides useful guidance into the process of managing, visualizing, and analyzing data. It is unique and clever and contains practical insights into using an open-source R programming environment. The chapter with replication exercises will guide you through applying various statistical methods to conduct independent research. "-In Song Kim, Assistant Professor of Political Science, MIT