Short Course: Introductory Statistics for Researchers Using R, 6-8 May 2026

Accessibility

This is an in person course. Slides are in PDF format, exercises are in R markdown, and both will be downloadable in advance. If HTML slides and alt text are needed we will make every effort to provide these, please let us know well in advance. Lectures will be recorded and available for a week following the workshop.

Important Notes - please read

1. Participants must have basic R skills prior to workshop
This is NOT an introductory workshop in using the statistical software package, R. Basic R coding will not be taught. To do this workshop successfully, you must have basic proficiency in using the R package. All examples and exercises used in this workshop are done using R. We want to ensure everyone is able to follow the material, and no participant is disappointed.

• If you have basic R skills, that's excellent, please complete this quick TASK. Once you have completed this and emailed your results to stats.central@unsw.edu.au, then you will be given a code to allow you to register.

• If you do not have basic R skills, but want to do the Introductory Statistics for Researchers workshop, you can enrol in our Introduction to R course, May 4, that runs ahead of this workshop. You will receive the "code" highlighted in blue  in the "email ordered message" after ticket purchased for registering for this workshop.
  

Note: please make sure to select the correct "ticket type" when registering. Your ticket will be verified, and choosing the right one will help us match your registration details quickly and accurately. If you're unsure which ticket type applies to you, feel free to reach out to us directly stats.central@unsw.edu.au.

2. Own computer

You will need to bring and use your own computer during the workshop with both R and RStudio installed. You will also need administrator rights to install further packages needed throughout the workshop.Course Overview

Course Overview

This workshop is designed as an introduction to statistical analysis for researchers. There is emphasis on understanding the concepts of statistical procedures (with a minimum of mathematics, although some will be discussed) and on interpreting computer output. It is designed to help you, the researcher. It is helpful if you have done an undergraduate statistics subject, although this workshop can serve as a first introduction or a refresher. The theory behind the statistical procedures will, in general, not be discussed.

A range of statistical analyses will be discussed in the workshop, as described in the outline below. We will talk through examples of all analysis types and will demonstrate how to carry them out in R. Equal emphasis will also be put on interpreting the output of these analyses. There will be plenty of practical work.

Content

You will be expected to watch this seminar on study design and statistical principles (samples and populations, confounding, statistical inference) ahead of the workshop.

Course outlin

Revision

• Descriptive statistics – mean, mode, standard deviation, inter-quartile range, correlation

• Data visualisation - boxplot, histogram, scatterplot, bar graph

Introduction to statistical inference

• Uncertainty, confidence intervals, p-values, significance/evidence

• T-test (comparing two groups)

• Checking model assumptions

Analysis of continuous responses with linear models

• Simple linear regression

• ANOVA

• Multiple regression, ANCOVA

Analysis of categorical responses

• Relative risk, odds ratios

• Chi-square test

• Logistic regression

Presenter and Expertise: Tony Zhang, Statistical Consultant, UNSW Stats Central

Date: 6-8 May 2026

Duration: 9.30am to 4.00pm - each day

Delivery Mode: In-Person ONLY

Location: AGSM Colonial Theatre
You will receive a certificate of completion for the course.

NOTE: Course materials will be sent out closer to the course date so ensure you provide a correct email address.

Course fees:

UNSW Student - $150 (discount rate)

UNSW Staff - $660

External Student - $990

External - $1320

Note: If you have a funding support and would like to pay by "Internal Funding Payment", please contact us stats.central@unsw.edu.au. Thank you!

FAQs

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Please send us an email at: stats.central@unsw.edu.au