Module 2 Released: An Introduction to R for Policy Analysis

Dear all,

This is just a quick post to let you know that module 2 of ‘An Introduction to R for Policy Analysis‘ is now available for those enrolled in the course.

While Module 1 was meant to help you get everything set up, Module 2 is all about getting your hands dirty with data. Module 2 will therefore cover just enough theory to get you started in R, including by outlining how to think about programming; where R sits in the wider policy analysis cycle, and the mechanics of importing, accessing and analyzing data using the R language. The module will will also introduce two new types of problem sets:

• ‘Find the error’ exercises: where you’ll be provided an error-riddled R script and asked to get it working (just like when using R in the real world!).
• Applied policy scenarios: where you’ll be asked to respond to a hypothetical policy analysis scenario using datasets designed to resemble what we often encounter in the real world.

For those that haven’t enrolled already, you can still do so here. If you signed up to the wait list make sure to apply the coupon code during the checkout process (see the launch email sent on the 7th of August for your code). If you were on the wait list, but didn’t receive a code, feel free to reach out to me here.

Module Release Dates:

New modules will be released each week. This has been done to mirror past versions of the course which applied the principles of ‘spaced repetition‘ to content delivery, but also as this will help me ensure course content (and the platform) works well. Scheduled release dates for each module are as follows:

• Module 1 – Course Intro and Set-up: 7th of August 2023
• Module 2 – An Introduction to the R Programming Language: 14th of August 2023
• Module 3 – Importing, Exploring and Summarizing Data: 21st of August 2023
• Module 4 – Data Cleaning: 28th of August 2023
• Module 5 – An Introduction to Data Visualization: 4th of September 2023
• Module 6 – Functions, Reproducibility and Automation: 11th of September 2023

Note: I’ll be working hard to incorporate any feedback received on the course in the coming weeks. So you might notice some topics and problem sets being tweaked as the course progresses. As always, please feel free to reach out to me here if you have any feedback, ideas for improving the course, or face any issues with the course content (or the learning platform).