Finding your Programming Language for Data Analytics/Quantitative Research

Throughout your PhD, you’ll see many training courses that you may want to attend which use R, Python, or other programming languages like Julia; most of these courses will require you to install these languages beforehand. Maybe you have already decided you want to do all of your analysis and data tidying in a programmatic way using code, so that it is reproducible and can be published in open science repositories, but don’t know where to even start or what programming language might work best for you. Installing and configuring new software can be a frustrating and isolating experience, especially if you’re completely new to programming.

At this event, we’ll spend the morning together installing and configuring R, Python, and Julia and their associated Integrated Development Environments, with some refreshments provided. This will also give you the opportunity to meet other doctoral researchers across the WRDTP. After lunch, there will be three short workshop-presentations you’ll be able to follow along with that demonstrate some of the differences between the three languages. By the end of the day, you will have set up your personal computer in a way where you are ready to jump into any specific data analytics or advanced quantitative research training regardless of the programming language it’s delivered in. You’ll also have had the chance to meet and network with other researchers at similar stages in their statistical programming career.

Outcomes:

At this event, you will:

• Install and configure programming languages and IDEs that will cover most software pre-requisites for training offers from the WRDTP and beyond;
• Gain some familiarity with the syntax, strengths, and weaknesses of each programming language;
• Meet and connect with other doctoral researchers who are embarking on similar journeys with statistical programming.

Important:

Please note that:

• This is an in-person event at the Elmfield Building, University of Sheffield (lunch and refreshments will be provided to suit a range of diets, including vegetarian, vegan and halal).
• You must bring your own laptop to this event. It is strongly recommended that you also bring a charger and charging cable.
• Spaces at this event are limited. We therefore ask that you only book a place if you are sure that you will be able to attend.
• Bookings will close at 9.00am on Monday 27th October.
• When booking, we ask that you use your institutional (.ac.uk) email address and complete all fields of the booking form. Thank you for your understanding.