Summer of R has been RESCHEDULED to August 16–20, 2021
The Missouri Prevention Science Institute is proud to sponsor the 2nd Annual Summer of R training series. Due to the COVID-19, organizers have decided to postpone the training to summer of 2021. We will send out more info in the future! Be safe and see you in 2021!

What is R and why use it?
R is an open-source platform for statistical analyses that has become increasingly popular in educational and social science research. There are many benefits to making the switch from using other statistical software programs, which can be limited in the analyses they can perform and can also be expensive. R is a great alternative because:
- R has a wide range of capabilities for statistical analyses.
- Both data management and analyses can be performed without having to switch between programs.
- R code is suited for collaboration and replication of findings.
- New capabilities are constantly being developed by an ever growing R user community!
- Finally, R is totally FREE!
What to expect from Summer of R:
This training is designed for researchers who want to make the switch to using R. The training will provide the nuts and bolts of the program which is crucial in understanding how R functions work.
The training has four courses:
- Course I: Data Exploration & Linear Regression (3 days)
- Data management
- Descriptive statistics
- Graphics
- Performing regression analyses
- Conducting regression diagnostics
- Visualizing results and creating publication-ready output
- Course II: Multilevel Modeling (1 day)
- Understanding the need and logic of multilevel models
- Specifying unconditional, random intercept, and random slope models
- Aggregating and merging data
- Testing different model specifications
- Overview of centering, estimation methods, and design effects
- Model diagnostics
- Course III: Causal Inference: A Graphical Models Approach (half day)
- Introducing causal graphical models (directed acyclic graphs: DAGs)
- Causal graphical views of Simpsons’ and Lord’s paradoxes
- Representing researchers’ qualitative knowledge with graphs
- Deriving causal analysis strategies from graphs
- Backdoor and front-door adjustments
- Causal mediation analysis
- Course IV: Item Response Theory (half day)
- Fundamental concepts of the IRT measurement framework
- Advantages of IRT over classical test theory/factor analytic methods
- Models for binary data
- Models for ordinal & nominal data
- Model evaluation
- Item/scale analysis & diagnostics
Who should enroll in this training?
This training is designed to provide everything you need to get started using R and complete basic analyses. Enrollment is open to students, faculty and researchers in the social, behavioral, medical, and education sciences . Participants should have a background understanding of statistical methods. Course I (Data Exploration & Linear Regression) will not cover the background and theory of the statistical methods used in R. Course I is not a training in statistics, but a training in using R to complete the analyses. Courses II — IV will cover both, statistical theory and applications in R.
About the R experts providing the training:
The training will be provided by four of our excellent instructors Drs. Francis Huang, Wolfgang Wiedermann, Wes Bonifay, and Yongnam Kim. They are all prolific methodologists and measurement experts, experienced educators, and faculty members in the Statistics, Measurement, and Evaluation in Education (SMEE) department at the University of Missouri, and teach a variety of graduate methods and measurement courses that solely use R.
Dr. Francis Huang Dr. Wolfgang Wiedermann Dr. Wes Bonifay Dr. Yongnam Kim
Summer of R training dates and pricing
Dates
- August 16–20, 2021
- Location: TBA
- Time: 9:00AM‑4:30PM
Pricing & Schedule TENTATIVE COSTS for planning purposes
- Early Bird (before June 1, 2021):
- Full week: $900
- Price per course:
- Course I: Data Exploration & Linear Regression (3 days) – $500
- Course II: Multilevel Modeling (1 day) – $200
- Course III: Causal Inference (half day) – $100
- Course III: Item Response Theory (half day) – $100
- Late Registration (after May 31, 2021):
- Full week: $1,000
- Price per course:
- Course I: Data Exploration & Linear Regression (3 days) – $600
- Course II: Multilevel Modeling (1 day) – $250
- Course III: Causal Inference (half day) – $150
- Course III: Item Response Theory (half day) – $150
Training Location and Travel Information
Hotel Information
- The Broadway Columbia Hotel (.5 miles)
- Website: https://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/missouri/the-broadway-columbia-a-doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-COUTBDT/index.html?SEO_id=GMB-DT-COUTBDT
- Address: 1111 E Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201
- Phone: (573) 875‑7000
- Rates: Starting at $166/night
- The Tiger Hotel (.4 miles)
- Website: https://www.thetigerhotel.com/
- Address: 23 S 8th St, Columbia, MO 65201
- Phone: (573) 875‑8888
- Rates: Starting at $159/night
- Hampton Inn and Suites (.9 miles)
- Website: https://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/missouri/hampton-inn-and-suites-columbia-at-the-university-of-missouri-COUUMHX/index.html?SEO_id=GMB-HP-COUUMHX
- Address: 1225 Fellow’s Place Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201
- Phone: (573) 214‑2222
- Rates: From $97/night
- Residence Inn (2.8 miles)
- Website: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/couri-residence-inn-columbia/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2
- Address: 1100 Woodland Springs Ct, Columbia, MO 65202
- Phone: (573) 442‑5601
- Rates: From $105/night
Airport Information
- Columbia Regional Airport (11 miles)
- Airlines: American and United Airlines
- St. Louis International Airport (107 Miles)
- Most Major Airlines
- Kansas City International Airport (130 Miles)
- Most Major Airlines
- Airport Shuttle Service from St. Louis and Kansas City Airports: MoX
- Website: https://www.moexpress.com/mox_ml/home.aspx?L=EN
- Address: 303 Business Loop 70 E, Columbia, MO 65201
- Phone: (573) 256‑1991
- Rates: $60 one way and $111 round trip door to door service (STL or KC Airport to hotel)
Parking
- Parking is $15 per week or $5 a day.
- Link for visitors permit: https://mu.nupark.com/portal/Account/VisitorLogin?ReturnUrl=%2Fportal%2F
Map of Townsend Hall:

Sponsors
- The Missouri Prevention Science Institute
- The Statistics, Measurement, and Evaluation in Education (SMEE) program at the University of Missouri
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Toby Mills-Sandoval at millsto@mail.missouri.edu.