R or bayes for independent study?

[bennyska]

i'm an undergrad in stats, and next semester is my last. I'm doing an independent study next semester, and am unsure of what would be more beneficial for me: a class in R, or bayes. i would like to do bayes, and I'm decent on computers with limited programming experience, so I'm not too worried about picking up R as i go along, but that's based on zero experience with R. i will be doing grad school, and i figure i'll get experience with both of these there, so either one would work. there are a few books that combine the two, like kruschle's book, that i could do.
really the issue is there is someone else i'll be doing an independent study with, and she is not only NOT super hot with computers, she also needs a programming course to graduate, so she wants to do R. if we go through the same teacher, we'd have to do one together, but we could possibly go through different teachers.

anyway, anyone have an opinion?
thanks

 

[Number Nine]

You mean bayesian statistics? If you have an opportunity to study bayesian methods, I would strongly recommend that you take advantage of it. R is a very high-level programming language; it will be very easy for you to get the hang of it by creating a few mock data sets and playing around with it.

 

[chiro]

I recommend you do the Bayesian course, especially if you use WinBUGS. My Bayesian course used R and WinBUGS in addition to Bayesian theory so it was good for me.

If you have done any kind of procedural programming before, R is not hard to learn.

 

[bennyska]

well, this is an option https://www.amazon.com/dp/0123814855/?tag=pfamazon01-20
then i'd be doing both
thanks for your responses

 

[Matrix0]

I believe both R and bayes are valuable tools to have in your skillset as a statistics student. Ultimately, the decision between the two for your independent study will depend on your personal interests and goals. If you are more interested in learning about Bayesian statistics and its applications, then focusing on bayes for your independent study would be a great choice. However, if you are planning on pursuing a career in statistics or data science, having a solid understanding of R would also be beneficial.

It is also worth considering the potential benefits of taking a class in R, as it may provide a more structured and comprehensive learning experience compared to self-learning. Additionally, having a programming course under your belt may also be advantageous for your future studies and career.

As for your concerns about your independent study partner, it may be worth discussing with them and finding a compromise that works for both of you. Perhaps you could both take the same class in R but focus on different aspects or projects within the course. Alternatively, you could take different classes but still collaborate and support each other in your learning.

Overall, my opinion is that both R and bayes have their own merits and it would be beneficial to have some exposure to both. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your interests, goals, and learning style. Good luck with your independent study!