Preface

“Programming doesn’t just solve problems; it opens doors to new possibilities, unlocking the potential to create, innovate, and transform the world around us.” - Daniel Hammocks (2024)

All good books seem to start with an inspirational quote… I stole that one from ChatGPT – with its permission!

Purpose of this Book

In the world of data analysis, the choice of software can significantly impact the flexibility, efficiency, and depth of your analyses. For many years, SPSS has been a popular tool among social scientists, market researchers, and others who require a straightforward interface for statistical analysis. However, as data analysis becomes more complex and expansive, many analysts are turning to R, an open-source programming language and environment that offers unparalleled flexibility, a vast array of packages, and a growing community of users.

This course is designed to help you transition from SPSS to R, demonstrating that all of the functionality you’re accustomed to in SPSS can be replicated—and often enhanced—in R. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to conduct your analyses in R, whether you’re dealing with basic descriptive statistics, survey data, or more advanced statistical models.

About the Author

Daniel Hammocks is a PhD Candidate in Applied Data Science, specialising in the use of natural language processing to identify emerging methods of criminal perpetration from unstructured free-text crime reports. With over 10 years of programming and Data Science experience, Daniel has been actively researching in the field of Security and Crime Science for more than 6 years. His expertise extends to teaching data science at both an undergraduate and master’s level, where he is deeply committed to upskilling the next generation of crime analysts by empowering them to harness the full potential of data-driven techniques. Currently, Daniel serves as a Senior Data Scientist at the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), where he applies his extensive skills to enhance public safety and security through data-driven insights. - Also written by ChatGPT (2024)… it can have credit for this one.