Learn how to use Python and/or R programming languages for data analysis (via Zoom)

December 19, 2024

Learn programming skills for computational research during the R workshop series and the Python workshop series. Attend any or all of the sessions. Brought to you as a part of the UW Libraries Graduate Support workshop series. Open to all UW-Madison students, faculty, and staff.

Location:  Instruction online via Zoom. Workshops will not be recorded.

The R Series

*Registration required.  Registration is by workshop, not for the entire series. See links below to register for individual workshops. Sessions are filling up fast!

To find out more about this series, see: https://researchguides.library.wisc.edu/R

Friday, January 31, 10am-12pm
R Programming: R Basics
Register: http://go.wisc.edu/2zo751

This workshop is for the absolute beginner wanting to slowly walk through the process of getting started with R, a programming language commonly used for data analysis. The session will introduce you to the RStudio interface for coding in R. We will work through setting up a project directory, cover key concepts and terminology, and load and inspect a dataset.

This workshop is geared toward programming novices, so no previous experience is required.

Friday, February 7, 10am-12pm
R Programming: R Basics (repeat)
Register: https://go.wisc.edu/wdcuc8

This workshop is an exact repeat of the January 31st “R Programming: R Basics” workshop (see above).

Friday, February 14, 10am-12pm
R Programming: Data Wrangling
Register: http://go.wisc.edu/6qux10

Data is rarely perfect out of the box. This workshop will cover how to manipulate datasets using an R package called dplyr. After this session, you will be able to select rows and columns, add new columns, remove missing data and create summary tables of your data.

A basic working knowledge of R and RStudio (e.g., functions, operators, data types) would be helpful for you to get the most out of this session.

Friday, February 21, 10am-12pm
R Programming: Data Visualization
Register: http://go.wisc.edu/f7n0ww

So you’re familiar with R, but want to do more with your plots than the base graphics package. This workshop will show you how to use the ggplot2 package in R. After this session, you will be able to create a variety of plot types, alter their aesthetics, and create custom themes.

A working knowledge of R, RStudio, and dplyr would be helpful for you to get the most out of this session.

Friday, February 28, 10am-12pm
R Programming: Reports
Register: http://go.wisc.edu/qv5hdj

One way to automate your reports is to create files with human readable text and machine readable code. This workshop will cover creating reproducible reports of this type in RStudio using Quarto. After this session, you will be able to create Quarto documents, add formatted text and executable code blocks, and render the document into a final report.

A working knowledge of R and RStudio would be helpful for you to get the most out of this session.

Friday, April 4, 10am-12:30pm
R Programming: Organizing Your Projects with GitLab + RStudio
Register: http://go.wisc.edu/4dye27

Do you have lots of versions of files/scripts in a folder and want to better organize them? You need a formal version control software tool called Git! This workshop teaches learners to use RStudio and Git to keep track of file versions, switch back to old versions of a file, host version controlled files on the campus GitLab instance, and synchronize your files between different computers. No Command Line Needed!

Only individuals with a UW NetID will be able to follow along at this workshop. A working knowledge of R and RStudio would be helpful for you to get the most out of this session.

The Python Series

*Registration required. Registration is by workshop, not for the entire series. See links below to register for individual workshops. Sessions are filling up fast!

To find out more about this series, see: https://researchguides.library.wisc.edu/python

Tuesday, February 4, 10am-12pm
Python Programming: Introduction
Register: https://go.wisc.edu/a99a79

This workshop is for the absolute beginner wanting to slowly walk through the process of getting started with Python, a programming language commonly used for data analysis. We’ll work through installation and setup of some helpful software and introduce basic concepts and terminology used in Python. Finally, we’ll work together to create your first simple but useful program!

This workshop is geared toward programming novices, so no previous experience is required.

Tuesday, February 11, 10am-12pm
Python Programming: Introduction (repeat)
Register: https://go.wisc.edu/qitgs1

This workshop is an exact repeat of the February 4th “Python: Introduction” workshop (see above).

Tuesday, February 18, 10am-12pm
Python Programming: Loops, Lists, and Functions
Register: https://go.wisc.edu/6vmk56

This workshop will take a deeper dive into Python, covering essential topics such as automating tasks using loops, lists, and functions.

Prerequisite: Understanding of basic Python concepts (e.g., variables, data types) is helpful.

Tuesday, February 25, 10am-12pm
Python Programming: Spreadsheets and Data Manipulation
Register: https://go.wisc.edu/ave2t6

Real-world data can be messy. This workshop will cover a range of topics related to organizing and manipulating spreadsheet data for more effective analysis. We’ll use pandas, a popular and free data analysis library written for Python.

Prerequisite: Understanding of basic Python concepts (e.g., functions, operators, data types) is helpful.

Tuesday, March 4, 10am-12pm
Python Programming: Data Visualization with Seaborn
Register: https://go.wisc.edu/m9lh72

In this workshop, we will explore different methods and tools for visualizing data. We’ll use seaborn, a popular and free data visualization library written for Python.

Prerequisite: Understanding of basic Python concepts (e.g., functions, operators, data types) is helpful.

Tuesday, April 1, 10am-12pm
Python Programming: Intermediate Python
Register: https://go.wisc.edu/7x917u

This workshop explores additional Python functionality, building on skills learned in the first four workshops

Prerequisite: Understanding of basic Python concepts (e.g., functions, operators, data types) is helpful.

Workshop Organizers

Heather Shimon

Heather Shimon is a Science and Engineering Librarian specializing research data management.

Questions? heather.shimon@wisc.edu 

Trisha Adamus

Trisha Adamus is a Health Sciences Librarian at Ebling Library specializing data services.

Questions? adamus@wisc.edu

Dave Bloom

Dave Bloom is a Science and Engineering Librarian specializing in research data management.

Questions? david.bloom@wisc.edu

Lisa Abler

Lisa Abler is a Science and Engineering Librarian specializing in research data management.

Questions? lisa.abler@wisc.edu

Additional Instructors:

Corey Halpin, Software Engineer, Internet Scout

Erwin Lares, Data Science Platform Lead, Research Cyberinfrastructure, Division of Information Technology (DoIT)

Hannah Olson-Williams, Population Health Institute

Casey Schacher, Research Storage Lead, Research Cyberinfrastructure, Division of Information Technology (DoIT)

Robert Slater, Senior Scientist, A-EYE Research Unit Technical Director

Sarah Stevens, Director, Data Science Hub

Helpers: 

Nick Cheng, Student, UW-Madison

Panna Codner, Honorary Fellow, Department of Integrative Biology

Lynne Cotter, Lecturer, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Peter Cruz Parrilla, Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemistry

Katie Dunn, Electronic Resources Librarian, University of Wisconsin Law Library

Heidy Elkhaligy, Research Assistant, Biophysics Program

Chris Endemann, Data Science Facilitator, Data Science Hub

Todd Hayes-Birchler, Database Administrator, UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention

Dann Hekman, Data Scientist and Reporting Specialist, Department of Emergency Medicine

Chris Kirby, Project Manager, GLAS Education

Hector Lopez Moreno, Research Assistant, Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences

Lukas Matthews, Teaching Assistant, The Information School

Jennifer Patiño, Data and Digital Scholarship Librarian, UW-Madison Libraries

Annika Pratt, Research Assistant, Plant Pathology

Katie Sanders, Library Systems Administrator, UW-Madison Libraries

John Shadle, Health Equity Survey Analyst, University Health Services

Khine Thant Su, Data Scientist, Department of Medicine

Angel Tang, Science & Engineering Librarian, UW-Madison Libraries

Maria Alejandra Torres Meraz, Research Assistant, Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences

Kimberlie Vera, Research Assistant, Forest & Wildlife Ecology

Sarah Whitcomb, Research Scientist, USDA

Qiuyu Yang, Biostatistician, Department of Surgery