Biostatistics in R: a practical guide
A single map of everything we’ve written about doing statistics and biostatistics in R — organised by the question you’re trying to answer. Each topic links the plain-English tutorial, the free calculator, and the interactive demo where we have one. New to R? Start at the top; looking for something specific? Jump to the section.
1. Getting started with R
If R itself is new, learn it by running it — no install required.
- Learn R in your browser — vectors, data frames, plotting and your first statistics, live.
- R playground — a free browser R console, with real biostatistics datasets to explore.
- Biostatistics datasets built into R —
infert,pbc,birthwt,trialand themedicaldatacollection.
2. Choosing the right test
Before any analysis, match the method to your data.
- Which statistical test should I use? — an interactive decision guide.
- Parametric vs non-parametric tests
- Checking normality in R · One-tailed vs two-tailed · Type I vs Type II error
3. Comparing groups
Is one group’s average different from another’s?
4. Association & risk
How are two variables related — and by how much?
5. Survival analysis
Time-to-event data — the backbone of clinical outcomes research.
6. Regression & prediction
Model an outcome from one or more predictors.
7. Diagnostic tests & agreement
Evaluating a test, a classifier, or two raters.
8. Sample size & power
Plan the study before you collect the data.
9. Tables & reproducible reporting
Turn results into a publication-ready document.
- gtsummary: a step-by-step Table 1 · Your Table 1 in one line · Parameterised Quarto reports
- Learn Quarto — reproducible reports that mix text, R code and results.
- Demos: Table 1 explorer · gtsummary live demo
Explore it interactively
- All free calculators — every tool, unit-tested against R.
- Interactive demo gallery — Shiny simulators and live R, in your browser.
- Statistics glossary — every term above, explained plainly.
This guide is the free layer. When a real dataset, real assumptions and a real deadline are involved, that’s where we come in.