R FAQs

Q: What is R?
A: R is a statistical software package that is capable of performing basic calculations, probability-related calculations, creating graphics and data summaries, performing more advanced statistical analyses, and running statistical inference tests. 

Q: Do I need R for my statistics course?
A: It depends on the course and the instructor! Many of the University of Calgary's statistics courses will use R to some extent, though some courses will use it more heavily than others. Please read your course's outline and/or check with your instructor to see if you will be using R for your course.

Q: Can I access R on campus computers?
A: Yes! R should be available on all lab room computers in the Math Sciences (MS) building and on the computers in the Taylor Family Digital Library (TFDL).

Q: Can I install R on my own computer?
A: Yes! Please see the Installing R guide for instructions on how to download and install R. 

Q: How much does R cost?
A: R is free!

Please see below for a link to the R website, as well as a PDF and video with instructions on how to install R.