R Software and Its Use in Statistical Data Analysis

Abstract

The aim of this study is two old. It aims at introducing the R software at basic level as an
analysis instrument which has been widespread in recent years and offers certain advantages in
comparison to other statistical packages and identifying the frequency of the use of R and other packages
in research in educational sciences published within the last 5 years in Turkey in 3 academic journals
covered by the SSCI. Unlike the widely used statistical packages, R is an open-source software available
free of charge with a dynamic structure constantly developed with the contributions of researchers from
all over the world. Such a structure allows calculation of all kinds of statistical analysis which can be used
by not only researchers in scientific research process but also teachers in school practices. The study was
designed in descriptive survey model. It was found out that he R software was used in only one out of
1627 articles, while SPSS and Lisrel were the most frequently used statistical packages. It can be inferred
from these findings that the R software has almost no use despite the significant advantages it offers.
Hence, it is recommended to realize in-service training is held at universities in order to promote the use
of the R software