Introduction to Scientific Programming and Simulation Using R (Chapman & Hall/CRC The R Series) - Hardcover

Jones, Owen; Maillardet, Robert; Robinson, Andrew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1420068725 ISBN 13: 9781420068726

Publisher: Chapman and Hall/CRC, 2009

Synopsis

Known for its versatility, the free programming language R is widely used for statistical computing and graphics, but is also a fully functional programming language well suited to scientific programming.

An Introduction to Scientific Programming and Simulation Using R teaches the skills needed to perform scientific programming while also introducing stochastic modelling. Stochastic modelling in particular, and mathematical modelling in general, are intimately linked to scientific programming because the numerical techniques of scientific programming enable the practical application of mathematical models to real-world problems.

Following a natural progression that assumes no prior knowledge of programming or probability, the book is organised into four main sections:

• Programming In R starts with how to obtain and install R (for Windows, MacOS, and Unix platforms), then tackles basic calculations and program flow, before progressing to function based programming, data structures, graphics, and object-oriented code
• A Primer on Numerical Mathematics introduces concepts of numerical accuracy and program efficiency in the context of root-finding, integration, and optimization
• A Self-contained Introduction to Probability Theory takes readers as far as the Weak Law of Large Numbers and the Central Limit Theorem, equipping them for point and interval estimation
• Simulation teaches how to generate univariate random variables, do Monte-Carlo integration, and variance reduction techniques

In the last section, stochastic modelling is introduced using extensive case studies on epidemics, inventory management, and plant dispersal. A tried and tested pedagogic approach is employed throughout, with numerous examples, exercises, and a suite of practice projects. Unlike most guides to R, this volume is not about the application of statistical techniques, but rather shows how to turn algorithms into code. It is for those who want to make tools, not just use them.

About this title

About the Author

University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

Review

This book is a good resource for someone who wants to learn R and use R for statistical computing and graphics. It will also serve well as a textbook or a reference book for students in a course related to computational statistics.
―Hon Keung Tony Ng, Technometrics, May 2011

... a very coherent and useful account of its chosen subject matter. ... The programming section ... is more comprehensive than Braun & Murdoch (2007), but more accessible than Venables & Ripley (2000). ... The book deserves a place on university library shelves ... One very useful feature of the book is that nearly every chapter has a set of exercises. There are also plenty of well-chosen examples throughout the book that are used to explain the material. I also appreciated the clear and attractive programming style of the R code presented in the book. I found very little in the way of typos or solecisms. ... I can strongly recommend the book for its intended audience. If I ever again have to teach our stochastic modelling course, I will undoubtedly use some of the exercises and examples from Scientific Programming and Simulation Using R.
―David Scott, Australian & New Zealand Journal of Statistics, 2011

It is not often that I think that a statistics text is one that most scientifc statisticians should have in their personal libraries. Introduction to Scientific Programming and Simulation Using R is such a text. ... This text provides scientific researchers with a working knowledge of R for both reviewing and for engaging in the statistical evaluation of scientific data. ...It is particularly useful for understanding and developing modeling and simulation software. I highly recommend the text, finding it to be one of the most useful books I have read on the subject.
―Journal of Statistical Software, September 2010, Volume 36

The authors have written an excellent introduction to scientific programming with R. Their clear prose, logical structure, well-documented code and realistic examples made the book a pleasure to read. One particularly useful feature is the chapter of cases studies at the end, which not only demonstrates complete analyses but also acts as a pedagogical tool to review and integrate material introduced throughout the book. ... I would strongly recommend this book for readers interested in using R for simulations, particularly for those new to scientific programming or R. It is also very student-friendly and would be suitable either as a course textbook or for self-study.
―Significance, September 2009

I think that the techniques of scientific programming presented will soon enable the novice to apply statistical models to real-world problems. The writing style is easy to read and the book is suitable for private study. If you have never read a book on scientific programming and simulation, then I recommend that you start with this one.
―International Statistical Review, 2009

Edition details

• Publisher: Chapman and Hall/CRC
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1420068725
• ISBN 13: 9781420068726
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 474