Description

The main goal for this series of modules was to provide training in data exploration, visualization, and linear modeling with R to undergraduate biology research students. All modules employ authentic data of the Cayo Santiago rhesus macaques, a free-ranging nonhuman primate population living in naturalistic conditions in the island of Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. By introducing this primate study system and authentic research explorations, we aim to engaged undergraduate research students on fundamental quantitative tools in modern population ecology, demography, and evolutionary cognition.

This series of modules was implemented during a Summer Research Primate Population Ecology Internship at the Quantitative Ecology Lab of California State University, Long Beach in 2023. Each module was designed as a data-driven, self-guided, student-pace activity. Each module implements Guiding questions with answers, as well as Challenges, and concludes with Discussion question(s). Challenges and Discussion questions can be used as follow-ups for discussion and clarifications. 

Although a series, each module could be implemented independently, as long as students have access to prior modules for reference. This series of modules were not designed to introduce R or to provide formal study on statistics. For more in depth introduction to R and statistics, students can refer to the section Extra training that each module provides. 

Versions of modules for teachers that provide answers to each challenge are available upon request.

Table of Content

Module M.1: R basics for data exploration and management 

Module M.2. Descriptive statistics

Module M.3. Visualizing data with ggplot2

Module M.4. Simple linear regression analysis

Module M.5. Linear mixed-effects models

Module M.6. Generalized linear models

Module M.7. Generalized linear mixed-effects models

Module M.8 Survival analysis

Notes

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