R is for Revolution

Abstract

The authors review the open source statistical package R. R allows researchers to implement statistical techniques including linear modeling, linear and nonlinear multilevel modeling, factor and principal component analysis, structural equation modeling, item and reliability analysis, time series modeling, and meta-analysis, among others. R presents several advantages over other statistical packages because it is updated on an ongoing basis, is free, is capable of creating high-quality graphics that are difficult to create with other packages, and includes important simulation capabilities. Some limitations of R include the need to learn a new programming language, difficulties handling missing data for new users, and relatively limited support and documentation. R is not yet popular in the organizational sciences but, given its ongoing improvement and many positive features, we predict that it will soon be.