20240514 - R initial setup

getting-started.qmd

@@ -1,4 +1,32 @@
 # Getting Started with R for Data Analysis
 
 The book uses `R` for statistical analyses (<http://www.r-project.org>).
-R is a free software environment; you can download it at no charge here: <https://cran.r-project.org>
+R is a free software environment; you can download it at no charge here: <https://cran.r-project.org>.
+
+## Initial Setup {#sec-initialSetup}
+
+To get started, follow the following steps:
+
+1. Install `R`: <https://cran.r-project.org>
+1. Install `RStudio Desktop`: <https://posit.co/download/rstudio-desktop>
+1. After installing `RStudio`, open `RStudio` and run the following code in the console to install several key `R` packages:
+```{r}
+#| eval: false
+
+install.packages(c("petersenlab","tidyverse","psych"))
+```
+
+If you are in Dr. Petersen's class, also perform the following steps:
+
+1. Set up a free account on [GitHub.com](https://github.com).
+1. Download GitHub Desktop: <https://desktop.github.com/>
+
+## Installing Packages {#sec-installingPackages}
+
+You can install R packages using the following syntax:
+
+```{r}
+#| eval: false
+
+install.packages("INSERT_PACKAGE_NAME_HERE")
+```