Beginners Tutorial (DataSHIELD v6.1)

Welcome to the DataSHIELD beginners tutorial vignette!

Please use the 6 part vignette below to try using DataSHIELD for the first time - you will need:

• an up to date version of R and RStudio installed on your local machine

• The rights to install packages on your R session

• access to an internet connection

You will be running a local DataSHIELD analysis session that connects to the data stored remotely on the “Opal demo” server in France.

Training Vignette:

There are six approachable parts to the training environment of DataSHIELD, designed to last 10-15 minutes each. At the start of every one is a reminder of how to log in (look for the drop down button) in case you wish to start where you left off earlier.

• 1: Introduction and logging in

• 2: Basic statistics and data manipulations

• 3: Assign functions and tables

• 4: Plotting graphs

• 5: Sub-setting

• 6: Modelling

Legacy Training: using a local Virtual Machine running a DataSHIELD server:

Choose the appropriate instructions for the Operating System you run on your computer:

• v6.1 Linux Installation Instructions (involves some use of terminal command line)

• v6.1 Windows VM Installation Instructions

• v6.1 macOS VM Installation Instructions

Once the machine is downloaded, installed and launched on your local machine’s operating system, you will need to run a slightly different login script than what is described in the vignette above: click the dropdown to view.

Beginner FAQs:

N.B. This material is kept up to date for the current version of DataSHIELD release (currently v6.1, see here).