The Effective Statistician - in association with PSI

R-packages - best practices and useful tools

9 snips

Mar 24, 2025

Daniel Sabanés Bové, a statistician from Roche and Google and founder of Arconis consulting, discusses the transformative power of creating R packages for code reuse and collaboration. He shares insights on overcoming common coding challenges and emphasizes that starting to write packages might happen sooner than you think. With tools like usethis and testthat, Sabanés walks through his process from idea to launch. He also highlights the vibrant R community, filled with creativity, collaboration, and fun elements like hex stickers.

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ADVICE

Code Reusability

Avoid repetitive copy-pasting of code.
Instead, create reusable functions or macros for efficiency and maintainability.

INSIGHT

Functions vs. Packages

Writing small, reusable functions and creating a full R package are distinct steps.
The latter involves a more structured approach, but offers greater benefits in terms of code organization and sharing.

ADVICE

Early Package Creation

Start creating an R package early in a project, even for short-term ones.
This simplifies documentation, readability, and testing down the line.

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Interview with Daniel Sabanés Bové

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✔ Why creating R packages is a game-changer for code reuse and collaboration.

✔ The most common challenges we face when reusing code—and how packages help solve them.

✔ When it actually makes sense to start writing a package (spoiler: earlier than you think).

✔ Useful tools like usethis, testthat, and RStudio features that simplify the process.

✔ Daniel’s step-by-step approach—from sketching ideas on paper to launching the finished package.

✔ How to write meaningful tests to keep your code working as your project evolves.

✔ Where and how to share your package with others—GitHub, social media, conferences, and even journals.

✔ The fun side of the R community: hex stickers, open-source collaboration, and more.

✔ How Daniel’s team at Arconis can help if you want expert support with your package development.

Why You Should Listen

If you work in biostatistics, health economics, or market access, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you collaborate more effectively. Whether you're a statistician looking to better support HTA submissions or a market access professional trying to understand statistical challenges, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies that can make a real difference.

Resources & Links

Resources & Links:
🔗 Arconis
🔗 Open Stats Working Group
🔗 Open Stats Guide
🔗 R Journal
🔗 Journal of Statistical Software
📌 R packages: usethis, testthat, and others
📌 Upcoming workshops on software engineering for R (Basel, Paris, Tokyo)
🔗 The Effective Statistician Academy – I offer free and premium resources to help you become a more effective statistician.
🔗 Medical Data Leaders Community – Join my network of statisticians and data leaders to enhance your influencing skills.
🔗 My New Book: How to Be an Effective Statistician - Volume 1 – It’s packed with insights to help statisticians, data scientists, and quantitative professionals excel as leaders, collaborators, and change-makers in healthcare and medicine.
🔗 PSI (Statistical Community in Healthcare) – Access webinars, training, and networking opportunities.

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