Analytics is the system of applying certain methods and techniques to understand the performance of data, generally in an organization or industry. The application of analytics can be used to uncover and interpret relevant patterns of data, which can be later used to make better decisions. Analytics relies on good data as part of its usefulness, as well as the aspects of statistics, computer programming, and operations research to quantify performance. Analytics exists in business when companies use statistics and software processes in assessing how a particular product, service, or project measures up in scope. Businesses perform analytics to pinpoint strengths, identify challenges or weaknesses that may exist, and pull out key data points to help make decisions regarding future growth for the organization.

Learning analytics is a key skill that helps you solve problems to existing challenges. When you use analytics tools to research data patterns, you use methods of analyzing performance characteristics that are essential to a business organization. This is important in today's world of big data. Understanding analytics can make you a valuable asset when assessing areas rich with recorded information, performance indicators, and target goals.

What are typical careers that use analytics?

Analytics is found in a wide range of careers, including business analyst, budget analyst, financial controller, data scientist, and operations researcher. Individuals who move into these and other careers in data analytics often work with raw data and algorithms through mechanical processes to make assumptions and theories. Essentially, with knowledge of analytics, you can move into a job that requires a familiarity with numeric relationships, data structures, and trends and metrics relevant to an organization.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn analytics?

When you take online courses in analytics, you can gain a new understanding of key concepts like data analysis and visualization, mathematical optimization, regression analysis, predictive modeling, and other areas focused on business analytics. Taking online courses about analytics can help you achieve basic data literacy to help you make more informed decisions in any area you work in, like finance, operations, or marketing. As you branch out, you may advance your analytics understanding to include how to extract and manipulate data points, how to use different statistical analysis methods to break down the data, and how to eventually interpret and present your findings.

What are the benefits of taking an online Analytics course?

Online Analytics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Analytics skills. With a wide range of Analytics classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Analytics career.

What Analytics courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Analytics, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Analytics Courses - Learn Analytics Online

Explore the Analytics Course Catalog

University of London
Probability and Statistics: To p or not to p?
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Visualization, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Statistical Modeling, Data Analysis, Probability, Probability Distribution, Sampling (Statistics), Risk Modeling, Statistical Inference, Mathematical Modeling
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Create a Custom Marketing Analytics Dashboard in Data Studio
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Business Analytics, Dashboard, Data Analysis, Data Storytelling, Marketing Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Integration, Google Ads
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
111 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
SAS
Using Data for Geographic Mapping and Forecasting in SAS Visual Analytics
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Forecasting, Spatial Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Predictive Analytics, Geospatial Mapping, Data Analysis, Geographic Information Systems, Data Manipulation, Data Transformation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
223 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Business Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Leadership, Business Modeling, Strategic Decision-Making, Competitive Analysis, Value Propositions, Market Analysis, Innovation, Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Data Science Ethics
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Data Sharing, Information Privacy, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Personally Identifiable Information, Data Security, Data Governance, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Big Data, Intellectual Property, Data Analysis, Social Sciences, Sampling (Statistics), Data-Driven Decision-Making, Diversity Awareness
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Basic Data Descriptors, Statistical Distributions, and Application to Business Decisions
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Probability Distribution, Business Analytics, Microsoft Excel, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Box Plots, Sampling (Statistics), Correlation Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.6K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Kennesaw State University
Six Sigma Advanced Define and Measure Phases
Skills you'll gain: Process Capability, Team Management, Statistical Process Controls, Exploratory Data Analysis, Six Sigma Methodology, Probability & Statistics, Process Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Lean Six Sigma, Process Mapping, Correlation Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Regression Analysis, Process Improvement, Quality Improvement, Business Process, Graphing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Building Batch Data Pipelines on Google Cloud
Skills you'll gain: Data Pipelines, Dataflow, Extract, Transform, Load, Google Cloud Platform, Data Integration, Data Migration, Data Processing, Apache Hadoop, Serverless Computing, Apache Spark, Big Data, Data Transformation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.7K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Emory University
Introduction to Management Consulting
Skills you'll gain: Management Consulting, Business Consulting, Consultative Approaches, Business Management, Analysis, Client Services, Business Strategies, Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Essential Design Principles for Tableau
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization Software, Tableau Software, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Data Analysis, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, Design Elements And Principles, Color Theory, Data Ethics, Human Factors, Aesthetics
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
DeepLearning.AI
AI for Medical Prognosis
Skills you'll gain: Risk Modeling, Decision Tree Learning, Predictive Modeling, Feature Engineering, Applied Machine Learning, Random Forest Algorithm, Forecasting, Machine Learning, Statistical Methods, Statistical Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Data Analysis, Regression Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
787 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Advanced Content and Social Tactics to Optimize SEO
Skills you'll gain: Content Creation, Social Media Strategy, Search Engine Optimization, Content Marketing, Web Analytics and SEO, Content Strategy, Social Media Marketing, Keyword Research, Target Audience, Brand Awareness, Influencing, Relationship Building
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks