What is statistical inference?

Statistical inference is the process whereby you can draw conclusions about a population based on random samples of that population and the statistics that you draw from those samples. When you rely on statistical inference, you take what you've observed about your samples of that population and apply them to the group as a whole. Applying statistical inference allows you to take what you know about the population as well as what's uncertain to make statements about the entire population based on your analysis.

Why is it important to learn about statistical inference?

If you want to learn about a certain population—whether they're customers or fellow employees—you can use statistical inference to draw conclusions about that population based on your analysis of data about them. You can't always survey or test an entire population to gain insight, but you can sample the population and make educated assumptions based on the data. Understanding statistical inference allows you to take that data and use it to draw conclusions that make sense and prove true.

How can I apply statistical inference in my career?

Statistical inference has plenty of benefits for different business sectors. Statisticians and data analysts use this method often to draw conclusions based on samples of populations. If you're in sales or product development, you can use statistical inference to determine which brands or products are popular with your customers or clients. Scientists use statistical inference to test hypotheses and draw conclusions when it's impossible for them to test or sample an entire population. You can apply statistical inference to analyze the data from surveys of any population that you sample.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn about statistical inference?

Online courses on Coursera give you both a grasp of the concepts of statistical inference and practical applications. You'll learn from the best instructors in the academic world, and you can learn at a pace and schedule that best suits your schedule and lifestyle. When you finish our courses, you'll know how to use statistical inference in your career, which will give you an advantage whether you're trying to get better at your current job or whether you're looking to make a career change.

What are the benefits of taking an online Statistical Inference course?

Online Statistical Inference courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Statistical Inference skills. Choose from a wide range of Statistical Inference courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

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

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Statistical Inference, 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 Statistical Inference Courses - Learn Statistical Inference Online

Explore the Statistical Inference Course Catalog

Johns Hopkins University
Introduction to Genomic Technologies
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Data Science, Science and Research, Data Analysis, Programming Principles, Computer Science, Statistical Analysis, Computational Thinking, Life Sciences, Big Data, Biostatistics, Statistical Methods, Software Engineering, Algorithms
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.7K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Mergers and Acquisitions
Skills you'll gain: Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Investment Banking, Financial Statement Analysis, Business Valuation, Equities, Financial Forecasting, Financial Analysis, Capital Markets, Financial Modeling, Corporate Accounting, Financial Accounting, Corporate Tax, Accounting, Price Negotiation, Corporate Finance, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Investments, Corporate Strategy
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
519 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Johns Hopkins University
Regression Models
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Correlation Analysis, Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Predictive Modeling, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Inference, Statistical Hypothesis Testing
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of California, Davis
Market Research
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Survey Creation, Focus Group, Quantitative Research, Qualitative Research, Market Research, Proposal Writing, Data Storytelling, Business Research, Statistical Analysis, Presentations, Discussion Facilitation, Marketing Analytics, Storytelling, Marketing, Research Methodologies, Marketing Strategies, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Market Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Microsoft
Data Analysis and Visualization with Power BI
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Power BI, Data Storytelling, Data Visualization Software, Microsoft Power Platform, Data Presentation, Advanced Analytics, Statistical Reporting, Interactive Data Visualization, Business Intelligence, Data Analysis, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
750 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Foundational Finance for Strategic Decision Making
Skills you'll gain: Market Data, Loans, Finance, Microsoft Excel, General Finance, Corporate Finance, Securities (Finance), Mortgage Loans, Financial Analysis, Spreadsheet Software, Equities, Investments, Financial Market, Financial Data, Business Valuation, Investment Management, Financial Modeling, Capital Markets, Financial Management, Financial Planning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Imperial College London
Epidemiology for Public Health
Skills you'll gain: Epidemiology, Clinical Trials, Research Design, Clinical Research, Preventative Care, Biostatistics, Research Methodologies, Program Evaluation, Health Assessment, Scientific Methods, Medical Science and Research, Risk Analysis, Research, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Johns Hopkins University
Getting and Cleaning Data
Skills you'll gain: Data Manipulation, Data Cleansing, Data Integration, Data Import/Export, Data Collection, Data Management, Web Scraping, R Programming, MySQL, Application Programming Interface (API)
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
8.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Michigan
Applied Plotting, Charting & Data Representation in Python
Skills you'll gain: Matplotlib, Plot (Graphics), Data Visualization Software, Interactive Data Visualization, Scientific Visualization, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Statistical Visualization, Graphing, Scatter Plots, Data Manipulation, Histogram, NumPy, Pandas (Python Package)
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
6.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Duke University
Linear Regression and Modeling
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Statistical Software, Statistical Analysis, R Programming, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Inference, Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Exploratory Data Analysis, Predictive Modeling
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Rice University
Finance for Non-Finance Professionals
Skills you'll gain: Capital Budgeting, Cash Flows, Financial Analysis, Finance, Business Valuation, Return On Investment, Financial Management, Corporate Finance, Financial Modeling, Investments, Financial Market, Risk Management, Equities
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Macquarie University
Analysing: Numeric and digital literacies
Skills you'll gain: Governance, Management Accounting, Marketing Analytics, Budgeting, Capital Budgeting, Financial Modeling, Financial Data, SAS (Software), Financial Forecasting, Financial Management, Customer Insights, Data Visualization Software, Dashboard, Analytics, Corporate Finance, Digital Marketing, Customer Data Management, Business Valuation, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Marketing Strategies
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months