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

Status: Free Trial
Imperial College London
Introduction to Statistics & Data Analysis in Public Health
Skills you'll gain: Analytical Skills, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Literacy, Data Analysis, Statistical Software, R Programming, Statistics, Public Health, Descriptive Statistics, Probability Distribution, Data Import/Export
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Statistical Inference
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Inference, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Probability & Statistics, Probability, Bayesian Statistics, Statistical Methods, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Probability Distribution, Sampling (Statistics), Sample Size Determination, Data Analysis
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
4.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Macquarie University
Data Visualization in Excel
Skills you'll gain: Pivot Tables And Charts, Data Storytelling, Data Visualization Software, Interactive Data Visualization, Spreadsheet Software, Dashboard, Microsoft Excel, Excel Macros, Infographics, Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Forecasting
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
A Crash Course in Causality: Inferring Causal Effects from Observational Data
Skills you'll gain: R Programming, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Statistical Software, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Inference, Data Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Regression Analysis, Research Design, Graph Theory
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
564 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of London
Foundations of Data Science: K-Means Clustering in Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Matplotlib, Probability & Statistics, Data Science, Unsupervised Learning, Statistics, NumPy, Python Programming, Pandas (Python Package), Data Analysis, Machine Learning Algorithms, Descriptive Statistics, Data Manipulation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
719 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Queen Mary University of London
Market Research
Skills you'll gain: Qualitative Research, Proposal Development, Market Research, Research Reports, Data Collection, Research Design, Research Methodologies, Data Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Survey Creation, Statistical Analysis, Surveys, Correlation Analysis, Quantitative Research, Research, Science and Research, Market Analysis, Focus Group, Regression Analysis, Content Performance Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
470 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
GIS Data Formats, Design and Quality
Skills you'll gain: Spatial Data Analysis, Spatial Analysis, ArcGIS, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Mapping, Data Quality, Data Mapping, Data Modeling, Data Storage, Data Sharing, Data Manipulation, Relational Databases, Query Languages
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.1K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Wesleyan University
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Data Storytelling, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Descriptive Statistics, Data Presentation, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Software, Correlation Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Decision Tree Learning, Data Management, Data Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Data Visualization, Data Literacy, Random Forest Algorithm, SAS (Software), Statistical Modeling
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Managing Data Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Data Management, Management Training And Development, Technical Communication, Team Management, Analytical Skills, Team Leadership, Statistical Inference, Statistical Modeling, Communication
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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
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
Google
The Nuts and Bolts of Machine Learning
Skills you'll gain: Feature Engineering, Statistical Machine Learning, Advanced Analytics, Predictive Modeling, Unsupervised Learning, Data Ethics, Machine Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Supervised Learning, Data Analysis, Performance Tuning, Python Programming
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
520 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months