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
University of Michigan
Python Functions, Files, and Dictionaries
Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Python Programming, File Management, Programming Principles, Data Processing, Data Structures, Data Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
SAS
Getting Started with SAS Programming
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Data Import/Export, Data Validation, Data Access, Data Manipulation, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Analysis, SQL, Data Presentation, Microsoft Excel, Descriptive Statistics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft Power BI and Power Platform for Productivity
Skills you'll gain: Extract, Transform, Load, Star Schema, Microsoft Power Platform, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Storytelling, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Dashboard, Microsoft Excel, Power BI, Excel Formulas, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Analysis, Microsoft Copilot, Data Presentation, Spreadsheet Software, Data Transformation, Data Literacy, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Productivity Software
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
507 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Digging Deeper into Audience Reports in Google Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Google Analytics, Web Analytics, Benchmarking, Customer Engagement, Customer Analysis, Performance Analysis, Management Reporting, Customer Retention, User Research
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
54 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
IBM
NoSQL, Big Data, and Spark Foundations
Skills you'll gain: NoSQL, Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, MongoDB, PySpark, Apache Hive, Databases, Apache Cassandra, Big Data, Machine Learning, Generative AI, IBM Cloud, Applied Machine Learning, Kubernetes, Supervised Learning, Distributed Computing, Docker (Software), Database Management, Data Pipelines, Scalability
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
762 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Databases for Data Scientists
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, SQL, Database Management Systems, NoSQL, Data Warehousing, Relational Databases, Database Administration, Databases, Database Architecture and Administration, Database Management, Database Systems, Database Theory, Data Modeling, Query Languages, MongoDB, Big Data, Data Architecture, Data Integrity, Data Access, Data Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Understanding and Visualizing Data with Python
Skills you'll gain: Sampling (Statistics), Data Visualization, Statistics, Matplotlib, Statistical Visualization, Probability & Statistics, Jupyter, Statistical Methods, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Inference, Data Collection, NumPy, Histogram, Python Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Patient Safety
Skills you'll gain: Patient Safety, Stakeholder Engagement, Change Management, Conflict Management, Systems Thinking, Solution Design, Health Systems, Data Analysis, Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA), Risk Analysis, Data Presentation, Safety Assurance, Nursing Management, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), Data Visualization Software, Risk Management, Patient Flow, Safety Training, Collaboration, Health Care
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Managing Big Data with MySQL
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, MySQL, Relational Databases, SQL, Data Modeling, Databases, Business Analytics, Big Data, Business Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Measure and Optimize Social Media Marketing Campaigns
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Analytics, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Campaigns, Marketing Effectiveness, Social Media Strategy, Digital Advertising, Advertising Campaigns, Social Media, Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Marketing, Business Metrics, Statistical Reporting, Facebook, A/B Testing, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Marketing Communications, Performance Reporting, Return On Investment, Presentations
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Workday
Workday Basics Series
Skills you'll gain: Workday (Software), Business Process, Workflow Management, Business Reporting, System Configuration, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Enterprise Security, Organizational Structure, Data Access, Multi-Tenant Cloud Environments
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
276 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Google
Google Data Analytics (DE)
Skills you'll gain: Data Cleansing, Stakeholder Management, Rmarkdown, Data Presentation, Data Storytelling, Data Visualization, Data Validation, Data Literacy, Ggplot2, Data Ethics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Interactive Data Visualization, Analytical Skills, Data Integrity, Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Tableau Software, Data Quality, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
36 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months