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

Status: Free
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Introducción a Data Science: Programación Estadística con R
Skills you'll gain: R Programming, Statistical Programming, Ggplot2, Data Manipulation, Simulations, Statistical Software, Data Science, Data Visualization, Graphing, Programming Principles, Data Import/Export, Scripting, Data Structures, Software Installation, Package and Software Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
8.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Modern Regression Analysis in R
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Inference, Statistical Modeling, Regression Analysis, Data Ethics, Statistical Methods, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Science, R Programming, Data Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Probability & Statistics, Correlation Analysis, Forecasting, Linear Algebra
Build toward a degree
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
30 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Yale University
Understanding Medical Research: Your Facebook Friend is Wrong
Skills you'll gain: Probability & Statistics, Research Design, Medical Science and Research, Statistics, Data Literacy, Statistical Analysis, Scientific Methods, Clinical Research
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Alberta
Fundamentals of Reinforcement Learning
Skills you'll gain: Reinforcement Learning, Machine Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Markov Model, Algorithms, Probability Distribution
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.8K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Operations Management
Skills you'll gain: Operations Management, Operational Efficiency, Process Analysis, Process Improvement, Lean Methodologies, Workflow Management, Continuous Improvement Process, Capacity Planning, Quality Management, Supply Chain Management, Statistical Process Controls, Process Flow Diagrams, Resource Utilization, Root Cause Analysis
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
2.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Macquarie University
Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate II
Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Excel Macros, Data Validation, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Modeling, Financial Forecasting, Predictive Modeling, Financial Modeling, Workflow Management, Data Integrity, Business Modeling, Automation, Process Optimization
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
8.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Statistics, Analytical Skills, Experimentation, Critical Thinking, Research Design, Behavioral Economics, Decision Making, Regression Analysis, Probability, Correlation Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Spreadsheets and Models
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Spreadsheet Software, Google Sheets, Financial Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Data Modeling, Forecasting, Risk Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Business Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Simulation and Simulation Software, Process Improvement and Optimization
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
3.8K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
SAS
Introduction to Statistical Analysis: Hypothesis Testing
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Analysis, Correlation Analysis, SAS (Software), Regression Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Modeling, Plot (Graphics), Data Literacy
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
168 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
SAS
SAS Programmer
Skills you'll gain: Data Manipulation, SAS (Software), Data Access, Data Import/Export, Microsoft Excel, Data Analysis, Consolidation, Data Transformation, Requirements Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Validation, Statistical Programming, Statistical Analysis, Data Processing, SQL, Data Presentation, Data Cleansing, Descriptive Statistics, Debugging
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.5K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Johns Hopkins University
Regression Models
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Data Science, Predictive Modeling, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Inference
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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