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
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Python and Statistics for Financial Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Inference, Statistical Methods, Pandas (Python Package), Probability & Statistics, Risk Analysis, Financial Trading, Financial Data, Data Manipulation, Statistical Analysis, Regression Analysis, Financial Analysis, Jupyter, Financial Modeling
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
4.5K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Statistical Inference for Estimation in Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Inference, Statistical Methods, Probability & Statistics, Sampling (Statistics), Data Science, Statistical Analysis, Probability Distribution
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
88 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Inferential Statistical Analysis with Python
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Methods, Statistical Inference, Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Jupyter, Python Programming, Matplotlib, NumPy
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
918 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Amsterdam
Basic Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Sampling (Statistics), Probability Distribution, Correlation Analysis, Probability, Statistical Inference, Regression Analysis, Sample Size Determination, Statistics, Scientific Methods
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Zurich
An Intuitive Introduction to Probability
Skills you'll gain: Probability, Probability Distribution, Probability & Statistics, Descriptive Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Statistical Methods, Risk Analysis, Finance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Columbia University
Causal Inference
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Inference, Regression Analysis, Statistical Methods, Estimation, Statistical Modeling, Machine Learning, Experimentation, Data Collection, Probability & Statistics, Research Design, Program Evaluation, Decision Making
3.4
Rating, 3.4 out of 5 stars
99 reviews
Advanced · 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
Status: Free
École normale supérieure
Statistical Mechanics: Algorithms and Computations
Skills you'll gain: Sampling (Statistics), Physics, Simulations, Statistical Programming, Computational Logic, Numerical Analysis, Markov Model, Mechanics, Quantitative Research, Algorithms, Programming Principles, Applied Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Integral Calculus
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
264 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, SQL, Supervised Learning, Feature Engineering, Plotly, Interactive Data Visualization, Jupyter, Data Literacy, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Mining, Data Cleansing, Matplotlib, Data Analysis, Unsupervised Learning, Generative AI, Pandas (Python Package), Professional Networking
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
143K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
IBM
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Skills you'll gain: Large Language Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Applied Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Governance, Prompt Engineering, Machine Learning, Automation, Digital Transformation, Business Transformation, Business Technologies, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Computer Vision, Emerging Technologies, Natural Language Processing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
19K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Amsterdam
Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences
Skills you'll gain: Qualitative Research, Scientific Methods, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Research, Sampling (Statistics), Probability Distribution, Correlation Analysis, Research Design, Research Reports, Science and Research, Interviewing Skills, Data Analysis, Probability, Data Collection, Statistical Inference, Social Sciences, Statistical Methods, Probability & Statistics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
7.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Vanderbilt University
ChatGPT + Excel: AI-Enhanced Data Analysis & Insight
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Prompt Engineering, Data Presentation, ChatGPT, Excel Macros, Excel Formulas, Data Synthesis, Microsoft Excel, Productivity, Infographics, Data Visualization, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Data Cleansing, Large Language Modeling, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Import/Export, Statistical Reporting
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.8K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months