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

Illinois Tech
Bayesian Computational Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Bayesian Statistics, Data Analysis, Statistical Inference, Regression Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Programming, Advanced Analytics, R Programming, Statistical Machine Learning, Markov Model, Predictive Modeling, Probability, Simulations, Probability Distribution
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Business and Financial Modeling
Skills you'll gain: Risk Modeling, Financial Statements, Probability Distribution, Mathematical Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Portfolio Management, Regression Analysis, Business Modeling, Financial Modeling, Strategic Decision-Making, Risk Management, Presentations, Decision Making, Data Visualization, Microsoft PowerPoint, Predictive Modeling, Investment Management, Spreadsheet Software, Google Sheets, Excel Formulas
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
11K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: [object Object]
Meta
Meta Marketing Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Business Metrics, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Marketing Analytics, Bayesian Statistics, Descriptive Statistics, Marketing Effectiveness, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Target Audience, Marketing Strategies, Data Cleansing, Pandas (Python Package), Data Modeling, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Spreadsheet Software, A/B Testing, Data Collection, Marketing, Interviewing Skills
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.6K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
IBM
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Skills you'll gain: Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Data Ethics, OpenAI, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Deep Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, ChatGPT, Governance, Machine Learning, Business Transformation, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Computer Vision, Emerging Technologies, Natural Language Processing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
17K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Introduction to Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Application Development, Artificial Intelligence, Google Cloud Platform, Machine Learning Methods, Machine Learning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Regression and Classification
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Modeling, Data Science, Statistical Methods, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Statistical Analysis, Regression Analysis, Statistics, Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Supervised Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms
Build toward a degree
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Statistics and Data Analysis with R
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Regression Analysis, Statistical Programming, Probability Distribution, Statistical Analysis, R Programming, Data Import/Export, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Methods, Tidyverse (R Package), Plot (Graphics), Probability, Data Manipulation, Statistical Inference
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
SAS
SAS Statistical Business Analyst
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Predictive Modeling, Predictive Analytics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Analysis, Correlation Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Regression Analysis, Statistical Methods, Probability & Statistics, Big Data, Plot (Graphics), Data Analysis, Data Analysis Software, Analysis, Feature Engineering, Performance Analysis, Performance Measurement, Data Cleansing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
215 reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling
Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Regression Analysis, Business Modeling, Financial Modeling, Business Mathematics, Predictive Modeling, Probability, Operations Research, Business Process Modeling, Business Risk Management, Statistical Analysis, Probability Distribution, Simulation and Simulation Software
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
9.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Duke University
Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business
Skills you'll gain: Presentations, Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Database Design, MySQL, Relational Databases, SQL, Data Visualization, Business Analytics, Business Metrics, Data Visualization Software, Business Process Improvement, Business Intelligence, Tableau Software, Financial Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Business Process, Probability Distribution, Predictive Modeling
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
15K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of California San Diego
Big Data
Skills you'll gain: Apache Spark, PySpark, Apache Hadoop, Data Integration, Exploratory Data Analysis, Big Data, Graph Theory, Data Pipelines, Data Modeling, Regression Analysis, Data Management, Applied Machine Learning, Data Infrastructure, Data Presentation, Scalability, Data Mining, Data Processing, Statistical Analysis, Databases, Data Architecture
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
14K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Advanced Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Data Governance, Data Visualization, Predictive Analytics, Exploratory Data Analysis, Analytics, Business Analytics, Data Storage, Data Management, Big Data, Risk Analysis, Databases, Data Visualization Software, Presentations, Data Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Decision Making, Business Intelligence, Data Cleansing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
5.2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months