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
University of Cape Town
Doing Clinical Research: Biostatistics with the Wolfram Language
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Plot (Graphics), Statistical Analysis, Statistical Programming, Biostatistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Analysis, Quantitative Research, Data Visualization Software, Probability & Statistics, Deep Learning, Machine Learning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Illinois Tech
Statistical Learning
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Statistical Programming, Statistical Methods, Regression Analysis, Bayesian Statistics, Supervised Learning, Statistical Inference, Machine Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Predictive Modeling, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Feature Engineering, Dimensionality Reduction
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Johns Hopkins University
Advanced Probability and Statistical Methods
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Methods, Probability Distribution, Data Analysis, Markov Model, Data Science, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Inference, Probability, R Programming, Simulations
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Multiple educators
Data Science Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Pseudocode, Jupyter, Algorithms, Data Mining, Pandas (Python Package), Data Visualization Software, Correlation Analysis, Web Scraping, NumPy, R Programming, Probability & Statistics, Predictive Modeling, Big Data, Automation, Computer Programming Tools, GitHub, Data Analysis Software, Machine Learning Algorithms, Unsupervised Learning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
111K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
IBM
Data Analysis and Visualization Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Big Data, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, IBM Cognos Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Data Mining, Dashboard, Apache Hadoop, Data Collection, Tree Maps, Excel Formulas, Apache Hive, Microsoft Excel, Data Quality, Data Cleansing, Data Import/Export
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
26K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
University of London
Probability and Statistics: To p or not to p?
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Methods, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Statistical Modeling, Data Analysis, Probability, Statistical Visualization, Probability Distribution, Statistical Analysis, Data Presentation, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Inference, Mathematical Modeling, Decision Tree Learning, Applied Mathematics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Johns Hopkins University
What are the Chances? Probability and Uncertainty in Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Regression Analysis, Probability, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Probability Distribution, Statistical Methods, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Inference, Sampling (Statistics), Combinatorics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Generalized Linear Models and Nonparametric Regression
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Modeling, R Programming, Data Analysis, Data Ethics, Statistical Methods, Regression Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Machine Learning, Statistical Inference, Probability Distribution
Build toward a degree
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
SkillUp EdTech
Advanced Statistical Analysis and Tools
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Process Controls, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Process Improvement, Lean Methodologies, Kaizen Methodology, Lean Six Sigma, Process Capability, Six Sigma Methodology, Risk Analysis, Quality Improvement, Process Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Continuous Improvement Process, Quality Assessment, Risk Management, Business Process, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Inference, Data Collection
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Columbia University
Causal Inference 2
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Inference, Econometrics, Advanced Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Regression Analysis, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Statistical Methods, Statistical Modeling, Research Design
3.4
Rating, 3.4 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IBM
Statistical Analysis Fundamentals using Excel
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Regression Analysis, Forecasting, Business Analytics, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Microsoft Excel, Statistics, Spreadsheet Software, Predictive Analytics, Probability
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
82 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California, Santa Cruz
Bayesian Statistics: Time Series Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Forecasting, R Programming, Bayesian Statistics, Advanced Analytics, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Statistical Inference, Regression Analysis, Data Analysis, Probability Distribution
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
16 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months