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

University of Colorado Boulder
Statistics and Data Analysis with Excel, Part 2
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Analysis, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Methods, Microsoft Excel, Probability & Statistics, Data Analysis, Regression Analysis, Statistical Inference, Statistical Modeling
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Washington
Machine Learning
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Applied Machine Learning, Feature Engineering, Machine Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Predictive Modeling, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Supervised Learning, Bayesian Statistics, Statistical Modeling, Deep Learning, Data Mining, Computer Vision, Statistical Machine Learning, Text Mining, Machine Learning Algorithms, Big Data, Statistical Inference, Dimensionality Reduction
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
16K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
SAS
Introduction to Statistical Analysis: Hypothesis Testing
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Analysis, Correlation Analysis, SAS (Software), Regression Analysis, Statistical Methods, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Modeling, Plot (Graphics), Data Analysis, Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
164 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Michigan
Linear Regression Modeling for Health Data
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Modeling, Regression Analysis, Statistical Methods, Statistical Inference, Probability & Statistics, Correlation Analysis, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Predictive Modeling
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
University of Amsterdam
Inferential Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Inference, Statistical Software, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Quantitative Research, Sampling (Statistics), Probability & Statistics, Regression Analysis, Probability Distribution
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
595 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Rice University
Linear Regression for Business Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Regression Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Inference, Business Analytics, Microsoft Excel, Estimation, Data Analysis, Forecasting
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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
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
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, Predictive Analytics, Probability & Statistics, 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
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
Status: Free
Ball State University
Statistical Methods for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Probability, Probability Distribution, Statistical Methods, Statistical Inference, Bayesian Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Modeling, R Programming, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Sampling (Statistics), Dimensionality Reduction, Statistical Visualization
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months