Analytics is the system of applying certain methods and techniques to understand the performance of data, generally in an organization or industry. The application of analytics can be used to uncover and interpret relevant patterns of data, which can be later used to make better decisions. Analytics relies on good data as part of its usefulness, as well as the aspects of statistics, computer programming, and operations research to quantify performance. Analytics exists in business when companies use statistics and software processes in assessing how a particular product, service, or project measures up in scope. Businesses perform analytics to pinpoint strengths, identify challenges or weaknesses that may exist, and pull out key data points to help make decisions regarding future growth for the organization.

Learning analytics is a key skill that helps you solve problems to existing challenges. When you use analytics tools to research data patterns, you use methods of analyzing performance characteristics that are essential to a business organization. This is important in today's world of big data. Understanding analytics can make you a valuable asset when assessing areas rich with recorded information, performance indicators, and target goals.

What are typical careers that use analytics?

Analytics is found in a wide range of careers, including business analyst, budget analyst, financial controller, data scientist, and operations researcher. Individuals who move into these and other careers in data analytics often work with raw data and algorithms through mechanical processes to make assumptions and theories. Essentially, with knowledge of analytics, you can move into a job that requires a familiarity with numeric relationships, data structures, and trends and metrics relevant to an organization.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn analytics?

When you take online courses in analytics, you can gain a new understanding of key concepts like data analysis and visualization, mathematical optimization, regression analysis, predictive modeling, and other areas focused on business analytics. Taking online courses about analytics can help you achieve basic data literacy to help you make more informed decisions in any area you work in, like finance, operations, or marketing. As you branch out, you may advance your analytics understanding to include how to extract and manipulate data points, how to use different statistical analysis methods to break down the data, and how to eventually interpret and present your findings.

What are the benefits of taking an online Analytics course?

Online Analytics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Analytics skills. With a wide range of Analytics classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Analytics career.

What Analytics courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Analytics, 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 Analytics Courses - Learn Analytics Online

Explore the Analytics Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
SAS
Performing Network, Path, and Text Analyses in SAS Visual Analytics
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Network Analysis, Text Mining, Spatial Analysis, Data Visualization, Geospatial Mapping, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Business Analysis, Natural Language Processing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
193 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia
Business Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Growth Strategies, Business Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Plan Execution, Mergers & Acquisitions, Competitive Analysis, Organizational Strategy, Business Ethics, Peer Review, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Corporate Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Governance, Stakeholder Management, New Business Development, Business Research, Analysis, Project Management, Innovation, Market Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.5K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
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
Status: Free Trial
Edureka
Advanced Analytics with Power BI
Skills you'll gain: Power BI, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Interactive Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Data Storytelling, Dashboard, Data Transformation, Business Reporting, Business Intelligence, Microsoft Excel, Data Analysis Software, Data Modeling, Data Manipulation, Data Integration, Data Cleansing, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
The Data Scientist’s Toolbox
Skills you'll gain: Rmarkdown, Version Control, Data Science, Big Data, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Data Analysis, R Programming, Statistical Programming, Development Environment, Integrated Development Environments, Software Installation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
34K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Systems Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Business Analysis, Systems Development Life Cycle, Business Process Modeling, Process Optimization, Requirements Management, Business Requirements, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Risk Analysis, Systems Analysis, Requirements Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Information Technology, Dashboard, Business Systems Analysis, IBM Cognos Analytics, Computer Hardware, Cloud Computing, Network Troubleshooting
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.4K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Unilever
Implementing Supply Chain Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Analytics, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Systems, Supply Chain Planning, Predictive Analytics, Forecasting, Inventory Management System, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Analytics, Advanced Analytics, Analytics, SQL, Data Presentation, Data Analysis, Technical Communication, Python Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
49 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Customer Data Analytics for Marketers
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Analytics, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Methods, Regression Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Ethics, Statistical Analysis, Marketing Effectiveness, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Customer Insights, Customer Analysis, Correlation Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Data Analysis, Analytics, Marketing Strategies, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Visualization, Statistical Modeling
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling
Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Regression Analysis, Business Modeling, Financial Modeling, Business Mathematics, Markov Model, Probability, Predictive Analytics, Process Optimization, Risk Management, Statistics, Probability Distribution, Simulation and Simulation Software, Forecasting
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
9.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Plot (Graphics), Statistical Analysis, Data Presentation, Ggplot2, Program Evaluation, Policy Analysis, Surveys, Data Ethics, Data Analysis, Tidyverse (R Package), Statistical Visualization, R Programming, Statistical Methods, Data Visualization Software, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Demography, Political Sciences, Public Policies
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
77 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Introduction to Data Science in Python
Skills you'll gain: Pandas (Python Package), Jupyter, NumPy, Data Manipulation, Data Science, Data Structures, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Pivot Tables And Charts, Data Cleansing, Data Import/Export, Probability & Statistics, Python Programming, Programming Principles
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
27K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Dartmouth College
Data Analytics for Digital Transformation
Skills you'll gain: Digital Transformation, Business Ethics, Customer experience improvement, Predictive Analytics, Simulation and Simulation Software, Business Transformation, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Operations Research, Analytics, Business Technologies, Business Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Feature Engineering, Business Modeling, Systems Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Process Optimization, Technology Strategies, Applied Machine Learning, Statistical Machine Learning
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months