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

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
Google Cloud
Analyzing and Visualizing Data in Looker
Skills you'll gain: Looker (Software), Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Data Sharing, Data Presentation, Data Manipulation, Data Import/Export
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
355 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Johns Hopkins University
R Programming
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Analysis, R Programming, Statistical Programming, Data Analysis, Debugging, Simulations, Computer Programming Tools, Program Development, Data Structures, Performance Tuning, Data Import/Export
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
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, Systems Analysis, Risk 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
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: New
University of Minnesota
Analytics Project Ideation
Skills you'll gain: Predictive Analytics, Simulations, Exploratory Data Analysis, Experimentation, Research Design, Business Analytics, Operations Research, Project Design, Simulation and Simulation Software, Customer Analysis, A/B Testing, Data Mining, Business Analysis, Analytical Skills, Ideation, Sprint Planning, Advanced Analytics, Applied Machine Learning, Data Analysis, Process Mapping
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
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
Edureka
Applied Data Analytics with Python and SQL
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, SQL, Pandas (Python Package), Database Management, Databases, Microsoft SQL Servers, Data Manipulation, Data Literacy, Data Analysis, NumPy, Data Visualization Software, Data Processing, Data Cleansing, Programming Principles, Python Programming, Scripting, Scripting Languages
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of California San Diego
Python Data Products for Predictive Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Supervised Learning, Feature Engineering, Predictive Modeling, Data Processing, Data Manipulation, Applied Machine Learning, Interactive Data Visualization, Design Thinking, Advanced Analytics, Web Scraping, Machine Learning Algorithms, Flask (Web Framework), Data Visualization Software, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Application Deployment, Data Science, Data Validation, Verification And Validation, Django (Web Framework), Regression Analysis
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
245 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Duke University
Data Science Math Skills
Skills you'll gain: Probability, Bayesian Statistics, General Mathematics, Calculus, Graphing, Statistics, Data Science, Data Analysis, Plot (Graphics), Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, Derivatives
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Rice University
Business Statistics and Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Microsoft Excel, Pivot Tables And Charts, Regression Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Graphing, Spreadsheet Software, Probability Distribution, Business Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Excel Formulas, Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Statistics, Business Analysis, Statistical Methods, Sample Size Determination, Statistical Inference
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Accounting Data Analytics with Python
Skills you'll gain: Jupyter, Matplotlib, Pandas (Python Package), Data Manipulation, SQL, Data Visualization Software, Seaborn, Data Processing, Data Structures, NumPy, Programming Principles, Business Analysis, Databases, Accounting, Relational Databases, Data Modeling, Python Programming, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Machine Learning, Regression Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
108 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months