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

Board Infinity
Generative AI in HR - Impact and Application of Gen AI
Skills you'll gain: HR Tech, People Analytics, Human Resources Management and Planning, Human Resources, Data Ethics, Generative AI, Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, Recruitment, Human Resource Strategy, Training Programs, Employee Training, Workforce Planning, Artificial Intelligence, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Information Privacy
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
204 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Text Mining and Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Text Mining, Data Mining, Unstructured Data, Statistical Analysis, Natural Language Processing, Analytics, Data Analysis, Unsupervised Learning, Probability & Statistics, Regression Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Supervised Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
734 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Introduction to Business Analytics: Communicating with Data
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Data Visualization, Data Collection, Data Quality, Business Analytics, Data Visualization Software, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Analysis, Communication, R Programming
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
628 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Introduction to Business Analytics with R
Skills you'll gain: Tidyverse (R Package), Data Processing, Business Analytics, Data Wrangling, Data Transformation, Business Intelligence, Data Manipulation, R Programming, Business Process, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Statistical Programming, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Import/Export
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
284 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
Inventory Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Inventory Management, Inventory Control, Inventory Control Systems, Inventory Accounting, Inventory and Warehousing, Product Assortment, Financial Analysis, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Benchmarking, Operational Efficiency, Analysis, Analytics, Competitive Analysis, Data Analysis Software
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
245 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Applying Data Analytics in Marketing
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Analytics, Regression Analysis, Network Analysis, Market Analysis, Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Customer Insights, Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Text Mining, Unstructured Data, Social Media, Natural Language Processing
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
187 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
University of Leeds
Exploratory Data Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Statistical Modeling, Statistics, Data Analysis, Statistical Inference, R Programming, Descriptive Statistics, Box Plots, Data Visualization Software, Histogram, Probability, Simulations
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Knowledge Accelerators
From Excel to Power BI
Skills you'll gain: Power BI, Dashboard, Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Import/Export, Business Intelligence, Microsoft Excel, Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Sharing, Data Modeling
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Unilever
Unilever Supply Chain Data Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Data Governance, Descriptive Analytics, Data Storytelling, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Demand Planning, Presentations, Supply Chain Systems, Supply Chain Planning, Process Improvement, Data Management, Data Lakes, Predictive Analytics, Customer Demand Planning, Forecasting, Data Analysis, Data Analysis Software, Real Time Data, Data Visualization Software, Inventory Management System
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
424 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Introduction to Accounting Data Analytics and Visualization
Skills you'll gain: Tableau Software, Data Visualization Software, Excel Macros, Analytics, Accounting and Finance Software, Specialized Accounting, Analytical Skills, Pivot Tables And Charts, Accounting Systems, Business Analytics, Microsoft Excel, Data Collection, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Analysis, Regression Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
442 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
SAS
SAS Visual Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Network Analysis, Trend Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Forecasting, Data Quality, Text Mining, Exploratory Data Analysis, Ad Hoc Reporting, Spatial Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Spatial Analysis, Dashboard, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Business Analytics, Interactive Data Visualization, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Predictive Analytics, Data Visualization
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Digital Marketing Analytics in Theory
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Analytics, Web Analytics, Marketing Effectiveness, Digital Marketing, Marketing Strategies, Analytics, Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Data Collection, Regulatory Compliance
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks