Improving your statistical inferences (Coursera)

Improving your statistical inferences (Coursera)

This course aims to help you to draw better statistical inferences from empirical research. First, we will discuss how to correctly interpret p-values, effect sizes, confidence intervals, Bayes Factors, and likelihood ratios, and how these statistics answer different questions you might be interested in. Then, you will learn how to design experiments where the false positive rate is controlled, and how to decide upon the sample size for your study, for example in order to achieve high statistical power.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Subsequently, you will learn how to interpret evidence in the scientific literature given widespread publication bias, for example by learning about p-curve analysis. Finally, we will talk about how to do philosophy of science, theory construction, and cumulative science, including how to perform replication studies, why and how to pre-register your experiment, and how to share your results following Open Science principles.
In practical, hands on assignments, you will learn how to simulate t-tests to learn which p-values you can expect, calculate likelihood ratio's and get an introduction the binomial Bayesian statistics, and learn about the positive predictive value which expresses the probability published research findings are true. We will experience the problems with optional stopping and learn how to prevent these problems by using sequential analyses. You will calculate effect sizes, see how confidence intervals work through simulations, and practice doing a-priori power analyses. Finally, you will learn how to examine whether the null hypothesis is true using equivalence testing and Bayesian statistics, and how to pre-register a study, and share your data on the Open Science Framework.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction + Frequentist Statistics
Week 2: Likelihoods & Bayesian Statistics
Week 3: Multiple Comparisons, Statistical Power, Pre-Registration
Week 4: Effect Sizes
Week 5: Confidence Intervals, Sample Size Justification, P-Curve analysis
Week 6: Philosophy of Science & Theory
Week 7: Open Science
Week 8: Final Exam

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Probability and Statistics: To p or not to p? (Coursera) Coursera
University of London

Probability and Statistics: To p or not to p? (Coursera)

We live in an uncertain and complex world, yet we continually have to make decisions in the present with uncertain future outcomes. Indeed, we should be on the look-out for "black swans" - low-probability high-impact events. To study, or not to study? To invest, or not to invest? To marry, or not to marry?

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Bayesian Statistics: Techniques and Models (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Santa Cruz

Bayesian Statistics: Techniques and Models (Coursera)

This is the second of a two-course sequence introducing the fundamentals of Bayesian statistics. It builds on the course Bayesian Statistics: From Concept to Data Analysis, which introduces Bayesian methods through use of simple conjugate models. Real-world data often require more sophisticated models to reach realistic conclusions. This course aims to expand our “Bayesian toolbox” with more general models, and computational techniques to fit them.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Inferential Statistical Analysis with Python (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Inferential Statistical Analysis with Python (Coursera)

In this course, we will explore basic principles behind using data for estimation and for assessing theories. We will analyze both categorical data and quantitative data, starting with one population techniques and expanding to handle comparisons of two populations. We will learn how to construct confidence intervals. We will also use sample data to assess whether or not a theory about the value of a parameter is consistent with the data. A major focus will be on interpreting inferential results appropriately.

Sep 7th 2026
4 Weeks
Statistics and Data Analysis with Excel, Part 2 (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Statistics and Data Analysis with Excel, Part 2 (Coursera)

This course is meant to be a direct continuation of "Statistics and Data Analysis with Excel, Part 1." Therefore, it is not recommended to take Part 2 unless you've also taken Part 1. Building on the topics learned in Part 1 of the course (probability, probability mass and density functions, the normal and standard normal distributions), this course dives into a more applied side of statistics.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Data Science in Real Life (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Data Science in Real Life (Coursera)

Have you ever had the perfect data science experience? The data pull went perfectly. There were no merging errors or missing data. Hypotheses were clearly defined prior to analyses. Randomization was performed for the treatment of interest. The analytic plan was outlined prior to analysis and followed exactly. The conclusions were clear and actionable decisions were obvious. Has that every happened to you? Of course not. Data analysis in real life is messy. How does one manage a team facing real data analyses? In this one-week course, we contrast the ideal with what happens in real life. By contrasting the ideal, you will learn key concepts that will help you manage real life analyses.

Sep 7th 2026
1 Week
Causal Inference (Coursera) Coursera
Columbia University

Causal Inference (Coursera)

This course offers a rigorous mathematical survey of causal inference at the Master’s level. Inferences about causation are of great importance in science, medicine, policy, and business. This course provides an introduction to the statistical literature on causal inference that has emerged in the last 35-40 years and that has revolutionized the way in which statisticians and applied researchers in many disciplines use data to make inferences about causal relationships.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Python and Statistics for Financial Analysis (Coursera) Coursera
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST

Python and Statistics for Financial Analysis (Coursera)

Python is now becoming the number 1 programming language for data science. Due to python’s simplicity and high readability, it is gaining its importance in the financial industry. The course combines both python coding and statistical concepts and applies into analyzing financial data, such as stock data.

Sep 7th 2026
4 Weeks
Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age (Coursera)

Most professions these days require more than general intelligence. They require in addition the ability to collect, analyze and think about data. Personal life is enriched when these same skills are applied to problems in everyday life involving judgment and choice. This course presents basic concepts from statistics, probability, scientific methodology, cognitive psychology and cost-benefit theory and shows how they can be applied to everything from picking one product over another to critiquing media accounts of scientific research. Concepts are defined briefly and breezily and then applied to many examples drawn from business, the media and everyday life.

Sep 7th 2026
4 Weeks
Principles of fMRI 1 (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Principles of fMRI 1 (Coursera)

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is the most widely used technique for investigating the living, functioning human brain as people perform tasks and experience mental states. It is a convergence point for multidisciplinary work from many disciplines. Psychologists, statisticians, physicists, computer scientists, neuroscientists, medical researchers, behavioral scientists, engineers, public health researchers, biologists, and others are coming together to advance our understanding of the human mind and brain. This course covers the design, acquisition, and analysis of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data, including psychological inference, MR Physics, K Space, experimental design, pre-processing of fMRI data, as well as Generalized Linear Models (GLM’s).

Sep 14th 2026
4 Weeks
Improving Your Statistical Questions (Coursera) Coursera
Eindhoven University of Technology

Improving Your Statistical Questions (Coursera)

This course aims to help you to ask better statistical questions when performing empirical research. We will discuss how to design informative studies, both when your predictions are correct, as when your predictions are wrong. We will question norms, and reflect on how we can improve research practices to ask more interesting questions.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Business Applications of Hypothesis Testing and Confidence Interval Estimation (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

Business Applications of Hypothesis Testing and Confidence Interval Estimation (Coursera)

Confidence intervals and Hypothesis tests are very important tools in the Business Statistics toolbox. A mastery over these topics will help enhance your business decision making and allow you to understand and measure the extent of ‘risk’ or ‘uncertainty’ in various business processes. This course advances your knowledge about Business Statistics by introducing you to Confidence Intervals and Hypothesis Testing. These are done by easy to understand applications.

Sep 7th 2026
4 Weeks