Linear Regression for Business Statistics (Coursera)

Offered by Rice University,
Linear Regression for Business Statistics (Coursera)

Regression Analysis is perhaps the single most important Business Statistics tool used in the industry. Regression is the engine behind a multitude of data analytics applications used for many forms of forecasting and prediction. This is the fourth course in the specialization, "Business Statistics and Analysis". The course introduces you to the very important tool known as Linear Regression. You will learn to apply various procedures such as dummy variable regressions, transforming variables, and interaction effects. All these are introduced and explained using easy to understand examples in Microsoft Excel.

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

The focus of the course is on understanding and application, rather than detailed mathematical derivations.
Note: This course uses the ‘Data Analysis’ tool box which is standard with the Windows version of Microsoft Excel. It is also standard with the 2016 or later Mac version of Excel. However, it is not standard with earlier versions of Excel for Mac.
Course 4 of 5 in the Business Statistics and Analysis Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Module 1: Regression Analysis: An Introduction
In this module you will get introduced to the Linear Regression Model. We will build a regression model and estimate it using Excel. We will use the estimated model to infer relationships between various variables and use the model to make predictions. The module also introduces the notion of errors, residuals and R-square in a regression model.
Topics covered include:
• Introducing the Linear Regression
• Building a Regression Model and estimating it using Excel
• Making inferences using the estimated model
• Using the Regression model to make predictions
• Errors, Residuals and R-square

WEEK 2
Module 2: Regression Analysis: Hypothesis Testing and Goodness of Fit
This module presents different hypothesis tests you could do using the Regression output. These tests are an important part of inference and the module introduces them using Excel based examples. The p-values are introduced along with goodness of fit measures R-square and the adjusted R-square. Towards the end of module we introduce the ‘Dummy variable regression’ which is used to incorporate categorical variables in a regression.
Topics covered include:
• Hypothesis testing in a Linear Regression
• ‘Goodness of Fit’ measures (R-square, adjusted R-square)
• Dummy variable Regression (using Categorical variables in a Regression)

WEEK 3
Module 3: Regression Analysis: Dummy Variables, Multicollinearity
This module continues with the application of Dummy variable Regression. You get to understand the interpretation of Regression output in the presence of categorical variables. Examples are worked out to re-inforce various concepts introduced. The module also explains what is Multicollinearity and how to deal with it.
Topics covered include:
• Dummy variable Regression (using Categorical variables in a Regression)
• Interpretation of coefficients and p-values in the presence of Dummy variables
• Multicollinearity in Regression Models

WEEK 4
Module 4: Regression Analysis: Various Extensions
The module extends your understanding of the Linear Regression, introducing techniques such as mean-centering of variables and building confidence bounds for predictions using the Regression model. A powerful regression extension known as ‘Interaction variables’ is introduced and explained using examples. We also study the transformation of variables in a regression and in that context introduce the log-log and the semi-log regression models.
Topics covered include:
• Mean centering of variables in a Regression model
• Building confidence bounds for predictions using a Regression model
• Interaction effects in a Regression
• Transformation of variables
• The log-log and semi-log regression models

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

Related Courses

Analytics in Healthcare Management and Administration (Coursera) Coursera
Northeastern University

Analytics in Healthcare Management and Administration (Coursera)

This course is the continuation of Healthcare Analytics Essentials . If you have not yet taken the Healthcare Analytics Essentials course, it is recommended that you complete that course prior to this course. The foundational knowledge to support the project are carried through in this deeper dive into using healthcare analytics in management and administration.

Aug 17th 2026
4 Weeks
Matrix Methods (Coursera) Coursera
University of Minnesota

Matrix Methods (Coursera)

Mathematical Matrix Methods lie at the root of most methods of machine learning and data analysis of tabular data. Learn the basics of Matrix Methods, including matrix-matrix multiplication, solving linear equations, orthogonality, and best least squares approximation. Discover the Singular Value Decomposition that plays a fundamental role in dimensionality reduction, Principal Component Analysis, and noise reduction.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Matlab and Simulink Basics (Coursera) Coursera
Starweaver

Matlab and Simulink Basics (Coursera)

Matlab and Simulink Basics is a meticulously crafted course offering a comprehensive introduction to Matlab's programming environment and Simulink's modeling capabilities. This course is tailored for individuals keen on bolstering their skills in these indispensable tools for engineering, science, and research domains. From laying down foundational concepts to delving into practical applications, participants will embark on a journey that hones their abilities to manipulate data, design models, and interpret results with Matlab and Simulink.

Aug 17th 2026
4 Weeks
Redes Ecológicas (Coursera) Coursera
Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil

Redes Ecológicas (Coursera)

Todos os seres vivos estão conectados entre si por interações ecológicas, formando a “colina emaranhada” de Darwin, metáfora inspirada pela “teia da vida” de Humboldt. Desemaranhar essa complexidade é uma tarefa desafiadora, mas factível, desde que você use ferramentas adequadas. A ciência de redes nos ajuda com excelentes ferramentas conceituais e operacionais.

Aug 17th 2026
4 Weeks
Advanced Reproducibility in Cancer Informatics (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Advanced Reproducibility in Cancer Informatics (Coursera)

This course introduces tools that help enhance reproducibility and replicability in the context of cancer informatics. It uses hands-on exercises to demonstrate in practical terms how to get acquainted with these tools but is by no means meant to be a comprehensive dive into these tools. The course introduces tools and their concepts such as git and GitHub, code review, Docker, and GitHub actions.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Infonomics II: Business Information Management and Measurement (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Infonomics II: Business Information Management and Measurement (Coursera)

Even decades into the Information Age, accounting practices yet fail to recognize the financial value of information. Moreover, traditional asset management practices fail to recognize information as an asset to be managed with earnest discipline. This has led to a business culture of complacence, and the inability for most organizations to fully leverage available information assets. This second course in the two-part Infonomics series explores how and why to adapt well-honed asset management principles and practices to information, and how to apply accepted and new valuation models to gauge information’s potential and realized economic benefits.

Aug 17th 2026
4 Weeks
Structural Equation Model and its Applications | 结构方程模型及其应用 (普通话) (Coursera) Coursera
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Structural Equation Model and its Applications | 结构方程模型及其应用 (普通话) (Coursera)

在社会学、心理学、教育学、经济学、管理学、市场学等研究领域的数据分析中,结构方程建模是当前最前沿的统计方法中应用最广、研究最多的一个。它包含了方差分析、回归分析、路径分析和因子分析,弥补了传统回归分析和因子分析的不足,可以分析多因多果的联系、潜变量的关系,

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 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).

Aug 17th 2026
4 Weeks
Accounting Data Analytics with Python (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Accounting Data Analytics with Python (Coursera)

This course focuses on developing Python skills for assembling business data. It will cover some of the same material from Introduction to Accounting Data Analytics and Visualization, but in a more general purpose programming environment (Jupyter Notebook for Python), rather than in Excel and the Visual Basic Editor. These concepts are taught within the context of one or more accounting data domains (e.g., financial statement data from EDGAR, stock data, loan data, point-of-sale data).

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to PySpark (Coursera) Coursera
Edureka

Introduction to PySpark (Coursera)

Welcome to Introduction to PySpark, a short course strategically crafted to empower you with the skills needed to assess the concepts of Big Data Management and efficiently perform data analysis using PySpark. Throughout this short course, you will acquire the expertise to perform data processing with PySpark, enabling you to efficiently handle large-scale datasets, conduct advanced analytics, and derive valuable insights from diverse data sources.

Aug 17th 2026
1 Week