Thursday, August 28, 2014

Sep-Nov: Data Analysis and Statistical Inference (Duke University)

Sept 1-Nov 10, 2014 through Coursera
https://www.coursera.org/course/statistics

This course introduces you to the discipline of statistics as a science of understanding and analyzing data. You will learn how to effectively make use of data in the face of uncertainty: how to collect data, how to analyze data, and how to use data to make inferences and conclusions about real world phenomena.

The goals of this course are as follows:

    Recognize the importance of data collection, identify limitations in data collection methods, and determine how they affect the scope of inference.
    Use statistical software (R) to summarize data numerically and visually, and to perform data analysis.
    Have a conceptual understanding of the unified nature of statistical inference.
    Apply estimation and testing methods (confidence intervals and hypothesis tests) to analyze single variables and the relationship between two variables in order to understand natural phenomena and make data-based decisions.
    Model and investigate relationships between two or more variables within a regression framework.
    Interpret results correctly, effectively, and in context without relying on statistical jargon.
    Critique data-based claims and evaluate data-based decisions.
    Complete a research project that employs simple statistical inference and modeling techniques.