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Statistical Inference

Roger D. Peng, PhD, Brian Caffo, PhD, and Jeff Leek, PhD

Statistical inference is the process of drawing conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data. There are many modes of performing inference including statistical modeling, data oriented strategies and explicit use of designs and randomization in analyses. Furthermore, there are broad theories (frequentists, Bayesian, likelihood, design based, …) and numerous complexities (missing data, observed and unobserved confounding, biases) for performing inference. A practitioner can often be left in a debilitating maze of techniques, philosophies and nuance. This course presents the fundamentals of inference in a practical approach for getting things done. After taking this course, students will understand the broad directions of statistical inference and use this information for making informed choices in analyzing data.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Probability & Expected Values
This week, we'll focus on the fundamentals including probability, random variables, expectations and more.
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Week 2: Variability, Distribution, & Asymptotics
We're going to tackle variability, distributions, limits, and confidence intervals.
Week: Intervals, Testing, & Pvalues
We will be taking a look at intervals, testing, and pvalues in this lesson.
Week 4: Power, Bootstrapping, & Permutation Tests
We will begin looking into power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Combines practical and theoretical perspectives on statistical inference
Instructors have a strong reputation in the field of statistical inference
Suitable for learners with a basic understanding of statistics
Covers essential concepts in statistical inference, including probability, distributions, and hypothesis testing
Provides hands-on exercises and examples to reinforce learning
Requires learners to have access to statistical software

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Reviews summary

Statistical inference: foundational concepts

According to students, Statistical Inference is a foundational course that is not easy, difficult, and requires a fairly strong background in statistics to follow along. Lectures move too fast and can be confusing. The material is solid and interesting, but it is poorly described and presented as slides with a lot of dense mathematical notation and mediocre voiceovers. Despite the poor presentation, there are many real life examples and the instructor tries hard to improve the course over time.
Content is solid, but poorly presented.
"The material in the class is solid, but is poorly described."
"I started to get familiar with statistical language and satisfied with the course."
"That was what i did actually. I needed to study for a couple of months to have a good understand of this lesson."
Lectures are fast-paced, confusing, and difficult to follow.
"The course covers quite a lot of material, very quickly."
"Awful course with really poor lectures - they are confusing even if you know some statistics."
"The course covers many different topics in the span of 4 weeks from basic probability and distributions to T tests, p values and statistical power. The lectures take the form of slideshows with a lot of dense mathematical notation, small text and mediocre voiceovers."
Recommended for learners with prior knowledge in statistics.
"Unfortunately, the material, while nominally for beginners, requires a decently strong statistics background."
"Too much content for a few weeks, if you don´t have a clue about statistics, It will be hard."
"You'll need to complete this course for the JHU Data Science specialization but you will likely struggle if you don't already have a strong background in statistical inference."

Career center

Learners who complete Statistical Inference will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Market Researcher
A **Market Researcher** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data in the field of marketing. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Market Researchers to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Risk Analyst
A **Risk Analyst** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data in the field of risk management. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Risk Analysts to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Quantitative Analyst
A **Quantitative Analyst** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data in the field of finance. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Quantitative Analysts to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Actuary
An **Actuary** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data in the field of insurance. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Actuaries to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Epidemiologist
An **Epidemiologist** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data in the field of public health. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Epidemiologists to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Biostatistician
A **Biostatistician** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data in the field of biology. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Biostatisticians to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Data Scientist
A **Data Scientist** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Data Scientists to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Operations Research Analyst
An **Operations Research Analyst** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data in the field of operations research. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Operations Research Analysts to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Statistician
A **Statistician** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Statisticians to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Data Analyst
A **Data Analyst** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Data Analysts to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Machine Learning Engineer
A **Machine Learning Engineer** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Machine Learning Engineers to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Business Analyst
A **Business Analyst** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Business Analysts to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Economist
An **Economist** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Economists to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Financial Analyst
A **Financial Analyst** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Financial Analysts to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Data Engineer
A **Data Engineer** uses statistical inference to make conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data. This course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of inference, including probability, random variables, expectations, variability, distributions, limits, confidence intervals, intervals, testing, pvalues, power, bootstrapping, and permutation tests. These concepts are essential for Data Engineers to be able to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.

Reading list

We've selected 30 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Statistical Inference.
This is an advanced textbook on statistical inference. It provides a comprehensive treatment of the theory of statistical inference, including Bayesian and frequentist approaches. The book valuable reference for researchers and graduate students in statistics.
Good choice for students who want to learn more about the statistical inference and data analysis. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of probability theory to the latest advances in statistical methods.
Practical guide to predictive modeling. It covers a wide range of topics, including data preparation, model selection, and model evaluation. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to learn how to build predictive models.
Practical guide to machine learning using Python. It covers a wide range of topics, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and model selection. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to learn how to build machine learning models using Python.
Classic textbook on statistical inference. It covers the basics of probability theory, including random variables, distributions, and expectations. It then discusses the different types of statistical inference, including point estimation, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing.
Comprehensive introduction to statistical inference. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of probability theory to the latest advances in statistical methods. It good choice for students who want to learn more about the foundations of statistical inference.
Good choice for students who want to learn more about the latest advances in statistical methods. It covers a wide range of topics, from machine learning to data mining.
Good choice for students who want to learn more about the theoretical foundations of statistical inference. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of probability theory to the latest advances in statistical methods.
Good choice for students who want to learn more about the mathematical foundations of statistical inference. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of probability theory to the latest advances in statistical methods.
Good choice for students who want to learn more about the statistical inference for stochastic processes. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of probability theory to the latest advances in statistical methods.
Good choice for students who want to learn more about the statistical inference for time series and regression models. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of probability theory to the latest advances in statistical methods.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to causal inference. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to learn about the methods and challenges of causal inference.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to Bayesian data analysis. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to learn about the methods and challenges of Bayesian data analysis.
Provides an overview of interpretable machine learning. It covers a wide range of topics, including model interpretability, model explainability, and model debugging. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to learn more about interpretable machine learning.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to Bayesian statistics with examples in R and Stan. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to learn about the methods and challenges of Bayesian statistics with examples in R and Stan.
Provides an introduction to statistical methods used in medical research, including modeling, design, and analysis of clinical trials. The book valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in biostatistics.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to statistical inference via data science using R and the tidyverse. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to learn about the methods and challenges of statistical inference via data science using R and the tidyverse.
Good choice for students who want to learn more about the more advanced topics in statistical inference. It covers topics such as decision theory, Bayesian inference, and the bootstrap.
Bayesian approach to statistical inference. It introduces the basic concepts of Bayesian statistics and shows how to apply them to a variety of problems. It good choice for students who want to learn more about the Bayesian approach to statistics.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to reinforcement learning. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to learn about the methods and challenges of reinforcement learning.
Good resource for students who want to learn more about the basics of probability and statistics. It covers the basics, such as random variables, distributions, and expectations, in a clear and concise way. It also includes a number of examples and exercises to help students understand the concepts.
Good choice for students who want to learn more about the statistical methods used in psychology. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic statistics to more advanced methods such as ANOVA and regression.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to deep learning, covering topics such as neural networks, convolutional neural networks, and recurrent neural networks. The book valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in machine learning and data science.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to pattern recognition and machine learning, covering topics such as supervised and unsupervised learning, model selection, and overfitting. The book valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in machine learning and data science.
Provides a gentle introduction to statistical learning, covering topics such as supervised and unsupervised learning, model selection, and overfitting. The book valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in machine learning and data science.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to probability and statistics, covering topics such as probability distributions, statistical inference, and regression analysis. The book valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in engineering and science.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to mathematical statistics and data analysis, covering topics such as probability theory, statistical inference, and regression analysis. The book valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in statistics.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to statistical analysis with missing data, covering topics such as missing data mechanisms, missing data imputation, and statistical inference with missing data. The book valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in statistics.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to causal inference, covering topics such as causal models, causal effects, and causal inference methods. The book valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in statistics.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to Bayesian data analysis, covering topics such as Bayesian models, Bayesian inference, and Bayesian computing. The book valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in statistics.

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