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

Football: More than a Game (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Football: More than a Game (Coursera)

Explore the world of football (soccer), the money, the rivalries, the trends, the past, the present, the men’s game, the women's game and the real issues. Whether you love it, hate it or try to ignore it – join us as we go behind the scenes to examine why football is more than just a game.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Fundamentals of Data Analysis in Excel (Coursera) Coursera
Corporate Finance Institute

Fundamentals of Data Analysis in Excel (Coursera)

Excel is the most widely used analysis tool in the world and a great starting point for diving into data analysis. In this course, you’ll apply Excel’s native tools to structure your data into spreadsheets and tables. You’ll then analyze and produce insights from that data using pivot tables. Finally, you’ll visualize those insights by building a dashboard in Excel. You’ll apply these skills using modern functionality like dynamic array formulas, linked data types, and Ideas in Excel. You’ll work hands-on with real-world scenarios, using datasets pulled from financial statements and retail sales.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Julia Scientific Programming (Coursera) Coursera
University of Cape Town

Julia Scientific Programming (Coursera)

This four-module course introduces users to Julia as a first language. Julia is a high-level, high-performance dynamic programming language developed specifically for scientific computing. This language will be particularly useful for applications in physics, chemistry, astronomy, engineering, data science, bioinformatics and many more.

Sep 14th 2026
4 Weeks
Case studies in business analytics with ACCENTURE (Coursera) Coursera
ESSEC Business School

Case studies in business analytics with ACCENTURE (Coursera)

This course is RESTRICTED TO LEARNERS ENROLLED IN Strategic Business Analytics SPECIALIZATION as a preparation to the capstone project. During the first two MOOCs, we focused on specific techniques for specific applications. Instead, with this third MOOC, we provide you with different examples to open your mind to different applications from different industries and sectors. The objective is to give you an helicopter overview on what's happening in this field. You will see how the tools presented in the two previous courses of the Specialization are used in real life projects.

Sep 21st 2026
3 Weeks
Interprofessional Healthcare Informatics (Coursera) Coursera
University of Minnesota

Interprofessional Healthcare Informatics (Coursera)

Interprofessional Healthcare Informatics is a graduate-level, hands-on interactive exploration of real informatics tools and techniques offered by the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota's National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. We will be incorporating technology-enabled educational innovations to bring the subject matter to life. Over the 10 modules, we will create a vital online learning community and a working healthcare informatics network.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
SQL: A Practical Introduction for Querying Databases (Coursera) Coursera
IBM

SQL: A Practical Introduction for Querying Databases (Coursera)

Much of the world's data lives in databases. SQL (or Structured Query Language) is a powerful programming language that is used for communicating with and manipulating data in databases. A working knowledge of databases and SQL is a must for anyone who wants to start a career in Data Engineering, Data Warehousing, Data Analytics, Data Science or Business Intelligence. The purpose of this course is to help you learn and apply foundational and intermediate knowledge of the SQL language, and become familiar with many relational database (RDBMS) concepts along the way.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Doing Economics: Measuring Climate Change (Coursera) Coursera
University of London,University College London,CORE

Doing Economics: Measuring Climate Change (Coursera)

This course will give you practical experience in working with real-world data, with applications to important policy issues in today’s society. Each week, you will learn specific data handling skills in Excel and use these techniques to analyse climate change data, with appropriate readings to provide background information on the data you are working with. You will also learn about the consequences of climate change and how governments can address this issue.

Sep 21st 2026
4 Weeks
Bayesian Statistics: Mixture Models (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Santa Cruz

Bayesian Statistics: Mixture Models (Coursera)

Bayesian Statistics: Mixture Models introduces you to an important class of statistical models. The course is organized in five modules, each of which contains lecture videos, short quizzes, background reading, discussion prompts, and one or more peer-reviewed assignments. Statistics is best learned by doing it, not just watching a video, so the course is structured to help you learn through application.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks