FutureLearn

Why Numbers Matter: Quantitative Research (FutureLearn)

Offered by Griffith University, Deakin University,
Why Numbers Matter: Quantitative Research (FutureLearn)

Learn how to use quantitative research to make difficult decisions and solve real-world problems. We use numbers in everyday life to make hundreds of small decisions that quickly add up to something bigger. This course will help you to harness the power of quantitative research to make better informed decisions and solve real-world problems.

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

You’ll improve your understanding of how to use statistical analysis to draw meaningful conclusions from numerical data.
Whether it’s making an important financial investment, or testing the effectiveness of workplace practices, quantitative research helps us to make difficult decisions for ourselves and our communities.

What topics will you cover?

  • Why numbers matter in quantitative research
  • How to use statistics to analyse data and solve real world problems
  • How to formulate research questions, informed by accurate and reliable measurement
  • How to select and justify an appropriate research method to answer your question
  • The close relationship between quantitative and qualitative research
  • What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Apply statistical analysis, including types of data, averages, proportions and confidence intervals, to make decisions about real world problems.
  • Calculate bivariate correlations using computer software
  • Develop an appropriate quantitative study design to answer a research question
  • Justify the role of quantitative research in your research project
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age (Coursera)

Health & Society Social Sciences

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.

Aug 24th 2026
4 Weeks
Statistics Probability Cognitive Psychology
Details
Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Michigan

Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age (FutureLearn)

Health & Society Business

Apply basic concepts from statistics, probability, scientific methodology and cognitive psychology into your way of thinking. Learn how to think critically and analytically. This four-week critical thinking 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.

Available now
4 Weeks
Statistics Probability Cognitive Psychology
Details
Data Science in Real Life (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Data Science in Real Life (Coursera)

Management & Leadership Statistics & Data Analysis

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.

Aug 24th 2026
1 Week
Statistics Machine Learning Data Management
Details
Statistics Using Python (edX) EdX
University of Wisconsin–Madison,WisconsinX

Statistics Using Python (edX)

Statistics & Data Analysis CS: Programming

Learn the fundamentals of statistics using Python. This course is a compact primer in statistics as a foundation for data-driven business analysis. A selection of concepts include descriptive statistics, probability, inference, correlation, and regression. The course also exposes students to basic Python programming for use in statistics.

Sep 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Python Statistics Probability
Details
Fundamentals of Statistics (edX) EdX
MIT,MITx

Fundamentals of Statistics (edX)

Statistics & Data Analysis

Develop a deep understanding of the principles that underpin statistical inference: estimation, hypothesis testing and prediction. Statistics is the science of turning data into insights and ultimately decisions. Behind recent advances in machine learning, data science and artificial intelligence are fundamental statistical principles. The purpose of this class is to develop and understand these core ideas on firm mathematical grounds starting from the construction of estimators and tests, as well as an analysis of their asymptotic performance.

Aug 26th 2026
13-24 Weeks
Statistics Linear Models Confidence Intervals
Details
Math for MBA and GMAT Prep (Coursera) Coursera
Emory University

Math for MBA and GMAT Prep (Coursera)

Business

This course gives participants a basic understanding of statistics as they apply in business situations. A fair share of students considering MBA programs come from backgrounds that do not include a large amount of training in mathematics and statistics. Often, students find themselves at a disadvantage when they apply for or enroll in MBA programs. This course will give you the tools to understand how these business statistics are calculated for navigating the built-in formulas that are included in Excel, but also how to apply these formulas in an range of business settings and situations.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Statistics Excel Statistical Analysis
Details
Practical Time Series Analysis (Coursera) Coursera
The State University of New York

Practical Time Series Analysis (Coursera)

Statistics & Data Analysis Data Science

Many of us are "accidental" data analysts. We trained in the sciences, business, or engineering and then found ourselves confronted with data for which we have no formal analytic training. This course is designed for people with some technical competencies who would like more than a "cookbook" approach, but who still need to concentrate on the routine sorts of presentation and analysis that deepen the understanding of our professional topics.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Statistics Probability Equations
Details
A Crash Course in Data Science (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

A Crash Course in Data Science (Coursera)

Management & Leadership Statistics & Data Analysis

By now you have definitely heard about data science and big data. In this one-week class, we will provide a crash course in what these terms mean and how they play a role in successful organizations. This class is for anyone who wants to learn what all the data science action is about, including those who will eventually need to manage data scientists. The goal is to get you up to speed as quickly as possible on data science without all the fluff. We've designed this course to be as convenient as possible without sacrificing any of the essentials.

Aug 24th 2026
1 Week
Statistics Software Engineering Machine Learning
Details
Harnessing the Power Of Data: Introduction to Data-Driven Decision-Making (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University

Harnessing the Power Of Data: Introduction to Data-Driven Decision-Making (FutureLearn)

Engineering Business

Have the chance to learn how to assess and critique data sources and information to help you make informed business decisions. Informed management decision-making comes from clearly distinguishing between data, information, knowledge and their sources. On this course, you’ll have the opportunity to explore how to evaluate different sources of data and information and acquire knowledge from them.

No sessions available
2 Weeks
Statistics Data Data Management
Details
Fundamentos de estadística aplicada (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad de los Andes

Fundamentos de estadística aplicada (Coursera)

Statistics & Data Analysis CS: Programming

El curso está orientado a profesionales de diferentes campos, que estén interesados en adquirir conceptos fundamentales de estadística aplicada. El contenido del curso será particularmente útil para profesionales que estén interesados en adelantar estudios de postgrado en ingeniería, administración o economía, entre otras profesiones, y que requieran de una adecuada fundamentación en estadística.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Statistics Data Analysis Linear Regression
Details