What are the best research courses online?

Browse the research courses below—popular starting points on Coursera. Understanding Research Methods: University of London Research Methodologies: Queen Mary University of London Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics: University of Cape Town Qualitative Research: University of California, Davis Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts: Google Qualitative Research Methods: University of Amsterdam Quantitative Research: University of California, Davis

What skills can I learn in research courses on Coursera?

Research courses on Coursera provide learners with essential skills for conducting rigorous and effective research, including: Fundamental principles of scientific research, including hypothesis formation, experimental design, and data interpretation. Qualitative research methods such as interviews, focus groups, and ethnography for gathering in-depth insights. Quantitative research techniques including surveys, statistical analysis, and data visualization. Skills for writing research proposals, conducting literature reviews, and publishing research findings. Best practices for ethical research, including considerations for human subjects and data privacy. Use of software tools and technologies for data collection, analysis, and presentation. Application of research skills in various disciplines such as social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.

Do I need prior experience in research to start these courses?

Coursera’s Research courses are suitable for learners of all backgrounds: Beginners: No prior experience is needed. Introductory courses cover basic concepts and guide you through simple research projects. Intermediate Learners: Those with some background in research can enhance their skills in specific methodologies or explore new research areas. Advanced Professionals: Experienced researchers can find advanced courses that focus on complex research designs, statistical techniques, and publication strategies.

What career opportunities are available with skills in Research?

Skills gained from Research courses can lead to a variety of career opportunities across academia, industry, and government sectors, such as: Research Scientist : Conducting studies and experiments to advance knowledge in specific scientific fields. Data Analyst : Utilizing statistical tools to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights. Market Research Analyst : Analyzing consumer behavior and market trends to inform business strategies. Academic Researcher: Engaging in scholarly research that contributes to academic knowledge and teaching. Policy Analyst: Researching and evaluating the impacts of public policies to guide government and non-profit decision making.

Can I take free research courses on Coursera?

Yes. You can start learning research skills on Coursera for free in two ways: Preview the first module of many research courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available). Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial. If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in research, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.

Best Research Courses & Certificates [2026]

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Research

Research Courses

Research courses can help you learn data collection techniques, statistical analysis, literature review methods, and experimental design. You can build skills in critical thinking, hypothesis testing, and effective communication of findings. Many courses introduce tools like SPSS, R, and Python for data analysis, as well as reference management software such as EndNote or Zotero, which support the organization and presentation of research projects.

Popular Research Courses and Certifications

Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Introduction to Academic Research
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Research, Research Methodologies, Personal Development, Research Design, Research and Design, Curiosity, Science and Research, Problem Solving, Persistence, Persuasive Communication, Time Management, Student Engagement, Goal Setting, Journals, Communication, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Strategic Thinking, Decision Making, Safety and Security
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
University of London
Understanding Research Methods
Skills you'll gain: Research Methodologies, Research Design, Research, Surveys, Research Reports, Qualitative Research, Writing, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Data Collection
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
8.8K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Queen Mary University of London
Research Methodologies
Skills you'll gain: Qualitative Research, Research Methodologies, Surveys, Science and Research, Data Collection, Focus Group, Research, Market Research, Research Design, Sample Size Determination, Interviewing Skills, Probability & Statistics, Case Studies
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
625 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Market Research
Skills you'll gain: Surveys, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Focus Group, Quantitative Research, Qualitative Research, Data Synthesis, Market Research, Proposal Writing, Data Storytelling, Statistical Analysis, Presentations, Discussion Facilitation, Marketing Analytics, Marketing, Research Methodologies, Research, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Market Analysis, Business Research
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
National Taiwan University
Operations Research (1): Models and Applications
Skills you'll gain: Operations Research, Mathematical Modeling, Process Optimization, Business Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Business Modeling, Industrial Engineering, Business Operations, Operations Management, Resource Allocation, Business Analytics, Production Planning, Inventory Management System, Case Studies, Microsoft Excel, Scheduling, Linear Algebra, Decision Making, Portfolio Management, Algorithms
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
572 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
American Psychological Association
Psychological Research
Skills you'll gain: Institutional Review Board (IRB), Data Visualization, Descriptive Statistics, Quantitative Research, Plot (Graphics), Data Literacy, Scientific Methods, Graphing, Research Design, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Probability & Statistics, Research, Statistical Inference, Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Surveys, Sample Size Determination, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Data Analysis, Research and Design
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
274 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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Explore topics outside of work

Status: Preview
University of Cape Town
Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Biostatistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Probability & Statistics, Diagnostic Tests, Clinical Research, Statistical Analysis, Quantitative Research, Statistics, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Inference, Data Collection, Probability
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Queen Mary University of London
Market Research
Skills you'll gain: Qualitative Research, Proposal Development, Market Research, Research Reports, Data Collection, Research Design, Research Methodologies, Analytics, Data Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Survey Creation, Statistical Analysis, Surveys, Correlation Analysis, Quantitative Research, Research, Science and Research, Market Analysis, Focus Group, Regression Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
709 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Quantitative Research
Skills you'll gain: Surveys, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Quantitative Research, Statistical Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Market Research, Data Analysis, Marketing, Target Market, Market Analysis, Regression Analysis, Sample Size Determination, Quality Control
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
344 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Google
Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts
Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Research, Usability Testing, Presentations, User Experience Design, User Research, Data Ethics, User Centered Design, Research Design, Prototyping, Research Methodologies, Wireframing, Information Privacy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
User Experience Research and Design
Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Research, Surveys, Qualitative Research, Usability Testing, User Experience Design, User Research, User Experience, User Story, Prototyping, Wireframing, User Centered Design, Survey Creation, Sampling (Statistics), Design Research, Interaction Design, Ideation, A/B Testing, Conceptual Design, Web Analytics, Usability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Market Research and Competitive Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Competitive Analysis, Market Research, Competitive Intelligence, Persona Development, Market Analysis, Customer Analysis, Market Intelligence, Market Opportunities, Business Research, AI Product Strategy, Consumer Behaviour, Target Market, Customer Insights, Business Marketing, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Product Development, Product Strategy, Gap Analysis, Data Analysis, Innovation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
36 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Searches related to research

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research data management and sharing

research proposal: initiating research

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research design: inquiry and discovery

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular research courses

Introduction to Academic Research: University of California, Davis
Understanding Research Methods: University of London
Research Methodologies: Queen Mary University of London
Market Research: University of California, Davis
Operations Research (1): Models and Applications: National Taiwan University
Psychological Research: American Psychological Association
Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics: University of Cape Town
Market Research: Queen Mary University of London
Quantitative Research: University of California, Davis
Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts: Google

Frequently Asked Questions about Research

Browse the research courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.

Research courses on Coursera provide learners with essential skills for conducting rigorous and effective research, including:

Fundamental principles of scientific research, including hypothesis formation, experimental design, and data interpretation.
Qualitative research methods such as interviews, focus groups, and ethnography for gathering in-depth insights.
Quantitative research techniques including surveys, statistical analysis, and data visualization.
Skills for writing research proposals, conducting literature reviews, and publishing research findings.
Best practices for ethical research, including considerations for human subjects and data privacy.
Use of software tools and technologies for data collection, analysis, and presentation.
Application of research skills in various disciplines such as social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.‎

Coursera’s Research courses are suitable for learners of all backgrounds:

Beginners: No prior experience is needed. Introductory courses cover basic concepts and guide you through simple research projects.
Intermediate Learners: Those with some background in research can enhance their skills in specific methodologies or explore new research areas.
Advanced Professionals: Experienced researchers can find advanced courses that focus on complex research designs, statistical techniques, and publication strategies.‎

Skills gained from Research courses can lead to a variety of career opportunities across academia, industry, and government sectors, such as:

Research Scientist: Conducting studies and experiments to advance knowledge in specific scientific fields.
Data Analyst: Utilizing statistical tools to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights.
Market Research Analyst: Analyzing consumer behavior and market trends to inform business strategies.
Academic Researcher: Engaging in scholarly research that contributes to academic knowledge and teaching.
Policy Analyst: Researching and evaluating the impacts of public policies to guide government and non-profit decision making.‎

Yes. You can start learning research skills on Coursera for free in two ways:

Preview the first module of many research courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available).
Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in research, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.