Python for Statistical Analysis Training Course

Duration 10 days 18 modules · 65 contact hours
Level Intermediate Certificate on completion
Who attends Data Analysts, Business Intelligence Analysts and others
Fee from USD 2,200 KSh 190,000 for Kenyan organisations
Where 52 cities + online See dates by city
Next start 16 Nov 2026 Course code SD-DA-116

Before you join: Participants should be comfortable working with tabular data and interpreting percentages, averages, charts and basic spreadsheet formulas.

Dates & prices

Two start dates a month in every city, and live online on weekdays or weekends. Fees are per participant; classroom fees include tuition, materials, lunch and refreshments, and the certificate.

Suggest a date or city

Showing the next six months. Later dates, other cities and private deliveries for your team are available on request.

Course overview

Organisations collect transaction records, survey responses, service data, operational measures and programme results, yet many decisions still rely on descriptive dashboards or untested assumptions. Python provides a practical environment for preparing data, testing hypotheses, estimating relationships and communicating uncertainty. This course equips participants to turn raw business, public-sector and research data into statistically defensible evidence for decisions such as reducing customer attrition, measuring programme outcomes, improving service levels or forecasting demand.

Participants work with Python, pandas, NumPy, SciPy, statsmodels, Matplotlib and seaborn to create reproducible statistical analyses. The course covers data preparation, exploratory analysis, visualisation, probability, sampling, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, ANOVA, non-parametric tests, linear regression, logistic regression, time-series analysis and experimental analysis. Participants learn to select methods based on variable types, research questions, assumptions and operational consequences rather than selecting tests mechanically.

Instruction combines concise technical briefings with guided case work, group interpretation sessions and individual coding tasks. Cases use realistic datasets such as customer transactions, service performance records, employee surveys, public-health indicators and programme-monitoring data. Participants progressively build a documented Python analysis from the first week, then deepen it through modelling, validation and reporting. They leave with a reusable statistical analysis project structure, tested code patterns, reporting templates and a completed capstone analysis presented to peers.

The course is suited to analysts and professionals who already use spreadsheets, SQL or basic Python and need stronger statistical judgement alongside practical coding capability. It is delivered over 10 instructor-led days in a classroom in more than 50 cities or live online. Each training day runs from 08:30 to 16:30, providing approximately 6.5 contact hours, and participants receive a certificate of completion.

What you will be able to do

  • Build reproducible Python workflows for importing, cleaning and documenting analytical datasets
  • Conduct exploratory data analysis using descriptive statistics, visualisations and grouped summaries
  • Select probability distributions, sampling methods and confidence intervals for defined business questions
  • Perform hypothesis tests, ANOVA and non-parametric tests with correct assumptions and effect sizes
  • Fit and interpret linear, logistic and count regression models using statsmodels
  • Validate statistical models through diagnostics, residual analysis and out-of-sample testing
  • Communicate statistical findings with accurate charts, uncertainty statements and decision recommendations
  • Produce a complete documented Python statistical analysis for a workplace decision

Benefits of attending

For you

  • Produce statistical analyses that can be reviewed, rerun and defended
  • Choose tests and models using assumptions rather than software defaults
  • Interpret regression outputs, confidence intervals and effect sizes accurately
  • Replace repetitive spreadsheet analysis with reusable Python code
  • Present evidence-based recommendations with stated uncertainty and limitations

For your organisation

  • Improve consistency and auditability of analytical reports and decision papers
  • Reduce manual data preparation through repeatable Python analysis pipelines
  • Strengthen evaluation of policies, programmes, products and operational changes
  • Identify meaningful drivers of performance rather than relying on simple correlations
  • Create clearer evidence for investment, service and risk-management decisions

Course modules

18 modules over 10 days

Participants can configure a Python project structure that supports reproducible statistical analysis.

  • Anaconda environments, Jupyter notebooks, and reproducible project folder conventions
  • Python scripts, notebook cells, kernels, and package version recording
  • PEP 8 naming conventions for variables, functions, imports, and comments
  • Data types, operators, Boolean logic, and conditional expressions for analysis
  • Control flow using loops, comprehensions, and reusable function definitions
  • Git commits and requirements files for traceable analytical work

Participants can organise analytical data using core Python and pandas data structures.

  • Lists, tuples, dictionaries, and sets selected for analytical tasks
  • NumPy arrays created for efficient numerical calculation and indexing
  • pandas Series and DataFrames structured for tabular statistical analysis
  • Vectorised operations replace slow row-by-row processing patterns
  • Boolean masks filter observations using explicit analytical conditions
  • Functions accept parameters, return results, and support reusable workflows

Participants can import, profile and reshape source data for statistical analysis.

  • CSV, Excel, JSON, and SQL extracts imported with pandas
  • Encoding, delimiters, headers, and date parsing diagnosed before analysis
  • Wide and long data reshaped using melt, pivot, and stack
  • Column types standardised with categorical, datetime, integer, and string dtypes
  • Data dictionaries documented with source, field definition, unit, and owner
  • Raw data retained separately from processed analytical datasets

Participants can identify data quality problems and apply documented cleaning rules.

  • Missingness patterns profiled using counts, proportions, and visual matrices
  • Duplicate records identified through keys, composite fields, and business rules
  • Outliers screened with IQR fences, z-scores, and domain thresholds
  • Invalid categories reconciled through mapping tables and controlled vocabularies
  • Cleaning decisions recorded in an auditable data quality log
  • Assertions and validation checks embedded in repeatable pandas pipelines

Participants can describe distributions, groups and relationships before formal modelling.

  • Distribution shape assessed with histograms, density plots, and quantile summaries
  • Central tendency and dispersion calculated using mean, median, variance, and IQR
  • Grouped summaries produced with pandas groupby, aggregation, and crosstabs
  • Relationships inspected through scatterplots, correlation matrices, and stratification
  • Business questions translated into measurable variables, populations, and time windows
  • Analytical findings recorded with assumptions, exclusions, and source caveats

Participants can create accurate charts that communicate statistical evidence clearly.

  • Matplotlib and seaborn charts selected according to variable type and audience
  • Bar, line, box, violin, and scatter charts constructed correctly
  • Axes, scales, labels, uncertainty bands, and annotations checked for accuracy
  • Colour palettes designed for contrast, accessibility, and categorical distinction
  • Small multiples and faceting used to compare groups without distortion
  • Publication-ready figures exported with reproducible code and consistent formatting

Participants can apply probability concepts and simulations to quantify analytical uncertainty.

  • Sample spaces, events, conditional probability, and Bayes' theorem applied correctly
  • Random variables distinguished as discrete, continuous, or mixed measurements
  • Expected value, variance, covariance, and correlation interpreted from business data
  • Binomial, Poisson, normal, and lognormal distributions matched to processes
  • Sampling distributions demonstrated through simulation and repeated resampling
  • Monte Carlo methods used to quantify uncertainty in operational scenarios

Participants can design sampling approaches and estimate population values with stated precision.

  • Target populations, sampling frames, units, and eligibility criteria specified precisely
  • Simple random, stratified, cluster, and systematic sampling compared
  • Selection bias, nonresponse bias, coverage error, and measurement error diagnosed
  • Sample size estimated from precision, confidence level, variability, and constraints
  • Bootstrap confidence intervals generated for medians, proportions, and percentiles
  • Survey weights and representativeness limitations documented in reporting

Participants can test operational hypotheses and interpret statistical and practical significance.

  • Null and alternative hypotheses framed from operational decision questions
  • Type I, Type II, power, and effect size interpreted
  • Confidence intervals calculated and reported alongside point estimates
  • One-sample and two-sample t-tests selected from data structures
  • Paired tests applied when observations share matched subjects or periods
  • Practical significance separated from statistical significance in recommendations

Participants can select and interpret tests for categorical, ordinal and non-normal data.

  • Chi-square goodness-of-fit and independence tests applied to count data
  • Fisher's exact test selected for sparse contingency tables
  • Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests used for ordinal or nonnormal outcomes
  • Kruskal-Wallis testing followed by appropriate adjusted pairwise group comparisons
  • Assumption checks guide parametric versus nonparametric test selection
  • Effect sizes reported using odds ratios, rank measures, and Cramér's V

Participants can compare multiple groups using ANOVA and appropriate post-hoc methods.

  • One-way ANOVA compares mean outcomes across independent groups
  • Two-way ANOVA tests main effects and interaction effects
  • Residual normality, variance homogeneity, and independence assumptions examined
  • Levene's test and residual plots support assumption assessment
  • Tukey HSD identifies group differences after significant omnibus tests
  • Eta-squared and partial eta-squared quantify explained outcome variance

Participants can build and interpret linear regression models for continuous outcomes.

  • Simple linear regression models continuous outcomes from one predictor
  • Multiple regression estimates adjusted relationships among several predictors
  • Coefficients, intercepts, confidence intervals, and p-values interpreted responsibly
  • Categorical predictors encoded using reference categories and indicator variables
  • Interaction terms model conditional relationships between explanatory variables
  • R-squared, adjusted R-squared, and residual standard error reported

Participants can diagnose regression weaknesses and validate model performance.

  • Residual plots reveal nonlinearity, unequal variance, and influential observations
  • Variance inflation factors identify problematic multicollinearity among predictors
  • Cook's distance and hat values flag influential cases for review
  • Transformations and polynomial terms address specified nonlinear functional forms
  • Heteroscedasticity-consistent robust standard errors support valid coefficient inference
  • Cross-validation estimates out-of-sample error for competing regression specifications

Participants can model binary events and count outcomes using generalised linear models.

  • Logistic regression estimates event probabilities from categorical and numeric predictors
  • Odds ratios, marginal effects, and predicted probabilities communicated clearly
  • Classification thresholds selected using costs, prevalence, and operational capacity
  • ROC curves and AUC assess discrimination across threshold choices
  • Poisson regression models counts with exposure offsets and rate interpretation
  • Overdispersion checked before choosing Poisson, quasi-Poisson, or negative binomial models

Participants can prepare time-series data, fit ARIMA models and assess forecast accuracy.

  • Datetime indexes, resampling, lags, and rolling windows prepared in pandas
  • Trend, seasonality, cyclicality, and irregular variation separated conceptually
  • Autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation plots guide model identification
  • Stationarity assessed using plots, differencing, and augmented Dickey-Fuller tests
  • ARIMA models fitted with documented orders and residual diagnostics
  • Forecast accuracy compared using MAE, RMSE, and MAPE

Participants can analyse controlled experiments and make evidence-based rollout recommendations.

  • Randomised controlled trial designs distinguish treatment effects from confounding
  • Primary metrics, guardrail metrics, and stopping rules defined before analysis
  • Randomisation balance checked across baseline customer or participant characteristics
  • Conversion-rate tests calculated with confidence intervals and risk differences
  • Multiple comparisons controlled using Bonferroni adjustment and false discovery rates
  • Experiment results translated into rollout, holdout, or further-testing decisions

Participants can prepare reviewable statistical reports with documented methods and limitations.

  • Parameterized notebooks separate inputs, transformations, outputs, and narrative findings
  • Reusable functions reduce repeated code across recurring statistical reports
  • pytest tests verify calculation logic, boundary cases, and expected outputs
  • Versioned data, code, and environments support reproducibility and audit review
  • Executive summaries state methods, uncertainty, limitations, and recommended actions
  • Statistical reports distinguish association, prediction, and causal claims

Participants can build, review and present a complete reproducible statistical analysis addressing a defined workplace decision.

  • Problem statement defines decision, stakeholders, success metric, and analytical scope
  • Raw dataset imported, cleaned, documented, and transformed through reproducible code
  • Exploratory analysis identifies distributions, data quality issues, and candidate relationships
  • Appropriate inferential or predictive model justified through assumptions and diagnostics
  • Results visualised with uncertainty, effect sizes, and decision-relevant comparisons
  • Peer review tests code, interpretations, limitations, and recommendation traceability
  • Final briefing presents methods, findings, and implementation actions to stakeholders

Exercises and examples are adapted to each cohort's sectors and roles.

What you take back to work

  1. Reproducible Python analysis project template
  2. Data quality assessment checklist
  3. Statistical test selection guide
  4. Regression diagnostics report template
  5. Time-series forecasting model notebook
  6. Documented capstone analysis and executive briefing

Who should attend

  • Data Analysts — need Python-based methods for defensible statistical reporting
  • Business Intelligence Analysts — need to move from dashboards to tested analytical conclusions
  • Financial Analysts — need to model drivers, risk indicators and forecast errors
  • Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists — need to assess programme outcomes with sound statistical methods
  • Operations Analysts — need to quantify process variation and service-performance relationships
  • Researchers and Policy Analysts — need reproducible analysis for surveys, administrative data and studies

Skills and tools covered

Python data preparationStatistical hypothesis testingRegression modellingTime-series forecastingExperimental analysisReproducible reporting

Tools and standards

pandas, NumPy, SciPy, statsmodels

How the course runs

Training methodology

The course uses short instructor briefings followed by guided coding, case analysis, group interpretation and structured review. Participants work with realistic datasets to prepare data, choose statistical methods, inspect assumptions and explain results to non-specialists. Simulations illustrate sampling variation, uncertainty and experimental design. Trainers provide code demonstrations and feedback on analytical choices, while participants develop an application plan for a current workplace question. The final capstone combines data preparation, modelling, visualisation, review and presentation.

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should be comfortable working with tabular data and interpreting percentages, averages, charts and basic spreadsheet formulas. Prior exposure to Python is useful: participants should understand variables, lists, dictionaries, loops, functions and importing packages, or have completed an introductory Python course. Experience with SQL, Excel, R or another analytical tool is helpful. The course assumes no prior formal statistics qualification and does not require advanced calculus, machine learning experience, database administration or software engineering expertise.

A typical training day

08:30 – 10:30First session
10:30 – 10:45Refreshment break
10:45 – 12:30Second session
12:30 – 13:30Lunch and networking
13:30 – 15:00Third session
15:00 – 15:15Refreshment break
15:15 – 16:30Workshop and daily review

Live online deliveries follow the same structure in East Africa Time, with shorter screen blocks and longer breaks.

What the fee includes

  • Instruction by a practitioner facilitator
  • Full course workbook and materials
  • Exercise files, templates and case studies
  • Refreshments and lunch on classroom deliveries
  • Certificate of completion
  • Post-course application plan

Frequently asked questions

You should be comfortable with basic Python concepts such as variables, lists, loops, functions and importing packages. You should also understand common business measures such as averages, percentages and charts; formal statistics training is not required.

Bring a laptop capable of running Anaconda or a comparable Python environment, subject to your organisation's technology policies. You may also bring a non-sensitive workplace dataset or analytical question for application planning.

It is designed for analysts, researchers, monitoring and evaluation specialists, financial analysts and operational professionals who need to conduct statistical analysis in Python. It is most useful for people moving beyond descriptive reporting and spreadsheet-based analysis.

This course focuses on statistical reasoning, inference, model assumptions, uncertainty and interpretable results. Python is taught as the working environment for analysis rather than as a general software development subject, and machine learning is not the main focus.

Participants can use the methods for customer analysis, service performance studies, survey analysis, programme evaluation, forecasting and controlled experiments. The project structure, code patterns and reporting templates are intended for reuse in recurring analytical work.

The first week establishes reproducible Python workflows, data preparation, visualisation and core statistical inference. The second week covers regression, diagnostics, forecasting, experiments, reporting and a capstone analysis; each day runs from 08:30 to 16:30 with approximately 6.5 contact hours.

Questions about this course?

Ask about dates, fees, group bookings or running it for your team. Our training team replies by email.