Quantitative business analysis

Goal A: Students will be able to collect business data and summarize business data.

Learning Outcomes: The student will be able to:

A-1. Identify techniques for collecting data and possible uses of business data.

A-2. Identify required data formats for selected business situations.

A-3. Summarize data into required formats using graphs.

A-4. Calculate and interpret descriptive statistics, quartiles, and percentiles.

Goal B: Students will understand the concepts of probability and computing basic probabilities.

Learning Outcomes: The student will:

B-1. Apply joint probability, conditional probability, and probability based upon Bayes’ Theorem to solve business problems.

B-2. Distinguish the differences between discrete and continuous random variables.

B-3. State the uses and parameters of discrete and continuous distributions.

B-4. Calculate probabilities for discrete and continuous distributions.

B-5. Calculate sample size, p-value, and confidence interval for means and proportions.

Goal C: Student will utilize a variety of statistical techniques and become proficient in solving business problems.

Learning Outcomes: The student will be able to:

C-1. Perform a hypothesis test and interpret the test results.

C-2. Understand Type I error, Type II error and power.

C-3. Recognize the difference between a one-tailed or two-tailed test.

C-4. Develop simple and multiple linear regression equations from sample data and use them for prediction purposes.

C-5. Interpret the R-squared value and perform an F-test for a regression model.

Goal D: Students will demonstrate proficiency in the use of spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel) in deriving quantitative solutions to applied business analysis problems.

Learning Outcomes: The student will be able to:

D-1. Use Excel to compute mean, standard deviation, and variance.

D-2. Use Excel’s functions to find probabilities for discrete and continuous distributions.

D-3. Use Excel to find the critical values of t-test or F-test.

D-4. Use Excel’s regression tool in Data Analysis to generate a simple or multiple linear regression model.

D-5. Use Excel to conduct a test of independence and a chi-square goodness-of fit test.

Goal E: Students will develop an understanding of how to interpret the results of quantitative analysis of a business problem.

Learning Outcomes: The student will be able to:

E-1. Interpret the meanings of the coefficient of determination, the coefficients of independent variables, and all values in ANOVA in a linear regression model.

E-2. Provide appropriate recommendations to business problems based on the results of quantitative analysis.

E-3. Develop alternative solutions based on the statistical criteria to achieve the desired business outcomes.

Goal F: Students will exercise critical thinking strategies including problem solving, analysis, and evaluating possible alternatives in decision making.

Learning Outcomes: The student will be able to:

F-1. Make a logical decision based on the evidence.

F-2. Recognize why analytical thinking is important for business decision making.

F-3. Recognize and identify possible alternatives to solve a business problem.

SUPPLEMENTAL OBJECTIVES: None

METHODOLOGY:

1. Teaching Methods: This course will be presented in an asynchronous online learning format that does not include regularly scheduled class/lecture sessions. You will be expected to work independently in a structured directed study format following a prescribed schedule. Instructional materials will include instructor direction, guidance, and announcements via Blackboard and e-mail; assigned reading in the textbook; supplemental materials posted in Blackboard; textbook PowerPoint presentations; MyStatLab instructional videos, solved example problems, and practice problems; and online video tutorials.

2. This is a 3-credit graduate level course presented in an accelerated format (i.e., this course will cover the subject matter typically associated with a fifteen-week semester in seven weeks). You should expect to need to devote 15-20 hours per week (or possibly more depending upon how quickly you learn certain types of new information) to completing the requirements associated with this course. I do not recommend attempting to complete this course concurrent with another course.

3. Pre-requisites for this course include:

a. Three credits of undergraduate algebra, calculus, or statistics.

b. Functional computer skills.

c. Microsoft Excel proficiency.

NOTE: A variety of free tutorials are available online if you need practice for building or refreshing your mathematics, algebra, computer, or Excel skills.

4. While you are encouraged to participate in study groups with your classmates to explore the subject matter in preparation for completing the homework assignments, case studies, and exams, you will be expected to complete all homework assignments, case studies, and exams independently (i.e., the answers and work you submit for grading shall be expected to be your own original work).

5. You will be expected to complete all homework assignments online via the Pearson MyStatLab web site. Instructions for accessing the site are provided in the Pre-Week 1 section of Blackboard. Registering for access to the web site requires that you have a student license access code, which can be obtained by:

· Purchasing a new hard copy of the textbook from the Wilmington University bookstore;

· Purchasing a student license access code from the Wilmington University bookstore; or

· Purchasing a student license access code from Pearson at the time of registration.

You may register for two weeks of temporary access to MyStatLab while waiting to receive your student license access code. Failure to obtain your student license access code and/or register for MyStatLab access in a timely manner will not excuse you from responsibility for completing homework assignments by the prescribed deadlines.

NOTE: Access to the website included access to a complete e-book version of the textbook.

COURSE SCHEDULE AND CHECKLIST:

The assigned reading in the course textbook, weekly activities, and activity completion deadlines are outlined in the following table:

1. Each week for this online course begins at 12:00 AM EDT on Monday and ends at 11:59 PM EDT on Sunday.

2. Reading week is a period of time allotted in the Wilmington University academic calendar as an opportunity for students to prepare for their upcoming course(s). Reading week for the Summer I 2018 block is the week of May 7-13, 2018.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

1. Class Introductions Discussion Board: You will be expected to introduce yourself to the class by creating and posting a Webcam Video in the Class Introductions discussion board forum in Blackboard. Your posting will be expected to addresses all of the following matters:

· Your name

· How many courses have you previously completed in the MBA program?

· Describe your prior education and experience related to business statistics?

· What are your personal goals for this course?

· What are your biggest personal concerns regarding this course?

· What are the most important things you are prepared to do to mitigate your concerns and achieve your personal goals for this course?

· Any other information about yourself (e.g. hobbies or other interesting facts) that will help your classmates get to know you better.

You will also be expected to post a response to the introduction postings for a minimum of two (2) of your classmates that addresses each of the following matters:

· What you can do to help them mitigate their stated personal concern regarding this course.

· What you can do to help them achieve their stated personal goals for this course.

This assignment will be graded on a pass/fail basis; partial credit will not be granted for partial submissions.

2. Homework Problems: Each week you will be expected to complete assigned reading and MyStatLab homework problems for each assigned chapter in the textbook. Multiple chapters are assigned for the majority of weeks as outlined below in the Course Schedule and Checklist. You may refer to the course textbook, supplemental materials posted in Blackboard, MyStatLab materials, online tutorials, and/or your own notes in conjunction with completing the homework problems. Homework problems will be graded based upon whether or not you have correctly answered each question. MyStatLab has been configured to require your answers to be within ± 1% of the correct answer to receive credit for having answered the question correctly. Partial credit will be granted for homework problems and quiz problems with multiple sub-parts. You will be allowed two attempts for answering each homework assignment question. Additional information pertaining to the homework problems is provided in the Pre-Week 1 section of Blackboard.

3. Mid-Term Exam: You will be expected to complete a mid-term exam online via Blackboard during week four that will cover the subject matter associated with weeks one through four. The exam may be completed anytime during the 2 ½-day window during which it is available in Blackboard, however it must be completed in a single session with a maximum duration of three (3) hours. You will only be allowed one attempt for completing the exam. Blackboard will automatically terminate in-progress exams at the end of the 3-hour period or specified completion deadline, whichever occurs first. Please take this into consideration with respect to deciding when to start the exam to ensure you will have the full 3-hour period available to complete the exam. Terminated exams will be graded based upon whatever answers have been selected or entered prior to the termination. You may refer to the course textbook, supplemental materials posted in Blackboard, MyStatLab materials, online tutorials, and/or your own notes in conjunction with completing the exam. The exam will be graded based upon whether you have correctly answered each problem/question. Partial credit will not be granted for any exam problem/question. Additional information pertaining to the exam problems is provided in the Pre-Week 1 section of Blackboard.

4. Final Exam: You will be expected to complete a mid-term exam online via Blackboard during week seven that will cover the subject matter associated with weeks five through seven. The exam may be completed anytime during the 2 ½-day window during which it is available I Blackboard, however it must be completed in a single session with a maximum duration of three (3) hours. You will only be allowed one attempt for completing the exam. Blackboard will automatically terminate in-progress exams at the end of the 3-hour period or specified completion deadline, whichever occurs first. Please take this into consideration with respect to deciding when to start the exam to ensure you will have the full 3-hour period available to complete the exam. Terminated exams will be graded based upon whatever answers have been selected or entered prior to the termination. You may refer to the course textbook, supplemental materials posted in Blackboard, MyStatLab materials, online tutorials, and/or your own notes in conjunction with completing the exam. The exam will be graded based upon whether you have correctly answered each problem/question. Partial credit will not be granted for any exam problem/question. Additional information pertaining to the exam problems is provided in the Pre-Week 1 section of Blackboard.

5. Case Studies: You will be expected to complete two (2) case studies, one each during weeks five and six. You will be expected to use the Regression function that is part of the Analysis ToolPak add-in for Microsoft Excel to perform the necessary regressions for the case study data and answer the questions presented in each case study. You will be expected to submit a single Excel spreadsheet that contains a separate worksheet for each portion of each case study that clearly shows all calculations or other work you performed to derive your answer(s) for each problem/question. No credit will be granted for problems/questions that are not solved using Excel, for which your Excel worksheet is not fully functional, or for which you have not shown all calculations or other work performed to derive your answer(s). You will also be expected to submit a single Word file for each case study that presents your answer for each case study problem/question. Your Excel spreadsheet and Word file must be submitted via the submission links provided in the Week 5 and Week 6 folders in Blackboard. You may refer to the course textbook, supplemental materials posted in Blackboard, MyStatLab materials, online tutorials, and/or your own notes in conjunction with completing the case studies. You will only be allowed one attempt for completing each case study. The case studies will be graded using the following grading rubric.

6. Extra credit activities:

· Chapter 1 Homework Assignment (OPTIONAL): You will be expected to read Chapter 1 and complete the associated MyStatLab homework problems to receive extra credit.

· Chapter 2 Homework Assignment (OPTIONAL): You will be expected to read Chapter 2 and complete the associated MyStatLab homework problems to receive extra credit.

A 1.5% weighting factor will be applied to each extra credit assignment to determine your weighted extra credit points earned. You may refer to the course textbook, supplemental materials posted in Blackboard, MyStatLab materials, online tutorials, and/or your own notes in conjunction with completing the extra credit homework problems. Extra credit homework problems will be graded based upon whether or not you have correctly answered each question. MyStatLab has been configured to require your answers to be within ± 1% of the correct answer in order to receive credit for having answered the question correctly. Partial credit will be granted for extra credit homework problems with multiple sub-parts. You will be allowed two attempts for answering each homework assignment question. Additional information pertaining to homework problems is provided in the Pre-Week 1 section of Blackboard.

7. Final Grade Determination: Your overall weighted score will be calculated by applying the previously prescribed weighting factor for each category of course activities to the total raw points earned for each category. Weighted points earned for successfully completing extra credit assignments will be applied to your final overall weighted score. Your final grade will be based upon the University grading system for graduate courses, which is described in the Syllabus section of Blackboard.

INSTRUCTOR POLICIES:

As an addendum to the University’s policies:

· Academic Integrity: It is your responsibility to read, understand, and adhere to the University’s academic integrity policy described in the Syllabus section of Blackboard. You may assist each other by participating in study groups to review and discuss the course subject matter in preparation for completing the homework assignments, case studies, and exams. However, telling another student how to solve a given homework assignment, case study, or exam problem or question, or providing the answer to a given homework assignment, case study, or exam problem or question is expressly prohibited. The work you submit for each homework assignment, case study, and exam will be expected to be your own original work.

· Attendance Policy: It is your responsibility to read, understand, and adhere to the University’s attendance policy described in the Syllabus section of Blackboard. Attendance for a given week is not only indicated by regular Blackboard activity, but also by completion of at least one of the required assignments for the week (e.g., homework assignment, case study, or exam) in its entirety. Failure to complete at least one of the required assignments for a given week will result in your being marked as having been absent for the week. If you are absent for two or more weeks, you will be assigned a final grade of FA due to excessive absence.

· Late Completion or Submission of Work for Course Activities: You are responsible for contacting me no later than twelve (12) hours prior to the prescribed deadline in the event compelling extenuating circumstances beyond your reasonable control will prevent you from completing an assignment by the deadline. Absent my pre-approval of a deadline extension, late work will not be accepted or graded. In the absence of compelling extenuating circumstances beyond your reasonable control that prevented you from contacting me no later than twelve (12) hours prior to the prescribed deadline, requests for deadline extensions received less than twelve (12) hours prior to the prescribed deadline, or after the deadline has passed will not be entertained.

· Blackboard and Student E-Mail Accounts: You will be expected to check the Blackboard web site and your student e-mail account at least once every 24 hours throughout the duration of this course and be familiar with all emergent information posted therein.

· Student Questions: Questions regarding course-related matters should be posted on the Ask The Class discussion board forum in Blackboard so that all students will have equal opportunity to review them, as well as review the corresponding answers. With the exception of items posted on Saturday, Sunday, or a University holiday, expect replies in the form of a discussion board post or Blackboard announcement and e-mail within 24 hours. You are encouraged to respond to questions posted on the discussion board to assist your classmates; however, keep the preceding academic integrity policy in mind when doing so.

· Standards: I have an obligation to maintain consistent and equitable standards for all students. Do not expect or ask me to give you special consideration or hold you to a lesser standard based upon your particular circumstances.

· Syllabus Modifications: I reserve the right to modify the course requirements outlined in the syllabus as I may deem necessary.