EXCEL

Project: Conduct Quantitative Analysis

Your final assignment will be the creation of a comprehensive Excel workbook with supporting charts and graphs and a short analysis of the data.

This project will enable you to refresh and refine your skills in math and statistics before you tackle a real-world data set using Excel to analyze and display the data.

Quantitative reasoning uses a process similar to the qualitative research process in that you will first identify an issue or problem and then use mathematical formulas or an analytic tool to derive a solution. You will construct graphs, charts, and tables to display data and inform analysis and interpretation. You will evaluate the results of the information, draw analyses and validate them by applying them to the issue or problem.

This project will enable you to see the connection between data and how the use of quantitative analysis of that data informs solutions to practical problems with potential impact on your organization or industry.

There are 10 steps that lead you through this project.

Competencies

Your work will be evaluated using the competencies listed below.

· 1.1: Organize document or presentation clearly in a manner that promotes understanding and meets the requirements of the assignment.

· 1.2: Develop coherent paragraphs or points so that each is internally unified and so that each functions as part of the whole document or presentation.

· 1.4: Tailor communications to the audience.

· 1.5: Use sentence structure appropriate to the task, message and audience.

· 1.6: Follow conventions of Standard Written English.

· 3.1: Identify numerical or mathematical information that is relevant in a problem or situation.

· 3.2: Employ mathematical or statistical operations and data analysis techniques to arrive at a correct or optimal solution.

· 3.3: Analyze mathematical or statistical information, or the results of quantitative inquiry and manipulation of data.

· 3.4: Employ software applications and analytic tools to analyze, visualize, and present data to inform decision-making.

Step 1: Refresh Your Math, Statistics and Excel Skills

Everyone will begin this project with different background skills in math, statistics and Excel. Let’s start by thinking about what it means to engage in quantitative processes and the role these skills play in this project.

Next, assess your current baseline by refreshing your skills in math, statistics, and Excel. You will choose how much you already know and where you need to concentrate more attention in order to complete this quantitative analysis project.

After this refresher, you will create your own spreadsheet based on the template provided in the next step.

Step 2: Set Up Your Spreadsheet

Now that you’ve assessed and refreshed these important skills, you’re ready to begin. First download the Excel template (see attachment) course file and use it to set up your spreadsheet. This step has you set up your basic view in preparation for the use of several tools.

Step 3: Add Data

With your spreadsheet set up and saved with your last name, you’re ready to  add data (see attachment). In Section 1 on the Data page (See excel template in attachment), complete each column of the spreadsheet to arrive at the desired calculations.

When you’re ready, move on to the next step, where you will use functions to summarize the data.

Step 4: Use Functions to Summarize the Data

With your data built, you are now ready to start using some tools to  summarize the data , using Countif and the Sum function to do the math. In this step, you'll begin to see patterns in the data and the story of the workforce.

Take a breather here if you need it. You should strive to work through the first four steps this week. Check in with your instructor.

With this step complete, you’re ready to begin your analysis.

Step 5: Analyze the Workforce

You’ve summarized the data. Next, you will employ descriptive or summary statistics to analyze the workforce. Your summary tables described "how many." Now you will calculate mean, median, and mode for the categories of data, and derive the deviation, variance, and dispersion, and distribution. This is where it gets interesting!

You will be working in section 3 of the Data tab in the spreadsheet to complete the descriptive statistics for the five categories (Salary, Hourly Rate, Years of Service, Education, and Age). Using Excel formulas, complete the table.

After you have used Excel formulas to find this information, you will next use the Toolpak to find your summary statistics.

Step 6: Use the Analysis Toolpak

Your data set is now built. Now, you will use the same functions to perform the Descriptive Analysis Using the Analysis Toolpak. This is a handy feature to know. Remember that there may be some minor differences in the answers depending on the version.

You should now have Tab 2 complete: Excel Summary Stats. Next, you'll create charts and a histogram for Tabs 3 and 4.

Step 7: Create Charts and a Histogram

Where would we be without the ability to view data in charts? It is sometimes easier to grasp context of data if we can see it captured in an image. In this step, you will work with data to create charts, adding a tab for charts, and another for a histogram.

In this step, you will build Tab 3: Graphs—Charts and Tab 4: Histogram. After you complete these tabs, you’ll be ready to sort the data.

Step 8: Copy and Sort the Data

You’ve accomplished a lot with your data set, summary stats, charts, and histograms. Another skill you’ll need to be able to do is sort data in an Excel worksheet for reporting purposes. You’ll copy and sort the data. This is a good skill that applies to any Excel application.

In this step, you will create Tab 5: Sorted Data. When you’re finished, you’ll be ready to conduct your quantitative analysis.

See below for example of sorted spreadsheet.

Step 9: Conduct Quantitative Analysis

In this step, your hard work bears fruit. What does it all mean? Think back to your boss's reasons for tasking you with this project. Bring your powers of analysis to bear to determine what the data may be telling you. Apply your quantitative reasoning skills by answering the questions provided in the resource and writing a short essay.

After you answer the questions, your short essay should include:

· a one-paragraph narrative summary of your findings, describing patterns of interest

· an explanation of the potential relevance of such patterns

· a description of how you would investigate further to determine if your results could be perceived as good or bad for the company.

You will prepare your responses in your workbook on the tab named QR Analysis. Type in your answers to the questions as well as the final essay in the textbox, and move the QR tab to the first tab position ( to the left of the Data tab) when you have finished.

Good luck!!

Good job! In the next step, you’ll submit your workbook and analysis.

Step 10: Submit Your Completed Workbook and Analysis

You’re now ready to submit your workbook and analysis. Review the requirements for the final deliverable to be sure you have:

1. Excel Workbook with Six Tabs

· Tab 1: Data—completed data sheet (Steps 1–6 above)

· Tab 2: Excel Summary Stats (Step 6)

· Tab 3: Graphs—Charts (Step 7)

· Tab 4: Histogram (Step 7)

· Tab 5: Sorted Data (Step 8) Quantitative Analysis (Step 9; see detail below and move to first position upon completion.)

2. Answers to Questions and Short Essay

Prepare your response in this workbook. Create a tab for Quantitative Analysis, create a text box, and paste your answers to the questions and your essay in it. Move the Quantitative Analysis tab to the first tab position.

Make sure the following tabs are included in your final workbook:

· Quantitative Analysis

· Data

· Excel Summary Stats

· Graphs–Charts

· Histogram

· Sorted Data

3. Format to Be Printed

Format this workbook so that all the spreadsheets can be printed.

Project 4 ~ IMPORTANT INFORMATION	Nov 4, 2020 2:06 PM	-
Hello Class, Here is a quick checklist to consider as you work on workbooks for submission.  Here is what I will be looking for in your Excel project, and the tabs I will expect to see in this order: QR - This will include your answers to the 5 questions, with your short narrative answers.  You will also write a brief essay (2-3 paras) about what it all says for the position of this company in terms of manpower, job roles, diversity and demographics, and the outlook from your analysis of the data.   Data - You will have filled in all blank fields in Section I (Step 3), Section II (Step 4), and Section III (Step 5).  Summary Statistics - You will download the Toolpak in Step 6 and run the same 5 columns of data you used in Step 5 to create a new view of summary statistics for this new sheet (or tab).  There will be some minor differences in your original numbers using Excel formulas that you can attribute to decimal places and rounding. This step is to acquaint you with this tool that saves you time; however, you already did the computations using formulas, so you have learned the concepts.  Charts - On this tab, you will follow instructions in Step 7 to create 3 pie charts, 2 bar charts, and a line chart.  Please display the data on the charts. In this step, you will use the Toolpak again to create a histogram, designating that the chart will use the salary "buckets" in Section III and the output will create a new sheet (see next tab).  Histogram - You have created this as part of Step 7. You will need to size the chart and add labels.  You might review the tips by Rohan in the video I shared with you last week; or, you can check out the tips in the tutoring classroom if you don't want to ask me.  Sorted Data - On this tab, you will copy your data sheet and use the pivot tools to sort the data to create subtotals for salaries by region.  This is a pretty useful step for other applications using Excel.

Rubric Name: Management Analysis

Competencies	Exceeds Performance Requirements
1.1: Organize document or presentation clearly in a manner that promotes understanding and meets the requirements of the assignment.	Key Criteria: Material is presented with meticulous attention to logical order, supporting a clearly articulated thesis. Ideas are arranged so that they make consistent, coherent progress from introduction to conclusion; transitions support smooth connections from point to point. Paper addresses all requirements of the assignment, to include error-free APA formatting and compliance with instructions.
1.2: Develop coherent paragraphs or points so that each is internally unified and so that each functions as part of the whole document or presentation.	Key Criteria: Paper achieves internal coherence through consistent and skillful construction of paragraphs with meaningful topic sentences, supported by well-developed sentences of sufficient depth. The arrangement of paragraphs enables ideas to flow seamlessly from one point to the next.
1.4: Tailor communications to the audience.	Key Criteria: Paper demonstrates cognizance of audience, skillfully using precise and appropriate language and terms to convey the intended meaning and tone of the paper to readers.
1.5: Use sentence structure appropriate to the task, message and audience.	Key Criteria: Paper expresses ideas clearly and concisely. Sentence structure is varied throughout the paper to ensure smooth flow and engaging narrative. Paper is free of major sentence-level errors such as awkward syntax, run-on sentences, fragments, and comma splices.
1.6: Follow conventions of Standard Written English.	Key Criteria: Paper is free of errors in standard usage rules of grammar, word choice, spelling, and punctuation. Paper demonstrates correct tense constructions, noun/pronoun congruence, and accepted use of acronyms.
3.1: Identify numerical or mathematical information that is relevant in a problem or situation.	Key Criteria: The solution appropriately includes all of the numerical, mathematical, and/or contextual information required for use in solving the problem or situation. It establishes a strong foundation for successful calculations and analyses.
3.2: Employ mathematical or statistical operations and data analysis techniques to arrive at a correct or optimal solution.	Key Criteria: The solution uses the appropriate mathematical and/or statistical methods to perform calculations and analyses. The calculations performed for problems and/or quantitative statistical analyses are error-free, leading to a correct solution.
3.3: Analyze mathematical or statistical information, or the results of quantitative inquiry and manipulation of data.	Key Criteria: Analyses draw accurate, logical inferences and conclusions. Communication of interpretations employs accurate and applicable representations, including mathematical and/or statistical vocabulary, models, equations, graphs, diagrams, and/or tables, as appropriate for the problem or situation. The result is a well-supported, correct analysis and interpretation.
3.4: Employ software applications and analytic tools to analyze, visualize, and present data to inform decision-making.	Key Criteria: Prepared data is clean and error-free. Incorrect values, excluded criteria, duplicate cases, missing data, and other outliers were corrected or eliminated. All appropriate variables for analysis are included. Appropriate formulas and search criteria are employed. The consequential output is error-free and accurate. Subsequent analyses and representations are correct and can be relied upon for decision making. All assignment instructions have been followed.