Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit outline is subject to change up until two weeks prior to the first day of class. For this reason, students should not purchase textbooks or commence assessment based upon this document until two weeks prior to the semester start; or until you have confirmed the details with the unit coordinator.

The ability to collect, analyse, manipulate, understand and report data is an important skill in any work environment. This is particularly true in business where learning to deal with randomness, variation and uncertainty is a vital skill for anyone intending to apply their knowledge. This unit is designed to ensure that students gain the basic tools necessary to allow them to develop this skill. Students will also gain an introduction to many of the quantitative techniques which will be used throughout their further studies in their chosen discipline.

Aims

To introduce students to the fundamentals of data analysis and statistical methods. Students will learn about different types and sources of data, and techniques for displaying and analysing data. Students will also gain an introduction to the use of EXCEL as a primary tool for data manipulation and decision making.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)
1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)
4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding

Unit Objectives
On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Understand the difference between various types of business data and be able to report on each appropriately;
2. Use a range of statistical tools for solving business problems;
3. Describe and report results relating to observed business data;
4. Examine the relationship between different sets of data;
5. Use Microsoft Excel for manipulating and analysing business data; and
6. Draw conclusions about business problems whilst taking into account the possibility of sampling error.

During the course of this unit you will also develop:

Skills which allow problems from across a range of business applications to be solved;

An understanding of how to use and interpret data in an uncertain environment; and

Statistical literacy.

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

Major topics to be covered in this unit are:

Introduction to statistics - data, variables, populations, samples, parameters, statistics, sources of data, types of variables, levels of measurement and types of measurement scales

Introduction to Excel - workbooks, worksheets and formulas

Presenting data in tables and charts - tables and charts for categorical data, tables and charts for numerical data, cross-tabulations, scatter diagrams and time series plots, tables and charts using Excel

Report writing

Numerical descriptive measures - measures of central tendency, variation and shape, five-number summary and box-and-whisker plots, covariance and coefficient of correlation, descriptive measures using Excel

Simple linear regression - types of regression models, determining the simple linear regression equation, interpretation of the coefficients, simple linear regression using Excel

Introduction to probability - events and sample spaces, contingency tables and Venn diagrams, marginal probability, joint probability, addition rule, conditional probability, statistical independence, multiplication rule

Discrete probability distributions - discrete random variables, discrete probability distributions, expected value, variance, binomial distribution

Continuous probability distributions - continuous random variables, continuous probability distributions, normal distribution

Introduction to statistical inference - sampling distributions, sampling distribution of the mean, standard error of the mean, the Central Limit Theorem, sampling distribution of the proportion

Estimation - confidence interval estimation for the mean, confidence interval estimation for the proportion, determination of sample size

Hypothesis testing (one-sample tests) - methodology, hypothesis testing for the mean, hypothesis testing for the proportion

Hypothesis testing (two-sample tests) - comparing the means of two independent populations, comparing the means of two related populations, comparing two population proportions

Chi squared testing - test of independence, goodness-of-fit tests, test for a variance or standard deviation

Analysis of variance - basic concepts of experimental design, one-way analysis of variance, the randomised block design

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit has a formal class contact time in lectures and workshops of approximately three hours (lecture two hours, workshop one hour). Furthermore, a student should expect to devote, on average, nine further hours per week on self-study and assignments. The nine non-formal hours should be seen as a guide only, and not to be regarded as a restriction on the hours devoted to the unit. Students are expected to be active participants in the learning process and are encouraged to participate in class.

Resources, such as copies of slides for each lecture topic, weekly reading and workshop questions, are provided on the unit's Blackboard site at < http://blackboard.qut.edu.au >. Students will need their student number and password.

Feedback Procedures
With respect to the research report, items, feedback will be provided using the CRA format. Quiz results will also provide feedback on progress toward learning.

Assessment

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives for both discipline knowledge and other graduate capabilities. Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:

Receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and

Demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation

Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary

Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation

Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment name: Online quiz
Description: The online quiz is designed to provide students with an immediate opportunity to apply their understanding of concepts to problem-solving tasks and to assess their progress with the subject to date. The online quiz will be in a multiple-choice format based on lectures 1 to 6 and run on a weekly basis from weeks 3 to 8. The online quiz will be made available through the BSB123 Blackboard page. The best 5 of the 6 weekly quizzes will be used to determine the grade..
Length/Duration: 6 weekly quizzes, one per week.
Formative or Summative: Formative and summative.
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1) and CTA (2.1).
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 3-8

Assessment name: Research Report
Description: The research report is designed to assess students' ability to critically analyse data and present findings to address business issues in a report format. The research report will provide students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the relevant statistical concepts and techniques by applying them to real world data.
Length/Duration: 1,000 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: End of Semester Examination
Description: The final exam consists of short-answer and calculation based questions that cover lectures 1 to 12 inclusive.
Length/Duration: 2 hours plus 10 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1)
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Textbook
Black et al. (2012) Australasian business statistics, 3rd edition, Wiley.

References
Berenson et al. (2009) Basic Business Statistics: Concepts and Applications 2e, Pearson.

Selvanathan, A., Selvanathan, S., Keller, G., and Warrack, B. (2012) Australian Business Statistics 5th edition. South Melbourne: Thomson

Other Resources
Additional references and resources, including lecture overheads, additional notes, weekly reading and workshop questions, assignments and solutions can also be found at the unit's Blackboard site: < https://blackboard.qut.edu.au >

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 22-Jan-2013