Units

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Sample subject outline - 6 Week Teaching Period - 5 2013

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

Rationale

Business Leaders and managers work in complex business environments, in the era of Big Data, where mind-boggling volumes data and information is generated daily on just about every aspect of the business and the economy. Managers are not only required to make sense of the data available to them but, to make complex business decisions often in short timeframes and with only partial information. It has been shown that in this complex work environment, that more informed, effective and reliable decisions are made when data analysis techniques have been correctly applied to problems.

As such, data analysis and decision making skills are essential for the effective leadership of organisations as without these skills decision making could become entirely a function of individual instincts, whims and biases. Data analysis techniques can be used to detect and describe problems, explain relationships, trends, forecast and monitor performance.

Data Analysis and Decision Making has been included in the program to provide students with the opportunity to learn how to make effective business decisions based on the application of data analysis techniques to real world business problems. The unit is positioned in the early phases of the program after students have acquired some foundational discipline specific skills and knowledge. The positioning of the unit at this point in the program enables students to be able to integrate and draw upon their disciplinary knowledge in analysing data and making decisions.

Aims

The mission of the MBA and associated programs is to provide world class, graduate business education and stimulating real world learning opportunities to develop current and future business leaders and managers to confidently lead in complex environments.

The aim of this particular unit is to develop the students' abilities to make effective business decisions in response to real world business challenges, based on an understanding, evaluation and interpretation data using a number of standard data analysis techniques.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Postgraduate)

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.

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Well-researched knowledge and critical understanding applied to issues at the forefront of a specialised discipline area
1.2 Ability to select and use effectively a range of tools and technologies to locate and/or generate information appropriate to the disciplinary context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Apply logical, critical and creative thinking and judgement to generate appropriate solutions to problems in the disciplinary context

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Ability to create and present professional documents and/or reports using high levels of analysis/synthesis/evaluation for a range of contexts and audiences
3.2 Ability to orally communicate and justify ideas and information, at a professional level, for a variety of contexts and audiences, including peers and discipline specialists

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Operate effectively and with flexibility to achieve common goals in collaborative settings, using a range of skills, including leadership, negotiation, reflection, proactivity and support for team members

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply knowledge of the ethical, social and cultural dimensions relevant to business situations, including appropriate standards or codes of practice, to provide courses of action

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

Unit Objectives:

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Organise and describe data meaningfully to aid decision-making. KS1.1 (MBA 1), KS1.2 (MBA 1)

2. Draw inferences on the basis of available data while being cognizant of the degree of uncertainty associated with such decisions. KS1.1 (MBA 1), CTA2.1 (MBA 4)

3. Create models to determine relationships between variables encountered in business situations to improve performance and make superior forecasts. KS1.1 (MBA 1, 7), CTA2.1 (MBA 4)

4. Evaluate the limitations of analysis and the potential pitfalls in interpretation of results. KS 1.1 (MBA 1), CTA 2.1 (MBA 4)

5. Make decisions and recommendations based on analysis of data and to communicate these findings to stakeholders in a professional manner. KS1.1 (MBA 1), PC3.1 (MBA 3)

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

Content

• Data Description and Exploration


• Probability and Decision Making under Uncertainty


• Statistical Inference

- Sampling and Estimation
- Hypothesis Testing

• Modelling Relationships using Regression Analysis


• Time Series Analysis and Forecasting


• Application of Data Analysis techniques to real world challenges

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit adopts a blended learning approach and as such, includes a variety of teaching and learning approaches.

Three hour face-to-face class sessions are supplemented by readings and a range of online materials that are designed to support and extend learning prior to, during and after class sessions. Online materials are available in the unit Blackboard site. Given the importance of the unit Blackboard site to the teaching and learning strategy used in this unit, a computer and a tablet device with internet access is strongly recommended for all students.

The principal purpose of the lectures and readings is to build upon the key concepts that were introduced through the Preparation for Class activities and readings. The purpose of the case study work, experiential learning tasks and all assessment tasks is to help the student develop their understanding of the concepts and enable them to be applied within a range of business contexts.

There is an expectation that the student will participate in class sessions, to take advantage of the opportunity to discuss important issues with their instructor and their peers in an informal environment. These sessions also provide students with an opportunity to hone important generic skills that are in high demand in the business.

It is expected that students have completed all Preparation for Class activities and readings identified in the unit Blackboard site prior to coming to class to be able to maximise the learning opportunities of the class sessions.

A variety of learning activities designed to engage students in their learning will be incorporated into the lectures/workshops. Such learning activities may include short lectures, class discussions, debates, role plays, group work, guest speakers, student presentations, simulations, case study analysis, videos, readings, wikis, media/current events reports, web searches, etc.

There is a commitment to critical inquiry and intellectual debate in regard to the material covered. Students are encouraged to relate the theories and research discussed to situations known to them and will be encouraged to share their experiences relating to the topics explored in this unit with the class to enrich the overall learning experience of all students.

Expanding the awareness of Australian management policies and practices into intercultural and international perspectives is fostered within this unit. Typically, students enrolling in this unit have extremely varied backgrounds. There is diversity of professional background and socio-cultural background. Students are reminded that this is to their advantage and they have much to learn from one another. To this end, students are strongly encouraged to be sensitive to cultural, gender-related and international issues.

Assessment

A further Guide to the Assessment Items is available from the unit Blackboard Site: http://blackboard.qut.edu.au

At the end of the teaching period the Faculty Academic Board determines students' grades. The Unit Coordinators provide the detailed assessment results to the Board, working through the relevant School. These results are advisory in nature and do not necessarily constitute the final grades awarded by the Board. In its decision the Board compares results both within units and programs, using as a guide a set of standard distribution criteria. These criteria enable the Board to systematically compare student performance, but are not applied in a prescriptive fashion.Students will receive a variety of feedback throughout this unit.
Informally, feedback will be given verbally in class through class discussions and during the debriefing of learning activities.

Direct feedback will be available to those students who request a private or group consultation session with the lecturer.

Formal feedback will be received on both formative and summative assessment tasks through a Criterion Reference Assessment sheet which will also include written feedback on the assessment task. The Criterion Reference Assessment Sheet will be available in the Blackboard unit site at the commencement of the unit. Students will receive feedback on their formative assessment task prior to their summative assessment task being submitted.

Assessment name: Assignment
Description: Students will be provided with small business cases or a business case study that presents a challenge relating to a specific business situation and will be given a range of currently available data that relates to the challenge.

- organise and describe the data presented in a way that assists decision making
- analyse and draw inferences about the data presented in the case to identify what the data reveals about the business issue.
- Write a succinct report that presents the data, the analysis of the data, outlines the limitations/potential pitfalls of the analysis and makes recommendations to the business owner regarding the action that needs to be taken.
Length/Duration: 2000 words
Formative/Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 4 and 5
AOL goals: KS 1.1, 1.2, CTA 2.1, PC 3.1
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: After Module 3

Assessment name: Final Examination
Description: In class, open book final examination. Students will be presented with a detailed case study that outlines a complex challenge that is related to a specific business situation. As part of the case study students will be presented with a dataset. Students will be required to make use of the range of statistical tools and methods developed in the GSZ403 unit to analyse, respond to key issues and prepare a written report during the examination.

Laptop computers will be required. It is the responsibility of the students to ensure that their laptop computers and required software function properly during the exam. Covers Modules 1 to 6 inclusive.
Length/Duration: 2 hours plus 30 mins data preparation and perusal
Formative/Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
AOL goals: KS 1.1, 1.2, CTA 2.1, PC 3.1
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: After Module 6

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 Text :
Nil

Other Resources
GSZ403 Blackboard site

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with 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: 16-Jan-2013