1. Recognise, recall and apply specific quantitative facts and techniques/tools.

Assessment task details and instructions

You are required to investigate some previously published quantitative information (i.e. secondary data).  The project will concentrate on the manipulation and presentation of data together with an appropriate analysis.

You should select your data from the Excel file provided to you by your lecturer. You do not need to analyse all of the data provided. Instead, you can choose a subset of the data to study and present. You can also generate more columns from the data given.

You should submit a single word-processed document consisting of the following:

1.    A short research paper of no more than 2 pages. You should use the template provided on Blackboard.

This part of your submission is supposed to mimic the style of a published research paper, but in a much shorter form. It should contain the following:

(i)           A Title. This must be worded as a question.

(ii)          An Abstract of about 80-120 words summarizing your paper.

(iii)         An Introduction consisting of one paragraph stating the focus of your analysis and the main goal of your study.

(iv)         A Data and Methods section. In the first part of this section you should indicate the data that you are using, including any transformations or grouping of values and how you dealt with any missing values. The second part should describe the methods of analysis you have used.

(v)          A Findings section. Here you should include what you found from your analysis. For example, what was remarkable, what was expected, what changes over time and what differences you discovered, etc. This should refer to relevant graphs and tables in your appendix (see below).

(vi)         A Conclusion. This should briefly summarise the major findings from your study, identify any weaknesses of the analysis, and suggest future studies that might extend your current findings.

(vii)        References (if any).

2.    An appendix containing graphs, tables and statistical measures. These must be labelled and include technical comments and explanations where appropriate.

Assessed intended learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

1.    Recognise, recall and apply specific quantitative facts and techniques/tools.

2.       Select an appropriate technique for a business-related problem.

3.    Recognise common sources of bias and limits to accuracy in quantitative results.

4.    Introduce academic reading and writing in the context of mathematical modelling and data analysis.

5.    Critique articles and news stories that include statistical and quantitative information, recognising that variability is natural, predictable and quantifiable, and that association is not the same as causation.

Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills

1.    Use computer software to carry out quantitative analysis and present results.

2.    Select or collect data for use in quantitative problem-solving or descriptive analysis.

Transferable Skills and other Attributes

1.    Select, organise and present relevant information clearly and logically.

2.    Discuss and interpret results and present a well-structured report (written and verbal) in support of findings.

3.    Present data in a variety of formats.

4.    Formulate, derive and assess quantitative modelling approaches to solving problems.

Module Aims

1. Develop quantitative literacy in students, including the ability to make numbers meaningful, focussing on conceptual understanding and recognising the demands for dealing with big data.

2. Provide students with a sound grasp of the fundamental concepts needed to use and interpret quantitative methods which are used to analyse business data and hence aid informed decision-making.

3. Develop the concept of mathematical and statistical modelling in business, finance and economics, and appreciate that modelling can be more subjective than commonly assumed.

4. Prepare students for entry to more advanced modules dealing with quantitative analysis in business, finance and economics.

5. Develop skills in the use of spreadsheet software and calculators.