Welcome to QMB 6305
Statistical Methods for Management
Fall, 2001
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Please visit the
Course WebBoard
(just click on the underlined name WebBoard above, or
click on the WebBoard Icon at the bottom of this page)
and respond to the Virtual Role Call Conference with your
preferred name and e-mail address. Please try to do this
by September 1, 2001.
First VOLUNTARY
Chat Session, through the Course WebBoard Module 1
Conference, will be 9:30 p.m., August 30, 2001 - please
join the Chat session to ask questions/discuss the
course.
About the Course
This course develops the basic
statistical tools used in quantitative analysis in
business. Topics include descriptive statistics, interval
estimation, hypothesis tests, correlation and regression
analysis, analysis of variance and analysis of
categorical data.
Emphasis is on applications, concepts and interpretation
of results, rather than theory and calculations. Students
use a computer software package for data analysis.
This Internet version of Statistical Methods for
Management was developed to give students the opportunity
to take the course at their own pace and location.
However, a schedule (select Module
Schedule) is provided for
those students who prefer more structure and an
opportunity to use the WebBoard to "discuss at a
distance" statistical concepts, applications and
projects.
Whether you use the WebBoard or not, be sure to visit the
Module Schedule at least on a weekly basis since it
includes assignments and due dates for assignment
exams.
Learning
Objectives
Select, understand and apply
appropriate statistical tools for descriptive,
inferential and predictive analysis of quantitative and
qualitative data from a variety of scenarios.
Use statistical software package for data analysis;
understand basic data gathering and input considerations;
and be able to interpret output.
Know ethical considerations in collecting data and
selection of appropriate analysis tools; and know how to
report results in a fair, objective and neutral
manner.
Course
Overview
This course is organized in
six main content modules that are to be completed in
sequence. The Main Modules may be accessed through the
Module
Schedule that is linked at
the bottom of this and other course Web pages.
Each Main Module has Learning Objectives, Notes, an
Assignment (no Assignment for Main Module 6), and a
Readings list. The Main Modules, with their direct links
are:
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Module
1: Presenting,
Describing and Inferring from a Sample of
Numerical Data
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Module
2: Simple Linear
Regression and Correlation
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Module
3: Multiple
Regression and Model Building
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Module
4: Comparing
Multiple Samples of Numerical Data
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Module
5: Presenting,
Describing and Inferring from Categorical and
Discrete Data
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Module
6: Course
Review
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Each Main Module is further broken
down into topics. For example, Module 1 includes five
topics. The first topic, Module 1.1, "Why Statistics for
Managers," introduces the course; and is followed by
Module 1.2, "Describing Data with Pictures." Each topic
includes notes and examples from Excel.
The notes serve as the course textbook and should be
helpful in preparing for the course assignments. The
notes can be accessed through the Module Schedule as well
as through the parent Main Module.
Assignments
Statistical Methods for
Management involves "learning by doing" course
assignments. The first three course assignments involve
the analysis of sets of data collected by students,
preferably from environments in which the student works
or volunteers their time. Data may also be gathered from
University processes for these three assignments.
The first three assignments will be graded, as explained
in the exam section below. The last two assignments
involve the analysis of sets of data provided in the
module notes, and are worked within the module notes.
Although the last two assignments are not graded,
students are encouraged to submit their analysis or
questions to the instructor for feedback. The statistical
analysis for all cases will be done using Microsoft Excel
2000.
Exams
There will be four exams,
each worth 100 points. The first three exams are based on
the first three assignments, and cover the first three
main modules in the course. Exams are open book/notes,
and include short answer/ objective questions about the
assignment. The questions are worth 90 points, with 10
points for correct Excel Assignment input/output. These
10 points will be deducted for exams and/or Excel
Assignments turned in past the due date shown in the
Module Schedule, and repeated in the parent Main
Modules.
The last open book/open notes exam will cover general
questions from the first three Modules and Assignments,
plus material covered in Modules 4 and 5.
Exams One, Two and Three will be e-mailed to students
upon their communicating to the instructor that the
respective assignments have been completed. THIS
COMMUNICATION MUST BE VIA E-MAIL, AND THE
RESPECTIVE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE ATTACHED. Exams may be
electronically mailed or faxed back to the instructor by
the due date. The fourth and final exam will be
electronically mailed to students on the first day of
final exam week.
Schedule
The Module
Schedule provides a map of
the course, and includes an index to Main Modules, Module
Notes, Assignment and Exam Due Dates, and WebBoard
discussion dates and times. The schedule is organized by
Week Number and Week End Date. The ending date of each
week is provided in order to relate to the dates when
course assignments and exams are due.
The schedule is suggested for those students who prefer
to pace themselves through the course, and take advantage
of WebBoard discussions with the instructor and
classmates on topics listed for the week. However, the
schedule is optional, and students may prefer to proceed
at their own ACCELERATED pace. For those students wishing
to accelerate the course schedule, Main Modules and
associated assignments will be available by August 27,
2001. However, updated Module Notes written by the
instructor may not be available until one week prior to
the scheduled assignment of the module.
The critical item to remember is that project assignment
and exam due dates apply for all students registered in
the class. That is, the schedule may be accelerated
but not delayed. The Module Schedule may be
accessed through links available at the bottom of the
course web pages.
Grades
Grades are A (90-100% of
total points); B (80-89%); C (70-89%); and F (below 70%).
Incomplete will be given by exception when a limited
portion of the course material has not been completed by
the last exam due date, in accordance with University
policy published in the Catalog.
Software
Microsoft Excel 2000
(earlier versions will work).
Optional Course
Material
Anderson, Sweeney, and
Williams. "Contemporary Business Statistics with
Microsoft Excel," Cincinnati OH: South-Western, 2001.
This text is available through the FGCU Bookstore (to
order by phone call (941) -590-1150), and may serve as an
additional course resource for students who desire
additional explanation of topics, additional examples,
additional Excel demonstrations, or more in-depth
coverage of a particular topic. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO
HAVE THE TEXT TO COMPLETE THE COURSE - it is available
simply as an additional resource.
Module
Schedule
About the Course