1.3   Subject description

In a world where more data and more complex data is readily available, understanding and applying the principles of data analysis drives timely decision making which is an essential skill to any student. This

subject provides students with an introduction to data analysis, contextualised using data sources you commonly encounter in business environments. Students cover the foundational principles of data

analysis, which are the selection, analysis and interpretation of data. The subject demonstrates that the

research question you wish to answer, drives the data selection and the analysis method. The

interpretation and clear communication of the subsequent findings ensure correct decision making, which in turn drives business success.

1.4   Subject learning outcomes and course learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:

•   describe the practical relevance of data analysis for application in business contexts

•    identify and outline a range of data sources, types and analysis methods relevant to business management

•   apply appropriate methods, interpret results and recommend actions to make insightful business decisions and solve business related problems

These outcomes will contribute to your overall achievement ofcourse learning outcomes .

CLO3: Demonstrate initiative, independence, judgement, and reflective practice with a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development

CLO4: Critically evaluate, interpret and communicate information, data and resources in academic and digital contexts

CLO8: Select, analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data, using appropriate methodologies and applications and convey findings and recommendations through effective written and oral communication

CLO9: Apply technical and digital skills, including literacy and numeracy necessary for professional practice in business

1.5   Student feedback on subject and teaching

Students are at the heart of JCU and as part of our commitment to improving the quality of our subjects

and teaching, we regularly seek feedback on the JCU student experience.

YourJCU Surveys are available to all students throughLearnJCU. You will receive an email invitation when the survey opens.

In response to previous student feedback and other data, the following enhancements to this subject have been made:

•    Free open access to our classe-textbook. Contains a wide range of excercises and solutions for students to practice in their own time along with other interactive activities that can be accessed;

•    Use of engaging tools, such as Gamification through implementation of ‘Quizizz’ within our

synthesis sessions which promote collaboration and interaction amongst students but also assist with preparing for our assessments;

•   Assessments to include both written work (i.e. statistical report), as well as online exams;

•   Synthesis sessions were delivered online, these are now be held face to face, with options to participate online as well; and

•   Student feedback by externally enrolled students have asked for weekly online sessions.

1.6   Subject resources and special requirements

All subject readings and resources, including journal articles, book chapters, websites, videos, print and eTextbooks, are available to view online from your Readings list via your LearnJCU subject site.

All subject readings and resources, including journal articles, book chapters, websites, videos, print and eTextbooks, are available to view online from your Readings list via your LearnJCU subject site. Textbooks are listed in your Readings list, including links to library holdings. The JCU Library has limited print copies of prescribed textbooks for two-day loan, and options for viewing available eTextbooks online.

Additionally, you can find the most appropriate library subject resources, including dedicated discipline - specific Library Guides, relevant databases and access to library services and staff through the Your Library tool, in your LearnJCU subject site.

Our prescribed textbook for BU1007_1807 is “Introductory Statistics”, an OpenStax textbook which is free to all users, there is no cost to students. Students can access the e-book here. They may also save it as a PDF file, should they choose to. We will also use other free Open Educational Resources such as chapter/s from thise-bookand those the university has licenses to, such as LinkedIn Learning.

There are a variety of in-built excercises throughout the text book available for students to practice and assist with consolidating their knowledge. These include: end of section practice and homework sets, examples of each topic are explained step-by-step throughout the text and followed by a Try It problem (Bookshare, 2021).

There are also collaborative exercises and statistics labs designed to give students the opportunity to work together and explore key concepts (Bookshare, 2021).

Students may also practice further free excercises viaGrasple.

Readings and Copyright

Use the Readings  platform for all your readings and other resources, including prescribed textbooks, eTextbooks, journal  articles,  digitised  chapters,  websites,  links  to  Library  Guides,  LinkedIn  Learning, relevant referencing style guides and video content (e.g. YouTube, LinkedIn Learning, Kanopy, Anatomy

TV, Vetstream etc.). Readings is linked to your LearnJCU site through an LTI in the tools menu. Assistance with using the Readings platform is available from theReadings at JCU Guide.

Your Library

The Your Library LTI tool uses metadata to link the most appropriate library subject resources to your LearnJCU  site,  including  discipline-specific  Library  Guides,  relevant  databases,  and  access  to  library services and staff.

Direct any queries regarding this section toinfohelp@jcu-au.libanswers.com.

1.7   Generative AI Usage

This Subject permits the use of Generative AI tools for the completion of learning activities and/or assessments.

2    Assessment details

2.1    Key dates

2.2    Requirements for successful completion of this subject

In order to pass this subject, you must:

•   Achieve an overall percentage of 50% or more

•    Mandatory attendance requirements apply in this subject. A student who fails to attend at least 8 out of 10 workshops, must meet with the Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching and provide evidence as to why they should be permitted to submit the final assessment task.

•    Demonstrate a reasonable attempt on all assessment items. Students who have completed less than 100% of the assessment will be subject to review by the College Assessment Committee which could result in failing the Subject (F – Fail), and

•   Complete at least 80% of assessment requirements, as listed above, and

•    Failure to comply with the above will result in an F (Fail) Result.

Final results for this subject will be graded as described in the Student Results Policy .

Supplementary examinations/supplementary assessments are available for this subject, in accordance

with theLearning, Teaching and Assessment Procedure(3.2.10.e or 3.2.10.f) and the Student Results Policy(2.1).

2.2.1 How do I track my progress in this subject?

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in tutorials to help consolidate their knowledge on the subject matter discussed, as they receive feedback on tutorial questions. In addition, online quizzes

provide students with instant feedback. Multiple opportunities are provided through this platform for students to apply their knowledge through trial and error. A comprehensive feedback will be provided through an online rubric on the case study.

2.3   AccessAbility Services and Support

Reasonable adjustments may be made to assist you to manage additional circumstances impacting on   your studies provided these do not change the academic integrity of a course. Reasonable adjustments do not alter the need to be able to demonstrate the inherent requirements of the course.

If you believe you will experience challenges completing your subject or course because of a disability,

health condition or other reason, you should fill up theAccessibility Intake form(click Forms for

Prospective Students to locate this) and submit to the relevantStudent Ambassadorat JCUS who will be in touch with you.

Your course inherent requirements can be found here.

2.4   Assessment items

Our assessments are positioned to take place at the end of each learning unit, that of Descriptive

Statistics (weeks 1 to 3), Probability Theory (Weeks 4-6) and Inferential Statistics (Weeks 7-10) [Figure 1 below]. They are designed to assess students’ knowledge on the concepts covered during those units

and their ability to execute the associated statistical processes from which interpretations and insights are drawn from.

Figure 1 Content Map

ASSESSMENT ITEM 1: DESCRIPTION

The  aim  of this  assessment  is  for  you  to  apply  knowledge  gained  from weeks  1  to  3  which  covers foundational  principles  relating  to  descriptive  statistics  and  demonstrate  mastery  of  the  associated statistical techniques introduced within this unit. You are then assessed on your ability to synthesise this information and present and communicate your findings effectively through the production of a statistical report.

There are three topic scenarios available (access folder ‘Assessment 1’ via LearnJCU) from which you are to select only one. You will need to locate relevant data sources relating to the chosen topic and undertake the appropriate statistical methods and tests in response to the questions put forward using MS Excel data analysis tools.

As  the  author  of  this  statistical  report,  you  are  to  write  from  the  point  of  view  of  a  statistician, communicating the contents within the report to the relevant department as stated within the selected scenario.

Step 1: Select a topic of interest from the three scenarios provided within our LearnJCU Assessment 1 folder.

Step  2:  Download  both  the  Statistical  Report  template  and  Excel  file  template  provided  within  our LearnJCU Assessment 1 folder.

Step 3: Research relevant data sources from the suggested websites provided within the selected topic scenario [Step 1]. Select data and input this raw data directly into the Excel file template provided within our LearnJCU Assessment 1 folder [Step 2]. Cite the data source within your excel file and statistical report.

Step 4: Explore relevant course readings and conduct exercises within our “Descriptive Statistics” learning unit. Read and incorporate wider literature, including journal articles and grey literature on your chosen topic to support your statistical report.   For help on how to find journal articles goto the “Finding Journal Articles”         page         in         your         library        web         site.         The         link         refers        to         this page:https://www.jcu.edu.au/library/find/journal-articles/finding-journal-articles.

Step 5: Conduct necessary statistical techniques required on the selected data within the excel template provided. Produce required tables, charts required as stipulated within the chosen scenario file [Step 1]. The Statistical Excel Guide located within our Assessment 1 folder is a useful  reference guide which may assist with this exercise.

Step  6:  Produce  a  statistical  report  in  conjunction  with  the  template  provided  within  our  LearnJCU Assessment 1 folder [Step 2]. Specific formatting instructions include:

•   The report must be typed in Microsoft Word format. The word limit is 1000 words (excluding tables, and figures) and you must strictly adhere to this word limit. The report must be typed in 12 point Time  New  Roman font,  double  spaced and  2.5 cm  margins.  Insert tables  and graphical displays of your data analysis in the text where appropriate. Use bullet points sparingly.

•   You  may include any additional (supporting) information in the appendices at the end of the assessment item. Information in the appendices should only be included if it is referred to in the body of the assignment. Word count within the appendix are not included.

•    Please provide numbered headings and reference sources to any charts, tables, images etc used within  the  statistical  report.   Provide  a   brief  explanation   highlighting  the   main  points  or implications of these.

•    Provide references in APA 7th format . Words within the Reference list will not contribute towards word count, however all quotes and intext citations will count towards the word count. For help on how to reference gotohttps://libguides.jcu.edu.au/apa

•    Further details on report writing will be provided on LearnJCU. Guidance on the preparation of the report also will be discussed by your lecturers during workshop/online sessions.

Step 7: You are to submit two files within learnjcu dropbox: (1) A Word Document which is the Statistical Report and (2) The excel file used containing the data, the statistical techniques performed and charts produced.

ASSESSMENT ITEM 1: CRITERIA SHEET (marked out of 100 marks)

You will be assessed on your ability to:

1.   Identify and explain relevant descriptive statistic concepts (25 marks)

2.   Select  and  analyse  relevant  data  using  the  appropriate  statistical techniques within  Excel  (25 marks)

3.   Synthesise  information to determine  meaning and provide recommendations to assist decision making (20 marks)

4.   Incorporate findings or advice from the literature into your argument (15 marks)

5.   Communicate and present findings in a Statistical Report format (15 marks)