Unit Outline
BEA674
Data and Business Decision Making
Semester 2, 2024
Kwasi Boateng
Tasmanian School of Business & Economics (TSBE)
College of Business and Economics
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Kwasi Boateng
Email: kwasi.boateng@utas.edu.au
 
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
Managers need an understanding of statistics for five key reasons: to properly collect, present, describe and interpret information; to draw valid conclusions from incomplete data - typically about large populations based only on information obtained from samples; to obtain reliable forecasts; to improve business processes and; to provide a framework for dealing with risk and uncertainty. These five reasons form the basis of the structure and content of Data and Business Decision Making. The use of mathematics and arithmetical calculations are kept to a minimum for selected topics by using the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet package. The unit focusses on the interpretation and application of the various techniques studied.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1
Illustrate how key statistical concepts apply to business environments.
2
Appraise and apply various statistical techniques to critically analyse a range of business problems.
3
Organise and communicate statistical findings to provide relevant recommendations for business decision making.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
N/A
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)
BEA681 AND BEA654
Alterations as a result of student feedback
To Be Determined. 
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Lecture (On Campus)
Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week
1
Weekly
Workshop
2-hr workshop, fortnightly, commencing in Week 2
2
1 time per fortnight
Independent Learning
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Online
Online Class
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Independent Learning
Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week
1
Weekly
Online Class
2-hr workshop, fortnightly, commencing in Week 2
1
1 time per fortnight
Independent Learning
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 The Tasmanian School of Business and Economics regularly hosts Masterclasses and Industry Engagement and Employability Events, which students are encouraged to attend. Registration and details will be available via the College of Business and Economics channel on the Uni App and/or via your Unit Coordinator.
 
 
How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Online Test
See the MyLO site for the due date
30 %
LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:
Group Assignment
Week 12
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:
Examination
Exam Period
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Online Test
Task Description:
The online tests consist of a series of multiple-choice, and long/short answer questions, and must be completed individually via MyLo.
The tests will assess student’s knowledge and ability to interpret and apply the statistical concepts covered in the lectures.

Online test 1 covers contents covered in weeks 1 to 4.
Online test 2 covers content covered in weeks 5 to 8.
Each test is worth 15% for an overall contribution of 30% to your final grade.
Further information about the test will be provided on MyLO approximately one week before the test commences.
Task Length:
60 minutes for each test.
Due Date:
See the MyLO site for the due date
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Define and interpret fundamental concepts used in descriptive and inferential statistics.
LO1
2
Identify interesting business questions about the world around you with SDGs focus.
LO2
3
Appraise and apply relevant descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to analyse variations in business behaviour and outcome.
LO2
4
Determine and judge interesting business questions about the world around you in relation to economic growth
LO2
 
Assessment Task 2: Group Assignment
Task Description:
You are required to form a group to complete the assignment. You will be expected
to analyse a dataset and clearly communicate key findings using various statistical concepts/techniques covered in the lectures.
This is a group assignment and students are required to work collaboratively. Each group has 2-3 students. Each group is required to provide the contributions of individual group members on the cover sheet (as a percentage). This will be used to assess criteria 6 and 7. Each group must assign a specific task to each group member. Each group member should attach a report of what they did in each group. This will be assessed as individual contribution to the group.

Further information about the assignment will be explained.
NB: The provision exists for students in truly exceptional circumstances to submit the assignment as an individual. Further details will be available on the assignment question sheet.
Task Length:
The report should not exceed 1,500 words (excluding references, tables, graphs and calculations).
Due Date:
Week 12
Weight:
30 %
 
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Define and interpret fundamental concepts used in descriptive and inferential statistics.
LO1
2
Illustrate key concepts with real world business examples.
LO1
3
Determine and judge interesting business questions about the world around you
LO2
4
Appraise and apply relevant descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to analyse variations in business behaviour and outcomes.
LO2
5
Justify and use graphs, tables and excel effectively in support of statistical analysis and explanations.
LO3
6
Work productively in a group to communicate statistical results/excel outputs and relevant policy advice clearly in a written report.
LO3
7
Recommend business policy advice based on ethics and/or cross-cultural considerations.
LO3
 
Assessment Task 3: Examination
Task Description:
The examination consists of a series of problem solving questions. The form of the exam is to be announced in MyLo. This exam will cover all the topics delivered in weeks 1 to 12. Further information about the examination will be provided in week 13.
Task Length:
12 hours
Due Date:
Exam Period
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Define and interpret fundamental concepts used in
descriptive and inferential statistics.
LO1
2
Illustrate key concepts with real world business examples.
LO1
3
Identify and articulate interesting business questions about
the world around you in relation to long-term economic growth
LO2
4
Appraise and apply relevant descriptive and inferential statistical
techniques to analyse variations in business behaviour and
outcomes.
LO2
5
Justify and use graphs, tables and excel effectively in support of
statistical analysis and explanations.
LO3
6
Communicate statistical results/excel outputs and relevant
policy advice clearly in a written report.
LO3
7
Recommend business policy advice based on ethics and/or cross-cultural considerations.
LO3
 
 
 
How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 
 
 
Required Resources
Required reading materials
Levine, D., Stephan, D. and Szabat, K. (2020). Statistics for Managers Using Microsoft Excel. 9th ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River.
 
Recommended reading materials
Bowerman, B., O'Connel, R. and Murphree, E. (2011). Business Statistics in Practice. 6th ed. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. 1221 Avenue of the Americas.
McClave, T., Benson, G. and Sincich, T. (2005). Statistics for Business and Economics. 9th ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River
 
Other required resources
Students should have access to Microsoft Excel.