Students

MMBA8160 – Information and Decision Analysis

2020 – MGSM term 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Brad Smith
brad.smith@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MBA or PGDipMgt or GradDipMgt or MSocEntre or GradCertSocEntre
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides quantitative/statistical research tools, data analysis and computer modelling necessary to help the modern business manager with strategic planning, tactical decision-making, and resolving business problems. It also covers the efficient use of all resources to enhance management effectiveness. The overall aim is to improve the reliability of decisions made and to develop better strategy through the use of scientific method.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

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

  • ULO1: Evaluate disparate data and information using appropriate quantitative tools to evidence and formulate well-informed and robust strategic business decisions.
  • ULO2: Use appropriate quantitative research tools, evaluate and synthesise quantitative data to help assess the implications of strategic decisions from a whole of entity perspective, and across a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
  • ULO3: Critically assess and integrate ethical, social and environmental factors into business decision-making and management practices that are also commercially viable from a quantitative point of view.
  • ULO4: Apply a range of research tools and models of business performance and productivity to measure and track sustainable value creation across organisational processes and projects.

Assessment Tasks

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Assessment Information

Title Description Weighting Hurdle? Task type Due date Actions
Individual assignment

Format: Question set

In order to understand properly the material covered in the course, it is necessary for you to practice what you have learned. The individual assignment (and exercises) provides an opportunity for you to gain experience in the techniques and concepts. There is only one individual assignment that you should do by yourself. It covers what you have learned in the lectures up to and including session 5. The solutions to this assignment will be discussed during the final lecture and also placed on the web site.

Extensions and penalties

No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted.

 20% No Question set Session 6 of class    
In-class test

Duration: 1 hour

Format: Open book test

The in-class test, held under exam conditions during the class session, will include the material covered in session 1 - 5. You can use books, notes and a non-programmable calculator. It will consist of fifteen multiple choice questions and four short answer/calculation type questions. Notebook computers, iPads, tablets, PDAs and similar are not allowed. It is not necessary to pass this in-class test to pass the unit.

 20% No Examination (Open Book) Session 8 of class    
Final examination

Duration: 3 hours plus 10 minutes reading time

Format: Open book final examination

You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the MGSM examination timetable. The timetable will be available on 22 January 2020 at https://students.mgsm.edu.au/sydney-students/units/exams/.

The exam format will be open book, and will consist of a combination of multiple choice, short answer and problem solving style questions. More details on the exam will be provided in class. The final examination will cover all topics dealt within the unit. You can use books, notes and a non-programmable calculator. Notebook computers, iPads, tablets, PDAs and similar are not allowed.

 60% No Final Examination Exam week: 16 - 21 March 2020    
Total: 100%

Delivery and Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.

Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Prescribed Textbook

Croucher, John. S. (2018). Quantitative Analysis for Management, 6th edition. McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN: 9781760425029

You should bring this textbook to all lectures as it is also a workbook.

Please note: Students should only attain the 6th edition of this textbook, which is the only edition this class will be taught from. Furthermore, this course relies heavily on the learning material provided in the textbook (which also acts as an exercise book for in-class demonstration and activities). It is highly advised that students attain the required textbook as soon as possible and familiarise themselves with the textbook material, especially before the start of each class session for sessions with specific allocated chapters (which is made available in the unit schedule below as well as the class iLearn page). 

Where to purchase the textbook?

McGraw Hill Education Australia – Online store: This textbook is also available for order via the publisher’s online store. For information on textbook prices and online ordering, please refer to the McGraw Hill Education Australia online store at https://www.mheducation.com.au/quantitative-analysis-for-management-6e-9781760425029-aus

Additional Recommended Text

The text listed below are optional only. It is not compulsory to attain a copy.

  • Croucher, John S. (2016). Introductory mathematics and statistics for business (6th edition- revised). McGraw-Hill.
  • Render, B., Stair, R., Hanna, M.E. and Hale, T.S. (2015). Quantitative analysis for management (12th edition). Pearson.
  • Bowerman, B.L., O’Connell, R. and Murphree, E. (2013). Business statistics in practice (7th edition). McGraw-Hill

Calculator

A basic calculator with specific keys shown below is required in this unit since it will be used in all class tests and final exam. You may find it useful, but it is not necessary, to have a statistical calculator that has in-built statistical functions. There are several types of these: 

  • The lowest level statistical calculator has function keys such as the mean and standard deviation but no other statistical function keys.
  • The next level above also has function keys for correlation and linear regression. An example is one of the Casio fx series such as the 82 or 100 series, but there are many others.

In any case, your calculator should include the following keys:

 x!        ex       nCr

You need to bring your calculator to every session class.

Access to Technology

Access to a personal computer and internet connection is required to access learning material/resources online on Macquarie University's online learning management system called iLearn.

Students will also be required to gain access to statistical software called Minitab 16. While the text refers to Minitab 16, version 17 & 18 may be used. Further instructions are provided in the class iLearn page.

iLearn - Your class online learning resources page

The class iLearn page for this unit is located at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/​. You must be enrolled in this class to see the class iLearn page.

As an enhancement to this unit, there is a series of multiple choice and short answer questions that you may try on iLearn, Macquarie University's online learning management system. Answers will also be provided on iLearn. To access these, just log in via the link above.

The purpose of these questions is for practice only. They will not be used for assessment purposes but is hoped that you will attempt them for your own benefit.

For any enquiries regarding difficulties accessing these questions, please contact Mr Ariel Alcantara on email at: ariel.alcantara@mq.edu.au.

Lecture Slides

Lecture slides will be provided to students only in soft-copy format via the class iLearn page.

Allocated Supplementary Readings

There are no Allocated Supplementary Readings (journal articles and case studies) set for this class. Students are required to attain the required text listed above and bring to every class session.

Unit Schedule

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Students are required to attend all classes. Please only attend the class you are enrolled in as reflected in your e-Student account. This unit will be presented over 10 sessions as follows (The proposed program might be subject to some minor changes as the term progresses (TBA)).

Class sessions are scheduled from: 6pm to 10pm of every Wednesday starting from 08 January 2020 (session 1) until 11 March 2020 (session 10). 
Final exam week: 16 - 21 March 2020 
Session Topics and textbook chapters covered

1

Introduction to statistics - ch 1.1

Sampling procedures - ch 1.2 - 1.3

Summarising data - ch 1.4 - 1.7

Measures of centre - ch 1.8 - 1.14

Other statistical measures - ch 1.13 - 1.14, 1.16, 1.18 - 1.19

Measures of variation - ch 2.1 - 2.7

2

Introduction to statistical distributions and discrete probability distributions - ch 10.1 - 10.11

Random variables and discrete probability distributions expected values, risk and chance - ch 3.13 - 3.15

3

Normal distribution - ch 2.13

Areas under the normal curve - ch 2.14 - 2.21

Estimation - ch 3.1 - 3.3

Confidence intervals - ch 3.4 - 3.10

4

Correlation - ch 4.1 - 4.8

Time series models - ch 4.9 - 4.11

Regression models - ch 4.12 - 4.19

Exponential smoothing models - ch 4.23 - 4.28

Seasonal data - ch 4.29 - 4.30

Lag effects - ch 4.31 - 4.33

5

Categorical data - ch 5.1 - 5.3

Single variable data - ch 5.4 - 5.7

Contingency tables - ch 5.8 - 5.10

6

Introduction to hypothesis testing -  ch 6.1 - 6.5

One-sample tests - ch 6.7 - 6.12

Using Minitab - ch 6.13 - 6.16

7

Analysis of variance (one-way) - ch 8.1 - 8.3, 8.5

Multiple comparisons - ch 8.8 - 8.9

Analysis of variance (two-way) - ch 8.10

Using Minitab - ch 8.11

Visual displays - ch 8.13 - 8.19

8

Odds and probability - ch 9.1 - 9.3

Odds ratios - ch 9.4

Binary logistics regression - Single covariate - ch 9.5 - 9.7

Using Minitab - ch 9.8 - 9.9

Testing of parameters - ch 9.10 - 9.12

Binary logistic regression - Multiple covariate - ch 9.13

9

Queueing systems - ch 12.1

Definitions and parameters - ch 12.2 - 12.9

A simple queue - ch 12.10

Calculation of probabilities and outcomes - ch 12.11, 12.13 - 12.14

Multiple server queues - ch 12.16 - 12.22

10

General course summary

Revision questions

Outline of the final examination

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
03/01/2020 Updated due date information and changed from "weeks" to "sessions". Also updated MGSM Exam Timetable release to 2020 Term 1 date. Finally, updated link to textbook to match the prescribed textbook edition and ISBN.