RES/342 Version 8

Course Syllabus
School of Business RES/342 Version 8 Research and Evaluation II
Copyright 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.

Course Description This course integrates applied business research and descriptive statistics. Examination of the role of statistics in research, statistical terminology, the appropriate use of statistical techniques and interpretation of statistical findings in business and research will be the primary focus. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Doane, D. P. & Seward, L. E. (2007). Applied statistics in business and economics. Boston, MA: McGrawHill/Irwin. Supplemental Resource Orris, J. B. (2007). Basic statistics using Excel and MegaStat. Boston MA: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. All electronic materials are available on the student website.

Week One: One Sample Hypothesis Testing

Details
Objectives 1.1 Identify the formal hypothesis testing process. 1.2 Perform a hypothesis test of one proportion. 1.3 Perform a hypothesis test of one population mean using the standard normal distribution. 1.4 Interpret the results of hypothesis tests. Read Ch. 8 & 9 of Applied Statistics in Business and Economics. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Register for Online Practice. Log-in to the Online Practice system via your student website and 4

Due

Points

Readings Participation Nongraded Activities and Preparation

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register yourself as a user. You may do this by selecting Online Practice for Students located on the student website. Complete the tutorial in Online Practice. Your instructor may also provide you with a course code to register for your specific course section. This code, however, is not required to use the Online Practice system. Individual E-Text Resource: Ch. 8 of Applied Statistics in Business and Economics Prepare answers to the following assignments: Individual Hypothesis Identification Article Analysis Chapter Exercises 8.48 Chapter Exercises 8.64 Use the University Library or the Electronic Reserve Readings to locate a peer-reviewed article that reports original research and pertains to a specific, stated hypothesis that was used to validate a research study. Use major databases in the Online Collection and the key search words research studies in to obtain an article. Select communication, finance, economics, marketing, technology, or another faculty approved topic for the research study. Prepare a 350- to 700-word analysis of your selected article. Start by identifying and summarizing the hypothesis described in the article. Explain whether the hypothesis was rejected or accepted and what the implications of this finding are for the study. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. 6/25/2012 2 6/25/2012 3

Week Two: Two or More Sample Hypothesis Testing

Details
Objectives 2.1 Apply hypothesis testing to different populations and samples in business research situations. 2.2 Perform a hypothesis test of two population means using the standard normal distribution. 2.3 Perform a hypothesis test of two proportions. 2.4 Determine when to use an ANOVA for managerial decisions. 2.5 Perform an ANOVA. Read Ch. 10 & 11 of Applied Statistics in Business and Economics. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. 4

Due

Points

Readings Participation

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Individual E-Text

Resource: Ch. 9 of Applied Statistics in Business and Economics Prepare answers to the following assignments: Chapter Exercises 9.54 Chapter Exercises 9.56 Chapter Exercises 9.62 Chapter Exercises 9.64

7/2/2012

Learning Team One Sample Hypothesis Testing Paper

Use the ratio or interval numerical data from one of the data sets available through the Data Sets link on your student website. Develop one research question from which you will formulate a research hypothesis. Prepare a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper describing the results of a hypothesis test of one population mean or population proportion. Include the following in your paper: Formulate both a numerical and verbal hypothesis statement regarding your research issue. Perform the five-step hypothesis test on data pertaining to your selection. Describe the results of your test and explain how the findings from this hypothesis testing may be used to answer your research question. Include your raw data tables and the results of the computations of your z-test or t-test using graphical and tabular methods of displaying data and results. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

7/2/2012

Week Three: Nonparametric Tests in Research

Details
Objectives 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Determine when to use nonparametric tests in business. Differentiate among various nonparametric tests. Analyze data with chi-square. Interpret the results of a nonparametric hypothesis test.

Due

Points

Readings Participation Individual Online Practice

Read Ch. 15 & 16 of Applied Statistics in Business and Economics. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Complete the Inferential Statistics section of Online Practice. Print or e-mail a progress report of your advancement in Online Practice to your instructor. It is also recommended to print a copy of 7/9/2012 4 5

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the report for your own records, as well as submitting a copy to your instructor. Individual E-Text Resource: Ch. 10 & 11 of Applied Statistics in Business and Economics Prepare answers to the following assignments: Applying Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Nonparametric Tests Simulation Chapter Exercises 10.30 Chapter Exercises 10.44 Chapter Exercises 10.46 Chapter Exercises 10.56 Chapter Exercises 11.24 7/9/2012 5

Resource: Applying ANOVA and Nonparametric Tests Simulation Complete the Applying ANOVA and Nonparametric Tests simulation located on your student website. Address the following questions: What are three lessons you learned relative to ANOVA and nonparametric tests? As a result of using this simulation, what concepts and analytic tools will you be able to use in your workplace (i.e., how do you expect to apply what you learned)? Based on your experience, what additional information would you recommend to the key decision maker in the simulation to solve the challenge given?

Learning Team Two or More Sample Hypothesis Testing Paper

Use the numerical data from one of the data sets available through the Data Sets link on your student website. Develop one business research question from which you will formulate a research hypothesis that will test two or more populations. Prepare a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper describing the results of a hypothesis test of two populations or more than two populations. Include the following in your paper: Formulate both a numerical and verbal hypothesis statement regarding your research issue. Perform the five-step hypothesis test on data pertaining to your selection. Describe the results of your test, and explain how the findings from this hypothesis testing can be used to answer your research question. Include your raw data tables and the results of your computations in your paper, using graphical and tabular methods of displaying data and results.

7/9/2012

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Format you paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Week Four: Regression Analysis in Research

Details
Objectives 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Interpret the correlation coefficient. Perform a linear regression. Interpret the results of a simple regression. Interpret the results of a multiple regression.

Due

Points

Readings Participation Individual E-Text

Read Ch. 12 & 13 of Applied Statistics in Business and Economics. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Resource: Ch. 15 of Applied Statistics in Business and Economics Prepare answers to the following assignments: Chapter Exercises 15.18 Chapter Exercises 15.22 Chapter Exercises 15.24 Chapter Exercises 15.28 7/16/2012 3 7/16/2012 4 5

Individual Parametric and Nonparametric Data Identification Assignment Learning Team Nonparamet ric Hypothesis Testing Paper

Resources: Parametric and Nonparametric Data Identification Assignment Complete the University of Phoenix Material, Parametric and Nonparametric Data Identification Assignment located on your student website. Use the same research question and data from the Learning Team Meeting Two assignment. Conduct the equivalent, nonparametric test of hypothesis using the five-step process. Prepare a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper describing the results of the nonparametric hypothesis test. Include the following in your paper: Formulate a hypothesis statement regarding your research issue. Perform the five-step hypothesis test on the data. Explain which nonparametric test you used to analyze your data and why you chose that test. Interpret the results of your test, and explain the differences, if any, that you observe from your Week Three paper. Include your raw data tables and the results of your computations in your paper, using graphical and tabular methods of displaying data and results.

7/16/2012

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Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Week Five: Time Series and Forecasting

Details
Objectives 5.1 Apply a time series analysis to forecast. 5.2 Make business decisions utilizing statistical and research outcomes. Read Ch. 14 of Applied Statistics in Business and Economics. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Complete the Correlation and Regression and Time Series sections of Online Practice. Print or e-mail a progress report of your advancement in Online Practice to your instructor. It is also recommended to print a copy of the report for your own records, as well as submitting a copy to your instructor. Individual E-Text Resource: Ch. 1214 of Applied Statistics in Business and Economics Prepare answers to the following assignments: Applying Time Series Methodologies Simulation Chapter 12 Review # 1 Chapter Exercises 12.48 Chapter Exercises 12.50 Chapter Exercises 13.30 Chapter Exercises 13.32 Chapter Exercises 14.16 7/23/2012 5 7/23/2012 4 4

Due

Points

Readings Participation Individual Online Practice

Resources: Applying Time Series Methodologies Complete the Applying Time Series Methodologies simulation. Inform Myra of your forecasts and explain the reasons for your decision. Account for results of the previous two cycles of the simulation in your explanation to Myra.

Individual Final Examination

Resources: Applied Statistics in Business and Economics. Click the link to the Final Examination on your student website available from the end of Week Four through the end of Week Five. Complete the Final Examination. You have one attempt to complete the exam, which is timed and must be completed in 3 hours. Results are auto-graded and sent to your instructor.

7/23/2012

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Learning Team Regression Paper

Use the numerical data from one of the data sets available through the Data Sets link on your student website. Develop one research question and formulate a hypothesis which may be tested with linear regression analysis. Prepare a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper describing the results of the linear regression analysis on your collected data. Include the following in your paper: Formulate a hypothesis statement regarding your research issue. Perform a regression hypothesis test on the data. Interpret the results of your regression hypothesis test. Include your raw data tables and the results of your computations in your paper, using graphical and tabular methods of displaying data and results. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

7/23/2012

Optional Discussion Questions Week One Discussion Questions What are the steps espoused by Applied Statistics in Business and Economics (or the instructor) for formal hypothesis testing? Explain why the sequence is important. What might happen if the hypothesis test is performed before the researcher has decided on the significance level? Why does the significance level differ among industries? Is the null hypothesis more likely to be rejected at = 0.01 than = 0.10? As the significance level increases to = 0.10 from = 0.01, which type error is more likely to occur? What may be done to reduce the likelihood of incurring this error? Explain the difference between a left-tailed, two-tailed, and right-tailed test. When would you choose a two-tailed test? How might you tell the direction of the test by looking at a pair of hypothesis? How might you tell which direction (or no direction) to make the hypothesis by looking at the problem statement (research question)? Explain the difference between the null hypothesis and the alternate hypothesis. How is the null hypothesis chosen? Why is it null? What is the importance of rejecting the null hypothesis in relation of the sample to the population? With a failure to reject the null hypothesis, might we make a general statement about the population based on the sample findings? Why is statistical significance not necessarily of practical important difference to a business decision? Provide an example and explain. Why do statisticians play only a limited role in deciding whether statistical significance requires a business action? In a hypothesis for a proportion, when may normality be assumed? If the sample size is too small to assume normality, what might we do? Week Two Discussion Questions

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What is an independent sample? What is a related sample? When must researchers use different hypothesis tests for independent and related samples? Is one type of sample preferable over the other? What is a Type I error? Explain how the cumulative Type I error affects your decision making. How are the two independent sample t-tests different from ANOVA? Why is the F distribution important? How do you determine if a significant difference exists among the groups in ANOVA? How do you determine differences between the groups in ANOVA? Describe the requirements that must be met before an ANOVA test may be used. Discuss what the researcher must do if one of these requirements is not met. Week Three Discussion Questions Can the formal hypothesis testing approach be used for nonparametric tests? How are parametric and nonparametric statistics different? How are parametric and nonparametric statistics similar? Under what circumstances must a nonparametric test be used? Explain. What are the strengths and weaknesses of nonparametric tests? Can the outcomes of nonparametric tests be generalized to populations? Why do you use the chi-square statistic? What type of data is used with chi-square analysis? What are the nonparametric tests that correspond to each type of parametric test in Week One and Week Two? Week Four Discussion Questions Does correlation equal causation? Does the strength of correlation depend on the direction? What is the meaning of a zero correlation? Explain your answers. What is the difference between an independent and a dependent variable? Does a regression model imply causation? Explain why or why not. What terms describe the fit of a regression equation to the data? What is the importance of the coefficient of determination (r2)? How do you identify outliers in your data? How do they affect your regression equation? What are the requirements that must be met for a regression analysis? What happens if these requirements are violated? Why is analysis of residuals important? Week Five Discussion Questions What are the components of a time series? What external factors might affect each of the different components? What is the purpose of forecasting? Why are forecasts not always correct? What are the limitations of forecasting? Why is the trend commonly thought to be the most important component of forecasting? How is the linear trend method related to linear regression? Why are simple moving averages and weighted averages commonly used forms of forecasting? What is an index number as relates to time series analysis? In a regression of a time series that states data as a function of calendar year, what requirement of regression is violated? How might one overcome this requirement and still perform a successful time series analysis?

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Copyright
University of Phoenix is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation. Final exams contain third-party copyrighted materials. Portions are: Copyright 2010 University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010 McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved. Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix editorial standards and practices.