Business Statistics -I Fall 2008

MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY

STEVEN L. CRAIG SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

FALL 2008

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: GBA 210-01, Business Statistics I

CLASS MEETING TIME: 12:30-1:50 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday in Room 110 Murphy Hall

PREREQUISITES: MAT 112 (Finite Math) or higher

INSTRUCTOR: Prashant Tarun, Ph.D.

OFFICE: Room 309P Popplewell Hall

OFFICE HOURS: TR 10:00-11:30 a.m., 3:00-4:30 p.m., also available via e-mail.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 816-271-5938 (Phone), ptarun@missouriwestern.edu (E-mail), http://academic.missouriwestern.edu/ptarun (Website).

REQUIRED TEXT:

Statistics for Business and Economics, Tenth Edition by James T. McClave, P. George Benson, Terry Sincich, 2008 (CD inside the cover).

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:

Students should have access to computers with SPSS, Microsoft Excel, and Internet. Students should bring scientific calculators (e.g. TI 83) to class.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is an introduction to statistical techniques that are widely used for making business decisions and conducting research. The course includes data collection and tabulation, graphical representation, measures of central tendency, variability, relative standing and correlation, probability, random sampling (types), qualitative research methods (focus groups, surveys, questionnaires, etc.), random variables, common probability distributions and sampling distributions, hypothesis testing and parameter estimation.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able* to:

1. understand fundamental concepts of data collection, organization and presentation,

2. select a simple random sample and evaluate the role of randomness in collecting data,

3. compute measures of central tendency, variability, relative standing and correlation,

4. understand qualitative research methods,

5. recognize probability problem situations and analyze these situations by the application of basic laws of probability, computation and interpretation of results,

6. differentiate discrete from continuous random variables, find binomial and normal probabilities using tables, and compute expected value and variance for a binomial distribution,

7. analyze binomial and normal probabilities,

8. analyze scenarios appropriate for the Central Limit Theorem, and choose the sampling distributions to find and interpret probabilities for the sample mean and sample proportion,

9. set up, calculate, and interpret confidence intervals for a population mean and a population proportion and determine sample sizes for given levels of confidence and margins of error,

10. set up and test hypotheses about a population mean and a population proportion and interpret the results

11. use software packages (Microsoft Excel/SPSS) to do computations, and

12. think critically about when and how to use statistical techniques for decision-making.

*For all topics, the student should be able to demonstrate knowledge and comprehension. The abilities to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate are assumed to be hierarchical. In other words, the ability to evaluate and synthesize presumes an ability to analyze and apply. Likewise the ability to analyze presumes an ability to apply.

SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES:

In order to align with the Craig School’s mission of imparting contemporary knowledge, instilling professionalism, developing critical thinking aptitude, and providing a conducive applied-learning environment, this course focuses on disciplinary knowledge, critical thinking, quantitative and computer skills. Test questions, quizzes, homework assignments, and class participation will be used to track progress of students in these areas.

GRADING:

The students’ grades are determined as follows:

Homework assignments 25%

Attendance 5%

Class participation 5%

Quizzes 20%

Two chapter tests 15% each

Comprehensive final exam 15%

Letter grades are assigned using the following scale:

A 90% or more

B 80% or more up to 90%

C 70% or more up to 80%

D 60% or more up to 70%

F Less than 60%

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE COURSE:

Materials related to this course will be put on the O drive. Also, you can visit my website http://academic.missouriwestern.edu/ptarun for a variety of course-related information. All the grades will be posted on WebCT. .

COURSE POLICIES:

1. EXAMS: cover textbook chapters, lectures, homework assignments, and handouts. Exams are CLOSED BOOK, but you are allowed to bring a cheat sheet. A cheat sheet is one 8.5 inch x 11 inch piece of paper, which must be written one-sided and in your own handwriting. A cheat sheet must not be typed/ copied. Any cheating will result in severe penalties.

2. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS: Plagiarism is unacceptable. It is of utmost importance that you do the homework assignments yourself to understand the materials covered in the class. You must do and submit your own work. If assignments submitted are similar then all the involved parties will share a grade of zero for the assignment.

3. Please turn cell phones off in class.

4. Roll will be taken regularly in the beginning of class.

5. There are NO MAKE-UP EXAMS unless all the following conditions are met:

· A legitimate reason for taking the make-up exam

· Official documents to prove credibility of the reason for missing the regular exam

· Discussion with the instructor about missing the regular exam prior to the scheduled date of the regular exam

6. Any announcements/notifications pertaining to the class will be sent through MWSU’s e-mail system.

COURSE OUTLINE (TENTATIVE)/ COURSE SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE):

Wk	Date	Topic	Chapter	Assignment
1	26-Aug	Introduction to Business Statistics & Statistical Concepts	1
1	28-Aug	Statistical Concepts Data Collection	1 1.6
2	02-Sep	Describing Qualitative Data	2.1
2	04-Sep	Graphical Methods for Describing Quantitative Data Describing the Relationship between Two Quantitative Variables (Bivariate Relationship)- Scatter Plot	2.2, 2.8 (Box Plot) 2.9
3	09-Sep	Key Symbols and Notation Numerical Description of Quantitative Data- Measures of Central Tendency	2.3 2.4	QUIZ 1
3	11-Sep	Numerical Description of Quantitative Data- Measures of Variability Interpreting the Standard Deviation	2.5 2.6
4	16-Sep	Numerical Description of Quantitative Data- Measures of Relative Standing Measuring the Linear Relationship between Two Quantitative Variables- Coefficient of Correlation	2.7 10.6	ASSIGN HOMEWORK 1 (Chapters 1-3, 10.6, Qualitative Research Methods, 5.7)
4	18-Sep	Qualitative Research Methods (Sample Survey Designs, Types of Sampling)	5.7
5	23-Sep	Sample Space, Events, and Probability	3.1	QUIZ 2
5	25-Sep	Unions and Intersections Complementary Events The Additive Rule and Mutually Exclusive Events	3.2 3.3 3.4
6	30-Sep	Conditional Probability The Multiplicative Rule and Independent Events Random Sampling	3.5 3.6 3.7
6	02-Oct	Random Variables- Discrete & Continuous Probability Distributions for Discrete Random Variables The Binomial Distribution	4.1 4.2 4.3	HOMEWORK 1 DUE
7	07-Oct	EXAM 1 (Chapters 1-3, 10.6, Qualitative Research Methods, 5.7)
7	09-Oct	Probability Distributions for Continuous Random Variables The Normal Distribution Descriptive Methods for Assessing Normality	4.5 4.7 4.8
8	14-Oct	NO CLASS
8	16-Oct	Approximating a Binomial Distribution with a Normal Distribution Sampling Distributions The Sampling Distribution of and the Central Limit Theorem	4.9 4.10 4.11	QUIZ 3
9	21-Oct	Estimation with Confidence Intervals (One-Sample)	5.1, 5.2, 5.4	ASSIGN HOMEWORK 2 (Chapters 4-6)
9	23-Oct	Estimation with Confidence Intervals (One-Sample)	5.3, 5.5
10	28-Oct	Tests of Hypothesis (One-Sample)	6.1, 6.2
10	30-Oct	Tests of Hypothesis (One-Sample)	6.3	QUIZ 4
11	04-Nov	Tests of Hypothesis (One-Sample)	6.4, 6.5
11	06-Nov	Inferences Based on Two Samples	7.1, 7.2	HOMEWORK 2 DUE
12	11-Nov	EXAM 2 (Chapters 4-6)
12	13-Nov	Inferences Based on Two Samples	7.3
13	18-Nov	Inferences Based on Two Samples	7.4, 7.5
13	20-Nov	Categorical Data One-Way Table	9.1 9.2	ASSIGN HOMEWORK 3 (Chapters 7, 9)
14	25-Nov	Contingency Table	9.3
14	27-Nov	THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
15	02-Dec	Contingency Table, Summary of Chi-Square	9.3-9.4
15	04-Dec	Review for Final		QUIZ 5 HOMEWORK 3 DUE
16	09-Dec	EXAM WEEK
16	11-Dec	COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM Thursday, Dec. 11, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m.

ATTENDANCE: Beginning Fall 2007, MWSU freshman and sophomore level courses must report student attendance. Athlete's attendance is reported at all levels. For this course, students with more than 3 unexcused absences before October 17^th must be reported. The Registrar's Office will withdraw the student from the course and the Financial Aid Office will reduce any aid as appropriate.

From the Policy Guide, paragraph IV. B. "Regular class attendance is considered an essential part of the student's educational experience and a requirement for an adequate evaluation of student academic progress. Each instructor will determine and make known to the class the requirement for attendance. When an announced examination falls on the day a student is absent, instructors are not required to prepare or give a makeup test. Consideration will be given to students in the case of genuine illness, emergency, or when acting as a representative of MWSU."

CLASSROOM CONDUCT: Mature, socially responsible behavior is expected. Consider the image you created for your fellow students and instructors when you behave irresponsibly. If a student does not care that he is being disruptive, then they do not deserve to be in the course. Classroom doors may be closed for various reasons, such as quiet or safety or to make a point, and it is the discretion of the instructor to open the door.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

(From the MWSU Policy Guide, page 44, II. A.)

Academic Honesty Policy and Due Process

Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors. Violations of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking credit for another's work, falsifying documents or academic records, or any other fraudulent classroom activity. Violations of academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment, failure in the course, or expulsion from school. When a student's grade has been affected, violations of academic honesty will be reported to the Provost or the designated representative.

Violations of Academic Honesty

Violations of academic honesty include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

1. Copying another person's work and claiming it as your own;

2. Using the work of a group of students when the assignment requires individual work;

3. Looking at or attempting to look at an examination before it is administered;

4. Using materials during an examination that are not permitted;

5. Allowing another student to take your exam for you;

6. Intentionally impeding the academic work of others;

7. Using any electronic device to transmit portions of questions or answers on an examination to other students;

8. Using any electronic device to improperly store information for an exam;

9. Knowingly furnishing false information to the University or its representatives.

10. Assisting other students in any of the acts listed above.

POLICY ON COMPUTER USE AND STUDENT BEHAVIOR:

A state law now makes unauthorized access and interference with computer systems, computer data and other computer users illegal. Always apply normal standard of academic ethics and polite conduct to your use of computing services. Your computing activities should not interfere with the rights of other users. Respect the equipment and privacy of others.

Faculty, staff, and students in the Steven L. Craig School of Business value all aspects of I.N.T.E.G.R.I.T.Y., which is an acronym for Involvement, Next Generation of Leaders, Teamwork, Entrepreneurship, Global Perspective, Respect, Intellectual Curiosity, Technology, and YOU!

STUDENT DISABILITIES:

From the MWSU Policy Guide, Section III Instructional Policies: "Any student in this course who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so that we can discuss class requirements"

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:

In the event of an emergency evacuation from the classroom, use the posted emergency exit route. If anyone needs special assistance to get out of the building, please let me know the first day of class so that we can arrange for class members to help.

TUTORS:

The Center for Academic Success has available to you tutors for this course. Please be considerate and respectful to them. Think of them as an on-going resource; give them regular time and attention and they can help you succeed in the course.