BUACC5931- Research and Statistical Methods for Business

Learning Outcomes:

This course is designed to cover theoretical, methodological, and practical issues in business research. Students will examine the nature of business research and will practically learn to obtain information for decision making. The course has got a researcher approach. It aims to equip students with skills to identify problem areas in business settings and to understand the planning, design, conduct and interpretation of the business research.

This course is designed to enable students to:

Knowledge

K1 Distinguish between primary and secondary data gathering

K2 Classify the various accounting and business issues where primary data-gathering and analysis is most appropriate

K3 Understand the range of statistical tools available to analyse and present research outcomes to a broad cross-section of users

Skills

S1 Differentiate between situations where primary data gathering is preferable to relying on secondary sources

S2 Frame a research question and design a questionnaire or other research method that will enable a conclusion to be reached

S3 Demonstrate a capacity to view an accounting or business issue from multiple perspectives, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches

S4 Utilise computer packages to perform routine data analysis tasks and statistical analyses

S5 Develop a set of statistical skills to facilitate the analysis and understanding of quantitative data-sets Application of knowledge and skills

A1 Analyse business issues in a manner that assists the development of an approach that will facilitate their resolution

A2 Propose a survey that would provide a basis of information for assisting informed decision-making

A3 Use basic statistical measures and techniques to rigorously examine data-sets, and use the resultant information as a basis to communicate the underlying structure

Learning Tasks and Assessment:

Students are strongly advised to attempt ALL assessment tasks. Students who do not submit a task(s) or fail a task(s) in the semester will be identified as a ‘student at risk’ of unsatisfactory academic progress (outlined in the School Handbooks) and will be directed to the School’s Intervention Program. Students who encounter difficulties or who are otherwise concerned regarding their progress should consult their lecturer.

Assessment criteria set out the details by which performance in each task will be judged. This information will give a clear and explicit understanding of the expected standards to be achieved relative to the marks awarded

Report Structure: The group project should have the following structure:

1. Executive Summary: Major findings and major recommendations

2. Introduction: Background (of the case); purpose (of this report); two to three research objectives for a study that you would seek to conduct; and format (of this report).

3. Write a short literature review of at least six academic sources relevant to your topic. Any source including books,journal articles are acceptable, as long as they are relevant. You can also use a particular website for some information. If websites are used they will be in addition of the six academic sources.

4. Describe the methodology and justify your choice. 

Course Description (Higher Education)

BUACC5931 Research and Statistical Methods for Business

CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 6 of 11

Specifically describe about the measures, sampling method, procedure of data collection

5. Analyses and findings: Run some analysis to turn the data into useful information as follows:

a) Descriptive statistics: Sample characteristics will be described with descriptive analysis. This will include at least the following analysis: Frequency, percentage; Measures of central tendency (means, median, mode); Measures of dispersion (variance, standard deviation)

b) Inferential statistics: Inferential statistics will be used to analyse relationship between variables. This will include at least the following analysis (Chi-square, Pearson’s r, t-test, ANOVA test).

6. Discussion and managerial advice: linking your findings to extant literature. Advise the management about the usefulness of the findings.

7. Limitations and directions for future research. Suggestions of how the research can be improved.

8. Include a correctly constructed reference list of all sources used in the project, not just those used in the literature review section. Appendices also should be attached which will include all the analysis and graphs etc. that are not included in the body of the report.