Please submit both the electronic copy to the portal and the same copy in print to your lecturer’s locker
(Burwood students: Level 4, Building la). Note that to ensure access to your lecturer’s locker, you should
submit the hard copy during business hours!
Background
This is an individual assignment, which requires you to analyse a dataset, interpret the results and then
report your findings to a person with little or no knowledge of statistical data analysis.
The assignment uses the file “Ass1.xlsx” which can be downloaded from the MIS171 section in Moodle (in
the Deakin College Portal).
Scenario
You are Alex Cassidy, a business analyst who works for the BLITZ department store chain in their
Research and Analysis department. You have been asked by the General Manager, Ms Jacinta Jones, to
analyse a random sample of data collected from a recent survey of 300 randomly selected customers
shopping in our stores. Her email making this request of you is reproduced below.
MIS171 Business Analytics Assignment One, Trimester 3 2017 2
For Attention: Alex Cassidy, Senior Analyst 9/11/2017
From: Jacinta Jones, General Manager
Regarding: Analysis of the Blitz Store Data
Dear Alex,
Regarding the recent survey of 300 of our customers, the marketing department requires some information
to aid them in decision making. We are hoping you can carry out analysis on the data set with your findings
being included in a report for senior management.
Here is a summary of the key information we require-
1. Please provide an overall summary of the average amount spent per visit of our customers.
2. Please provide an estimate of the proportion of shoppers who are using the internet to shop online
at our Blitz stores.
3. Senior management is also interested in how the average amount spent per shopping trip of the
customers may be related to their gender. Does there appear to be any relationship between
amount spent and gender?
4. Can you please provide an overall summary of how city may affect whether or not the customer is
shopping using the BLITZ online store.
5. Senior management is interested if the average time spent per visit is related to their age,
household income, and the household size. Can you please help us determine if any of these
relationships exist?
Please present your written findings in a report (no more than two pages), with an appendix (no more
than eight pages) containing the results of your analysis.
I look forward to the report in a timely manner.
MIS171 Business Analytics Assignment One, Trimester 3 2017 3
Part 1: Data Analysis
To prepare a reply to the manager’s letter, you will need to use Excel to analyse the data set “Ass1.xlsx”. You
will find this file on moodle.
You will need to apply techniques you have learned during lectures and tutorials in Weeks 1 to 4 such as:
tables
graphs, and
summary measures.
You DO NOT need to perform. any additional analysis other than what you have learned in weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 though
doing so may attract additional marks but only if appropriate and informative.
You may initially produce more Excel output than you need, so you will only need to copy and paste the relevant
output from these worksheets to a ‘Results’ worksheet. Keep in mind the page limit of 8 printed pages for the
analysis AND that the presentation of the results will be marked too!
GUIDELINES
The manager has asked for a number of tasks to be done. The following guidelines for each question
should be followed:
1. Please provide an overall summary of the average amount spent per visit of our customers. You will need to use numerical analysis methods to summarise overall average spend per visit. In the
report, you will also need to write about averages, variability etc. as presented in the examples in the
relevant lecture and tutorial. (Week 3 materials will be helpful here)
2. Please provide an estimate of the proportion of shoppers who are using the internet to shop
online at our Blitz stores.
You will need determine the variable type and hence what methods you should use to provide this
estimate. (Weeks 1 and 2 will be useful here)
3. Senior management is also interested in how the average amount spent per shop of customers
may be related to their gender. Does there appear to be any relationship between amount
spent and gender?
You will need to focus on the type of variables and the appropriate method to use based on this to
determine if there are any differences between the sextypes in the amount they are spending on
average per shop. (Week 4 materials will be helpful here)
4. Can you please provide an overall summary of how city may affect whether or not the
customer is shopping using the BLITZ online store.
Again you will need to focus on the type of variables so you can determine the appropriate method to
use for your analysis that allows you to determine if there are any differences. (Week 4 materials will
be helpful here)
5. Senior management is interested if the average time spent per visit is related to their age,
household income, and the household size. Can you please help us determine if any of these
relationships exist?
Once more you will need to use techniques for the analysis of two variables which was covered in
week 4. You will need to analyse the three (3) numerical relationships. In each case, the type of the
relationship (if there is one) and its direction and strength are of interest. Make sure you comment on
what you find in each case.
MIS171 Business Analytics Assignment One, Trimester 3 2017 4
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
Before doing any analysis, classify all your variables as either numerical or categorical. The techniques
you will use depend on the type of data you have.
As mentioned above, the analysis section (Part 1) you submit should be no more than 8 pages of
computer output. You might produce much more than this initially, but you should trim it down to only
show the most relevant results.
When satisfied, you should copy-and-paste your analysis output into a Word document.
Your analysis should be presented in the same sequence as the manager’s questions, and everything
should be clearly labelled and grouped around each question.
Also, make sure, there are no table or graph “breaks” across two pages.
Poorly presented or unorganised analysis or excessive output (more than 8 pages) will be penalised.
Save your computer analysis frequently (every 10 to 15 minutes).
Part 2: Report (that is, your reply to the Manager’s letter)
Write a letter to the manager, explaining essential information and conclusions from your data analysis.
You are allowed no more than two pages to convey your written findings.
Keep the English simple and the explanations brief.
Avoid the use of technical statistical terminology. Your reader will not necessarily understand
even simple statistical terms, thus your task is to explain your analysis using plain,
understandable language.
General instructions:
The report is to be written as a standalone document (that is, assume for the scenario that the
manager will only read your report, and not look at your analysis output). Thus, you should not have
any loose references to your analysis, eg “see the attached output”.
When writing your reply, make sure that you actually provide the information the manager requested
in her letter to you. That is, answer the manager’s questions.
Do not include computer output tables and charts in your response report.
Number your answers in your report 1, 2 a, … etc., to match the sequence of the manager’s requests.
Using a similar template for your response is a good starting point.
Include an introduction at the start of the report and a summary/conclusion at the end.
Marks will be deducted for the use of technical terms, poor grammar, awkward sentence structure,
poor spelling and punctuation, irrelevant material, poor presentation/organisation and letters that
are over two (2) pages long.
MIS171 Business Analytics Assignment One, Trimester 3 2017 5
Assignment Checklist BEFORE YOU FINISH:
Part 1 (Data Analysis)
1. Have you applied the correct analysis techniques?
2. Is the analysis in the same order as the manager’s requests?
3. Is every table and every graph clearly labelled?
4. Are there tables or graphs that are broken across 2 pages? (If yes, make sure you change that!)
5. Is the analysis output no more than 8 pages long?
Part 2 (Report)
1. Is your report written in simple English?
2. Is it free of grammar and spelling mistakes?
3. Is it free of technical language?
4. Is it free of Excel output (tables, graphs)?
5. Are the answers numbered and in the same order as the manager’s requests?
6. Is the report no more than 2 pages long?
Assignment submission:
Your submission will comprise two (2) parts:
Part 1: Data Analysis (max. 8 pages)
Part 2 : Report (max. 2 pages).
Both parts may be contained in a single file, but their content must be separated. That is, you will submit one MS-Word document only. This MS-Word document will have two parts. Failure to separate Part 1 and Part 2
will be penalised. Furthermore, marks will be deducted for each part where the page limit is exceeded.
The Assignment must be submitted both,
i. electronically and
ii. in print format by the due date.
o 10% of available marks will be deducted if the assignment is only submitted in one format.
Electronic submission:
There will be a link in Moodle under Week 6 labelled “Assignment 1 Online Submission”.
Print copy submission:
1) Your print copy assignment submission must be the same version as the electronic submission! Differences will be penalised.
2) You must complete the Deakin College Assignment Cover Sheet (Deakin College Student Portal: Student -> Forms -> Forms).
MIS171 Business Analytics Assignment One, Trimester 3 2017 6
3) The completed Assignment Cover Sheets must be stapled together with the print copy. Loose paper is not acceptable. Your lecturer assumes no responsibility for lost pages!
4) The print copy must be placed in your lecturer’s locker. (For Burwood students: level 4, building LA. Assignments will not be accepted at Deakin College
Reception).
Students must maintain backup copies of all their assignment work. Electronic loss of data is common but is NOT a satisfactory excuse for an extension of the submission date.
Checking before your SUBMISSION:
1. Are the files identical with the printed assignment?
2. Have you completed the Deakin College Assignment Cover Sheet (Deakin College Portal: Students -> Forms -> Forms -> Assignment Cover Sheet.pdf)?
3. Is the entire assignment, with the completed cover sheet(s) on top, stapled together?
4. Did you submit your files online in the Deakin College portal using the link “Assignment 1 Submission “under Week 6 and an identical print copy to your lecturer’s locker?
Late submission of assignments:
Extension for medical reasons
If your work is late due to medical reasons, you will not need to seek the prior approval from your lecturer. However, you must attach a Doctor’s certificate to your assignment with a note that the
work is late for medical reasons.
Please note that, in these circumstances, the medical certificate must cover the entire period of the extension, from before the time the assignment was due until the time it is submitted.
Penalties for late submissions
Assignments received late and without prior approval, will be penalised. A penalty of 10% of the available marks will be deducted for every day the assignment is late which is in line with Deakin
college policy. Assignments received after one (1) calendar week and without an approved extension, will not be accepted, and therefore will be treated as a non-submission.