International Year One in Business
INU1111
Quantitative Methods Summative Assignment
Assignment Part B: Data Analysis Report (75% of final mark)
Distribution and Submission Details
Due Date: Assignment Part B: - Due Monday 15th April 2024 (9.00am UK time)
Submission through Turnitin.
Please Note:
Ø Late or plagiarised assignments will be penalised, marks will be deducted for late submission.
Assignment guidelines:
· Using the assignment background information, your chosen research question and your Data Analysis Plan carry out your data analysis.
· Maximum report size 16 sides of A4, including graphs but excluding front page, contents page, reference lists and Appendices.
Assignment Part B
Assignment Part B: 75% of the module mark.
In the second larger part of the assignment, you will analyse your data in depth using a variety of methods. This analysis must include the following sections.
1.0 Introduction
Introduce the topic, use the introduction you wrote for Assignment Part A as the basis for this section. Make any amendments that were mentioned in the feedback for Part A.
2.0 Sample Method
Provided a detailed explanation of your sample method. Use the sample method you wrote for Assignment Part A as the basis for this section. Include any adjustments you have made (for example, if you have since added to or changed your data based on feedback from Part A).
Your sample method should discuss
· The sampling methodology you have used.
· Your sample sizes
· How you have controlled your sample (e.g., only used certain locations or property types)
· Any limitations in the data that may influence the results.
3.0 Initial analysis of your data
· This is the first part of your analysis. The purpose of this section is to look at your two numerical variables individually, to discuss what is going on with the data and what it tells you about this business situation.
· Look at the distribution of each variable, the central tendency, the spread and investigate extreme values. Discuss the variable, e.g., what does the mean price per night of your sample tell you about your sample?
· Investigate your key variables using summary (descriptive) statistics and graphs. Use the descriptive statistics and graph that you created for Part A as a starting point.
· Expand to include your second numerical variable and a comparison between two groups (for example, comparing locations or food types).
4.0 Regression and Correlation Analysis
· Use simple linear regression and correlation analysis with accompanying graphs to analyse the relationship between your key variables. Discuss your regression equation.
· Test your regression equation and interpret the results.
· Explain whether your independent variable is a good predictor for your dependent variable. Consider the correlation (r) and the coefficient of determination (the R-square value). If the independent variable does not explain 100% of the variation in the dependent variable suggest reasons why this could be the case.
Important Guidance: use a simple regression model in this section, do not use a Multiple Regression Model. The purpose of this section is for you to demonstrate an understanding of how to evaluate patterns on fitted line plots, how to use the residuals to detect problems and how to link all the pieces of the regression together. The aim here is to investigate a relationship between two variables whilst identifying and discussing the problems, not to find the best model.
5.0 Further Analysis
Carry out the hypothesis test assigned to you in Semester 2 Week 7.
6.0 Conclusion
· Summarise your findings from each of the three analysis sections (Initial Analysis, Regression and Further Analysis)
· Reflect on your analysis; did your analysis go to plan or were there issues which caused you to change your analysis.
7.0 References
Include a range of references. These should be in the Harvard Reference format. Each reference should feature in the report as a citation and each citation must have an accompanying reference.
8.0 Appendix
Include a copy of your raw data as a table in an appendix at the end of the report.
Marking Scheme for the Assignment
· Introduction to the topic and explaining the sample selection process in detail (10 marks)
· Initial analysis of your data using summary statistics and graphs (30 marks)
· Calculating the regression equation and correlation coefficient. Discussing the regression equation. Making appropriate comments about the regression and correlation results. Testing the equation and discussing the validity of the regression equation (30 marks).
· Hypothesis test (25 marks).
· Conclusion discussion (5 marks)
Please refer to the Quantitative Methods module handbook for a breakdown of the grade descriptors (what is required to reach each marking band).