**Complete Module 1 SLP before Module 1 Case**
Module Objectives
Upon successful completion of this module, the student will be able to satisfy the following objectives:
- Conduct, analyze and interpret descriptive statistical results from Excel.
- Evaluate Excel analysis to provide findings to support practical business applications.
- Analyze graphs, charts, and descriptive statistics created in Excel.
- Examine implications of data misuse, flawed analysis, and user bias.
Module Overview
Business Analytics and Decision Making is an area of study that is receiving more recognition over the past decade. It is not just for statisticians and numbers gurus. Information is everywhere. We can harness its power through analysis. During this module, we will use Excel to display graphic representations and descriptives of our survey data. In conjunction with industry research, we will use our findings to support practical business applications for decision-making.
Case 1 Resources
Load the Analysis ToolPak in Excel Available chart types in Office Analyze Data in Excel Differences between histograms and bar charts How to Label Figures in APA Format
Session Long Project 1 Resources
COUNTIF function Available chart types in Office Load the Analysis ToolPak in Excel (You will need this) Use the Analysis ToolPak to perform complex data analysis (Descriptive Statistics) What is a pie chart? The story you want to tell...and the one your data shows How to Label Figures in APA Format
Module 1 Discussion Week 1 Resources
How to Lie with Statistics (2024) How to Lie with Charts (2024) 5 Examples of Awful Data Visualization (2024) Good and bad data visualization examples (2024) Fake News: Using & Misusing Statistics
Module 1 Discussion Week 2 Resources
Simpson's Paradox Explained (2024) Fake news in the U.S. - statistics & facts (2024) Examples of Misleading Statistics in the Media (2024) Online opt-in polls can produce misleading results, especially for young people and Hispanic adults (2024)
Optional Reading
Writing
Trident guide to APA Style Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) General Writing Links
APA & Style Resources
APA Style Guide OWL APA Style Guide How to implement citation and paraphrasing into the writing process How Do I Cite Sources?
TURNITIN Resources
- Assignment Overview
Professional Application with Excel
Critical thinking and analysis are valuable skills for professionals in any industry. Exploring data can include financials, sales figures, benchmarks, or survey results. While data is everywhere, it is meaningless unless we can use it to support decision-making.
Tables, graphs, and output from Excel may be non-sensical. This is where the analyst comes in; their knowledge and expertise are used to interpret results. If a visual or output cannot be easily explained, then it may not be useful.- Case 1 Resources
Load the Analysis ToolPak in Excel
Available chart types in Office
Analyze Data in Excel
Differences between histograms and bar charts
How to Label Figures in APA Format - Case Assignment
- Industry Research and Analysis with Excel
Research the industry listed in the Excel sheet. Using a US Industry Report in IBISWorld’s Industry Research, provide a one-page background of the industry. Find a balance between explanations, data and statistics provided. You must decide what information should be included in this section.
(IBISWorld Research support required) This section must be one page in length.
Next, create a histogram for each of the four survey measures. Describe the skew and spread. Make connections between analysis of each histogram and the “descriptives” from Module 1 SLP. Using research on the state of the industry, provide rationale for the results. (Research support required)
Finally, use Analyze Data in Excel. Select three of the suggestions and add them to this report.
Insert Chart in Word.
No quotations are permitted in this paper. Since you are engaging in research, be sure to cite and reference the sources in APA format. This is a professional paper; not a personal one based on feelings. It must be written in the third person; this means words like “I”, “we”, and “you” are not appropriate.
This is the Data and Scenarios that will be used for class. - Assignment Expectations
Use the attached APA-formatted template (BUS520 Case1) to create your submission.
The template is set up in APA 7: double-spacing, font, margins, headings, page breaks, APA help links.
Your submission will include:
Trident University International’s cover page
A paper with APA citations (2- to 3-sentence introduction, body (includes Excel output), 2- to 3-sentence conclusion)
The reference list page in APA format
Excel Spreadsheet. Grade will not be posted without Excel upload.