Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MBA 6273
Data Analysis for Managers
Autumn, 2015
Gerlach 375
Professor: John Gray
e-mail: gray.402@osu.edu
Office: 612 Fisher Hall
Phone: 247-8021
This course develops the quantitative thinking and skills needed for managerial data analysis.
Large quantities of data are routinely available in all disciplines of business, from direct marketers
analyzing databases to identify target markets for new promotional material and cross-selling
activities, to investment firms that rely on security prices and economic forecasts to identify the
optimal composition of portfolios. When not available, it often makes sense to collect data to aid
in decision-making. The analysis of datafrom large data sets or smallin accounting, finance,
marketing, operations and human resources is based on the same underlying principles, and this
course exposes students to these principles.
Effective learning in this course requires students to both understand how to go about conducting
data analysis, and be able to draw inferences that shed light on specific problems. Students will
develop an intuition about concepts like statistical significance and conditional probability as they
apply to business problems, and will be able to manipulate, graph and learn from data using
software they can bring with them to other classes and into the workplace (the skills learned are
transferable to other software packages) A few key purposes of this class are:
Give students experience with realistic problems and challenge them to develop their
intuition, logic and problem-solving skills.
Emphasize practical and marketable skills by developing both data analytic and
spreadsheet skills that will add value in other courses and in their careers.
Given these goals, students will get immediate exposure to graphing and describing the data with
summary measures, including measures of variability and association. Probability and
distributions are then introduced, which are foundational not only to data analysis but also to many
related activities not covered in this class such as simulation. Next, the concept of an estimator is
introduced as a means of making inferences about the broader population. Confidence intervals
and hypothesis tests follow, with the last weeks spent on the very important topic of regression
analysis.
Class Structure
Classes will be a mixture or lecture/discussion, live demonstration of techniques, and
activities/exercises performed by the students. As discussion and exercises will both involve
active learning by students, it is important to have read the assigned material and worked on
problems before class. Exercises will frequently involve the use of Microsoft Excel. If at all
possible, you should bring a laptop to class as we will often work through problems collectively.
These hands-on exercises are an important part of learning the material and honing skills. If you
do not have a laptop, then befriend someone in class who does and see if they will let you work
with them.
You can post questions on the course web site. I have created several discussion forums
in Carmen. Your question is likely to be one that others have as well, and it can often
answered effectively by one of your fellow learners. Please use this as your primary option.
The TAs and I are available via e-mail (see top of syllabus for e-mail addresses). I am also
available via my office phone (247-8021).
One of the TAs will conduct a recitation on Fridays in Room 375. In Term 1, they will be
offered twice: 8:30-10 and 10:15-11:45. In Term 2, one session will be offered from 10:1511:45. One of the TAs will also be available for office hours from TBD - TBD on TBD in
Room TBD. Both the TA recitations and office hours are strictly optional.
Students have found these methods very effective. However, if you ever have difficulty
reaching us or getting any of your needs met, please let me know.
100
100
100
10
310
Super Crunchers: The book Super Crunchers by Ian Ayres provides compelling arguments for
the value of the material learned in this course, particularly hypothesis testing and regression.
For 10 points, complete the following assignment: Read the book, and provide me a 1-page
summary of the key points of the book and a 1-page outline of a Super Crunching opportunity
in your past or desired future workplace.
Grade Appeal Policy: Grades on exams are intended to reflect the overall quality of performance
of the student(s). We will carefully grade the exams, and are as consistent as possible in giving
partial credit where applicable. If you think your grade on an exam does not reflect the quality of
your performance, submit a clear written explanation via e-mail with your reasoning within one
week after the exam grades are posted. The written document need not be long, but must clearly
identify the problem or issue of concern. I will consider all such appeals. There will be no grading
appeals after the one-week deadline has passed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Academic Misconduct: Material submitted for course grade credit must be your own work. Please be
informed that both you and I must follow Faculty Rule 3335-5-54, which requires that all instances of what
he or she believes may be academic misconduct" be reported to the University Academic Misconduct
Committee. Academic misconduct is a serious threat to the integrity and value of your diploma. The main
concern for this class is cheating on exams. You will not be allowed to, at any time during an exam, have
a calculator, memory stick, jump drive, cell phone, etc. out of your bag. Doing so is a violation of course
policy and may be referred to academic integrity. PLEASE, dont do it!
Disability Accommodation: If you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, arrange
an appointment with me as soon as possible. I rely on the Office for Disability Services for assistance in
verifying need and developing accommodation strategies. You should start the verification process as soon
as possible. Accommodation requests made too close to the exam may possibly not be granted.
Inclement Weather: If school is open, class will be held. If school is closed, class will be cancelled. Use
your judgment on whether you choose to attend if school is open but the weather makes travel
problematic for you.
Date
Day
26-Aug
31-Aug
Mon
2-Sep
7-Sep
4
9-Sep
Topic
READINGS
Describing Data
1
2-3
4.1-4.3
14-Sep
5.1-5.3
16-Sep
5.4-5.5
21-Sep
Mon
23-Sep
28-Sep
10
30-Sep
11
5-Oct
Mon
12
7-Oct
13
12-Oct
Mon
14-Oct
14
19-Oct
Mon
15
21-Oct
16
26-Oct
Mon
Hypothesis Testing
17
28-Oct
Mon
Hypothesis Testing
18
2-Nov
19
4-Nov
Wed Regression
10.1-10.5
20
9-Nov
Mon
11.1-11.3,
11.9
11-Nov
21
16-Nov
Mon
22
18-Nov
Wed Regression
23
23-Nov
Mon
25-Nov
24
30-Nov
Mon
25
2-Dec
Wed Regression
26
7-Dec
Mon
27
9-Dec
Wed Regression
11-Dec
Fri
4.4
Binomial Distribution
7
8.1-8.3
8.5; 8.7-8.9
9.1-9.3
9.4
9.5-9.7
Regression
Regression
10.6-10.8
Regression
11.4-11.8
Regression
Regression
EXAM 3 Chapters 10,11
4