Research Methods

1. Course Description

Statistical technique has become of great importance in wide areas of social sciences such as
business and economics as well as political science and sociology. Decision makers in firms and
government organizations are more likely to make decisions anchored in quantitative and qualitative
analysis of data.
Statistics can be described as the collection, summarization, analysis, and reporting of
numerical findings relevant to a decision or situation. Given the great diversity of social science,
statistics can be applied to various kinds of social situations. Regardless of eventual career paths,
knowledge of statistical techniques in this course will offer a great advantage to students making
critical decisions and resolving problems in the relevant fields.
There are two major goals in this course: 1) explain statistical methods used in business, 2)
draw case material from real-world situations in order to demonstrate the practical applications of
those methods.

2. Required Textbooks

Ronald M. Weiers, Introductory Business Statistics, Thomson South-Western, 7th Edition, 2008

3. Assessments and Grading

Grades will depend upon student's ability to carry out two assignments. There will be an exam on
the topics covered in this course at the end of the term. In addition, there will be a class presentation
along with a discussion, which should have a similar quality to the papers on the related topic of the
student's choice.
Evaluation:

Final Examination 60%

Class Presentation and Discussion 40%

4. Topics and Reading Assignments

<March>

Week 1 Ch1
A Preview of Business Statistics

Week 2 Ch2 & Ch3

Visual Description of Data
Statistical Description of Data

Week 3 Ch4 & Ch5

Data Collection and Sampling Methods
Probability: Review of Basic Concept

Week4 Ch6 & Ch7

Discrete Probability Distribution
Continuous Probability Distribution

<April>

Week 5 Ch8 & Ch9

Sampling Distribution
Estimation from Sample Data
Week 6 Ch10 & Ch11
Hypothesis Tests Involving a Sample Mean or Proportion
Hypothesis Tests Involving Two Sample Means or Proportions

Week 7
Analysis of Variance Tests Ch12 & Ch13
Chi-Square Applications

Week 8
Mid-Term Examination

<May>

Week 9 Ch14 & Ch15

Non-parametric Methods
Simple Linear Regression and Correlation

Week 10
National Holiday

Week 11 Ch12 & Ch13

Analysis of Variance Tests
Chi-Square Applications

Week 12 Ch14 & Ch15

Non-parametric Methods
Simple Linear Regression and Correlation

Week 13 Ch16 & Ch17

Multiple Regression and Correlation
Model Building
<June>
Week 14 Ch18
Models for Time Series and Forecasting

Week 15
Final Examination

Week 16
Student Presentation