Research Methods
Spring, 2014
Professor: Jeong Hun Oh, Ph.D.
Office: #214, International Study Hall, GSIS Bldg., Korea University
Telephone: 3290-1274
Fax: 929-0402
e-mail: ojh@korea.ac.kr
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
Discrete Probability Distribution
Continuous Probability Distribution
Ch6 & Ch7
Week 5
Ch8 & Ch9
Sampling Distribution
Estimation from Sample Data
<April>
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
Week 9
Ch14 & Ch15
Non-parametric Methods
Simple Linear Regression and Correlation
<May>
Week 10
National Holiday
Week 11
Ch12 & Ch13
Analysis of Variance Tests
Chi-Square Applications
Week 12
Non-parametric Methods
Simple Linear Regression and Correlation
Ch14 & Ch15
Week 13
Ch16 & Ch17
Multiple Regression and Correlation
Model Building
<June>
Week 14
Models for Time Series and Forecasting
Week 15
Final Examination
Week 16
Student Presentation
Ch18