Man in the Arena "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt "Citizenship in a Republic," Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910 1 CLASS: MEETINGS: INSTRUCTOR: OFFICE: EMAIL: HOURS: TEXT: CALCULATOR: MIS 301——Statistical Analysis for Business, Fall 2015 TTH 9:30 – 10:45, EBA-348 Kelly Shaul, JD, MSBA SSE 2428 kshaul@mail.sdsu.edu TTH 11:00 – 13:30, TH 17:00 – 18:30, and by appointment Business Analytics & Statistical Methods by James Beatty HP-17B-II+ COURSE PURPOSE: Data, variation, and chance are not only inevitable in markets and industry, but they are prevalent. Consequently, companies require statistically literate executives. The purpose of this course is to help students understand data, variation, and chance, so they might be successful leaders in the business world. BSBA Program Goals: BSBA students will graduate being: • • • • • Effective Communicators Critical Thinkers Able to Analyze Ethical Problems Global in their perspective Knowledgeable about the essentials of business MIS 301 contributes to these goals through its student learning outcomes. At the end of this course students should be able to: • • • • • • • Use data from a sample to make inferences about a population. Apply probability theory in decision making situations. Formulate hypotheses for decision making and research. Analyze data using appropriate statistical techniques. Interpret the results of statistical analysis. Present statistical results using graphics, text, and the spoken word. Use data analytic software to create visualizations and summary reports of data. SCOPE & LIMITS: Through the use of real business examples, textbook problems, and computer projects this course will assist students in: • • • • • • • Recognizing business areas where statistics have an impact Evaluating variation in data-loaded business events Understanding various statistical tools and testing methods Testing and analyzing of data using computer software Understanding and using statistical terminology Bridging statistics to other business courses and practices Appreciating business improvement through statistical methods 2 COURSE METHODOLOGY: Assigned instructional time will be comprised of lectures, problem sets, and testing. Lectures will track designated text readings either directly or indirectly through the use of business examples taken from recent events. Questions and comments are welcomed and encouraged. ASSIGNMENTS: Prior to each exam students will be assigned a Stat Pack. Said assignments are computer based and are intended supplement and broaden one’s understanding of the statistical concepts covered in class. Each is self-contained, that is, it will include the facts, data, and step-by-step instructions to complete the assignment. TESTS: Tests are multiple choice, with four answer stems (A-B-C-D). You will have about 90 seconds per question. Tests are NOT cumulative; however, some fundamental concepts carry over into latter material. I expect you to take your exams when scheduled. If you have a valid reason for needing to reschedule an exam speak with me in person at the earliest possible time you learn of the conflict and I will try to accommodate you. There are no make-up exams. You must take the Final (Test 3) during your assigned time, unless you have a compelling unforeseeable emergency. So check the Final Schedule before making any plans. The Final date and time is posted on the SDSU website: www.sdsu.edu, Academic Calendar, Final Exam Schedule. GRADING: Students will receive a final letter grade based upon the University’s grading scale: A, A-, B+, B, B-, etc. (C = 72%+) There will be a total of 6 graded events. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Graded Event Stat Pack 1 Test 1 Stat Pack 2 Test 2 Stat Pack 3 Test 3 (Final) Total Percent of Total Grade 2% 25% 3% 30% 5% 35% 100% If you complete all 3 Stat Packs —— on time and for the full points —— I will add 2 bonus points to your OVERALL grade. Test 3 is the Final and will be given during the two-hour Universityassigned period. The Final date and time can be found at www.sdsu.edu, Academic Calendar, by clicking on the Final Exam Schedule tab. 3 POLICY ISSUES: Attendance: I expect you to attend class. If you do not attend class regularly you place yourself in jeopardy of losing any and all possible bonus points. Class Preparation: Reading assignments will be given each week for the upcoming week. As with most worthwhile endeavors, your success in this class will greatly depend on your preparation. Read assigned material prior to class. Class Participation: I expect you to participate: raise questions, provide answers, and add insight and/or humor. Textbook: There are 2 copies of the text on reserve in the Reserve Room of the library. They are provided for the use of all students, so use a copier machine/photo shot and not an X-acto knife! Answers to end-of-the-chapter questions are located in Appendix A. Blackboard: A copy of this syllabus is posted on Blackboard in the designated area. Chapter readings will be posted on the announcement page and Stat Packs will be available for download at appropriate times. Feel free to use the student discussion board to post course related questions to your colleagues and to keep up with material you might have missed. Stat Pack scores and test grades, except for your final exam grade, will be posted on Blackboard. Your final overall class grade will be posted on webgrades. Academic Dishonesty: Executive Order 969, issued by the Office of the Chancellor, compels me to report any incident of academic dishonesty. While academic dishonesty includes cheating and plagiarism as would be expected, it is much broader and includes “other forms of academic dishonesty intended to gain unfair academic advantage.” If you are caught cheating you will receive an F and be recommended for expulsion from the College of Business. HELPFUL HINTS: In no particular order, the following is offered with the aim of ensuring your success in this class: • • • • • • • • • • • A good set of notes will go a long way. Review your class notes regularly. Keep up with the reading. Quickly become comfortable with your calculator. Come to class prepared. Be an active learner. Make friends with a class colleague. Understand that this is not a math course. My office hours are your office hours. See me at the first sign of doubt and/or trouble. Enjoy the process as much as or more than the end goal than the end goal. 4 Schedule Month August September September September September September October October October October November November November November November December December Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 TUESDAY Introduction Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Review Chapter 7 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Stat Pack 2 Review Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 15 Stat Pack 3 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Finals THRURSDAY Chapter 1 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 6 Test 1 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 14 Test 2 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 15 Thanksgiving Chapter 16 Chapter 18 Week Philosophy of Teaching and Learning: Teaching does not stand apart from learning. Neither is a distinct activity. Teaching and learning are like the leading edges of a knife, and as we hone the blade of teaching/learning -- in the asking and answering, thinking and rethinking, and evaluating and re-evaluating -- we sharpen our knowledge, and in turn our very essence. To do so we must be actively involved. We must be willing to ask questions and volunteer answers. We must be willing to have our thinking challenged and re-challenged as we analyze, evaluate, and respond. Such a process requires us to be responsible to ourselves and for each other. Engaged in this manner, we can become creative and critical thinkers, articulate and persuasive speakers, and fair and just human beings. Therein lies the quintessence of teaching/learning: discovering within ourselves the force and means in which to enrich your lives and in turn the lives of others. Consequently, from within the four walls of this classroom I hope you will grasp not only the statistical content of the course, but, perhaps in some small way, the unique opportunity you are in the midst of creating. A FINAL NOTE: Instructor retains all rights to modify any or all portions of the syllabus without notice. 5