MGMT2304
Introduction to Business Analytics Course
Data Analytics Group Research Assignment
RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT: SUNCRAFT ANALYTICS RESEARCH CORPORATOPN
Introduction
Assume that you work in a company specialized in Analytics Research, engaged in descriptive,
predictive and prescriptive analytics. “Business analytics is the use of data, information
technology, statistical analysis, quantitative methods, and mathematical or computer-based
models to help managers gain improved insight about their business operations and make better,
fact-based decisions. Business analytics is a process of transforming data into actions through
analysis and insights in the context of organizational decision making and problem solving.”
(Evans, 2017, p. 4).
You work as chief analyst in your company, and you’re tasked to contact different clients in your
area of operation to identify their needs and make a presentation to your audience about
examples of how they use Analytics in their organization.
Note that as a group you should contact real clients and inquire how they use analytics in their
business and make a presentation about your research.
Note that you need approval from the company’s management (in writing) to submit and
present your interview findings.
Groups must include a copy of the client approval in the appendix for the presentation
slides.
Note that you should introduce your client’s type of business (if client prefers, they can stay
anonymous) as part of the presentation and identify how/when you communicated with the
client and what you learned about “how they use analytics in their business”.
The criteria for the selected client is that it should have more than two employees.
NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM THE CLIENTS BY GROUPS ARE
CONFIDENTIAL AND SHOULD NOT BE SHARED ANYWHERE.
YOU SHOULD INFORM THE CLIENTS THAT YOU WILL USE YOUR FINDINGS FOR
ASSIGNMENT PRSENTATION IN CLASS.
Purpose
The objective of this research assignment is for students to:
•
Conduct research by directly contacting clients and identify how they use analytics in
their organization (with real examples that the company uses) and identify what impact
the use of analytics has had in that organization.
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MGMT2304
Introduction to Business Analytics Course
Data Analytics Group Research Assignment
Research Methodology
Groups should find a “real” client and conduct interview with the client.
Method and timing of communication with the client must be described in the presentation and
Groups must describe what impact they experienced as a result of this interaction with real
client and what they learned about this business and how using analytics impact decision making
and performance in that organization.
Required Content
This is a group research assignment and the final deliverables for the group assignment include:
1. A visual aid (to be uploaded in the D2L Dropbox): Formative assessment
2. An APPENDIX to the visual aid to describe the role each team member played in
the research process, as well as rating of the group members’ performance by peers
and the quality of their contribution (to be uploaded in the D2L Dropbox):
Formative evaluation
3. Group presentations (live presentations in class recorded via MS Teams)
Note: One submission is required for each group in D2L Dropbox.
General Requirements
ALL group members MUST be effectively engaged in the research process and the critical
thinking. The instructor may decide randomly to conduct an interview with any of the group
members to evaluate their contribution and understanding of the research dynamics.
As part of the Appendix, each group member MUST include a peer review for his/her group
members and identify their level of engagement in the research and deliverables, work ethics,
participation in the group meetings, and quality of collaboration/communication with the other
team members.
Any concern about the group member(s) participation, engagement, and quality of work must be
addressed immediately internally by referring to the Group Charter. If the internal discussion did
not result in improvement, the concern MUST be immediately escalated to the instructor in
writing (via D2L email). Note that it is important for the group members to keep evidence of
delinquency to present if they need to escalate their concerns to the instructor.
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MGMT2304
Introduction to Business Analytics Course
Data Analytics Group Research Assignment
All groups MUST have at least 2 recorded MS Teams meetings in the Students Chat Room to
ensure alignment (invite the instructor in the meeting so that the instructor can access the
recording).
General Guidelines
During week 5, groups must post their plan for execution of the research assignment in the
Group Chat for their team in the MS Teams > General channel > Files. The Group Number
MUST be included in the File Name (e.g., GROUP 1 PLAN FOR EXECUTION OF
RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT).
During week 6, groups must have a recorded MS Teams meeting to discuss their research
project.
During week 7, groups must have a recorded MS Teams meeting to discuss their research
project.
During week 8, groups must share their draft visual aid for the group review and provide
feedback on the OVERALL visual aid. Note that it is not acceptable for each member to just
provide their section and patch it to the overall visual aid. ALL group members are responsible
to review the WHOLE visual aid and provide feedback.
During week 8, groups MUST practice their presentation and post a recording of their practice in
MS Teams under their Group Chat (Instructor must be invited to the Chat so that she can access
the recording of the practice meeting).
Visual Aid Table of Content
The research visual aid should include, as a minimum, the following sections:
-
Introduction
In this section, introduce your client, their business and how they use analytics (real examples
should be included).
-
Key Research Findings
In this section describe how analytics is used for decision making and performance improvement
in this company.
Describe (in as much detail as possible) examples of application of analytics in the organization
(what and how).
-
APPENDIX
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MGMT2304
Introduction to Business Analytics Course
Data Analytics Group Research Assignment
In this section, each group member MUST include a peer review for his/her group members and
identify their level of engagement in the research and deliverables, work ethics, participation in
the group meetings, and quality of the collaboration/communication with the other team
members.
Submission Instructions
Post your assignment deliverable (Visual Aid and its APPENDIX) in the D2L Dropbox.
File name must be in the format of GROUP#_ASSIGNMENT (e.g. GROUP1_ASSIGNMENT).
Format
All visual aids for the assignments must have a cover page, including students name, students ID,
course number, project title, name of the instructor, and submission date. The deliverable (the
power point file) must be submitted prior to the due date as per the schedule in the course
offering.
Citations
All references must be cited using APA style citation as described below:
-
The last slide(s) is “References”, which includes full citation
Each slide includes in text citation at the bottom of the slide
You can refer to the following link to refresh your memory about APA citation style:
The Bow Valley College Guide to APA Style (Citations, Referencing, and much more).
Academic Honesty
Ensure you are aware of the College Policies on Academic Honesty and also Plagiarism.
Academic dishonesty and plagiarism are taken very seriously at the College even if the
dishonesty or plagiarism is unintentional. Please also know that taking credit for work you did
not contribute to as it is also considered Academic Dishonesty and will be reported.
Ensure you have read the Chiu School of Business Learner Handbook for more information
about the Academic Honesty Policy. If you have any questions, contact your instructor.
Turnitin
This assignment will be submitted to Turnitin. Turnitin is a web-based service that checks the
assignment against its database of materials that contain other learner's work as well as electronic
academic materials.
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MGMT2304
Introduction to Business Analytics Course
Data Analytics Group Research Assignment
Learners find the Turnitin report useful for editing papers. The report will include incorrect use
of referencing, too many quotes, and paraphrases. If the Turnitin report, for your first draft,
shows a high percentage of matching text, this will give you an opportunity to review and edit
your assignment for proper citations and more original analysis. Once you make your edits, it is
possible to submit your work to Turnitin again. Turnitin will know not to match the text in your
second draft with text in your first draft, and so on. It is advisable to wait at least 24 hours before
you submit the second draft.
Faculty find Turnitin useful as a tool to teach learners proper citation practices and highlight the
need for more learner originality. Faculty can also use Turnitin as a tool to detect possible
instances of plagiarism and academic dishonesty.
Academic dishonesty can lead to a zero for this. Ensure you have read the Chiu School of
Business Learner Handbook for more information about the Academic Honesty Policy. If you
have any questions, contact your instructor.
Resources:
The Bow Valley College Guide to APA Style (Citations, Referencing, and much more).
Reference:
Evans, J. R. (2017). Business analytics. Pearson.
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