GB 311 125 Business Statistics
Spring 2013
Online Section
June 4, 2013 – July 26, 2013
Instructor: Dr. Ray Mooring
Phone: Contact me via the Blackboard Interface. For emergencies ONLY, call 404-803-7585.
Email: Contact me via the Blackboard Mail System
Office Hours: I will be available through the Blackboard Classroom at least 5 days per week. I will answer all
questions within 24-36 hours of the posting time.
Access to the Blackboard classroom is at: https://tamuct.blackboard.com
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1.0
Course Overview and description: Business Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, and
summarizing data to provide information, stated in numerical form, for the purpose of making objective
business decisions. Descriptive statistics will be the focus of the course with an abbreviated introduction to
inferential statistics. Topics include the foundations of statistical methods of sampling, classifying, analyzing,
and presenting numerical data; frequency and sampling distributions, averages, dispersion, hypothesis
testing, and analyzing up to two populations and population proportions. The course will employ the use of
an online statistics learning system for problem assignments, in conjunction with the text and lectures, in
completing course coverage of each statistics topic. Prerequisite: Junior Classification.
2.0
Course Objective: The student will understand the foundations of statistics, by creating and
interpreting basic statistical graphs and charts, calculating and interpreting measures of central tendency and
variation (Module 1), basic probability, probability distributions (Module 2), and conducting and interpreting
hypothesis tests (Module 3). Additionally the student will be able to apply the statistical foundations in
beginning inferential statistics, which include comparing two populations or more populations, comparing
two population proportions, comparing two variables or treatments for a single population, and relating two
variables (Modules 3 and 4). The student will meet the course objective and the following student learning
outcomes by using the statistical learning software, Hawkes Learning System (HLS), and by using Microsoft
Excel. The purpose of HLS is to provide each student with an online learning environment in which the
student is able to learn, master, and apply knowledge while working within a mastery based pedagogical
approach (Hawkes Learning Systems, n.d.). A link to the HLS student training video is available in the main
menu, in the Blackboard classroom. Additionally, recorded MS Excel tutorials are available on the main
Learning Module page, in the Blackboard classroom. Each student will demonstrate mastery of each topic by
achieving 80% on each assignment and each exam, as outlined in each module.
1
2.1
Competency Goals Statements (certification or standards)
2.11 Module 1: Conduct and apply the statistical foundations (data, populations, samples, central
tendency, measures of variation, and basic probability concepts), using statistical learning software,
Microsoft Excel, and calculators, achieving 80% on each homework assignment and each exam. The specific
statistical foundations are found in SLOs: 2.21 – 2.232, 2.241 and may be found in sections 1.1 – 1.3, 2.1 –
2.6, 3a – 3d, 4.1 – 4.3a and 4.3b and 4.5-4.10, and 6.1 – 6.12a of the text book and in the Hawkes Learning
Software (Ch 1 – 6).
2.12 Module 2: Conduct and interpret statistical methods for discrete and continuous probability
distributions, sampling distributions, and estimating means and proportions, using statistical learning
software, Microsoft Excel, and calculators, achieving 80% on each homework assignment and each exam.
The specific distributions and estimations are found in SLOs: 2.242 – 2.244, 2.151 and may be found in 7.1 –
7.4 and 7.7, 8.3a, b and 8.4 a, b, and 9.1, 9.6, and 9.7 of the text book and in the Hawkes Learning Software
(Ch 7 – 9).
2.13 Module 3: Conduct and interpret statistical methods of hypothesis testing for comparing means,
proportions, and treatments, using statistical learning software, Microsoft Excel, and calculators, achieving
80% on each homework assignment and each exam. The specific hypothesis methods and comparisons may
be found in SLOs: 2.252 – 2.262 and may be found in 10.1 – 10.9, 11.1, 11.2, 11.4a, b, c, and 12.1a, b, 12.2,
12.3 a , b, 12.4, 12.5 of the text book and in the Hawkes Learning Software (Ch 10 – 12).
2.14 Module 4: Conduct and interpret statistical methods of hypothesis testing for comparing three or
more means, or treatments (ANOVA). Conduct correlations of two variables or treatments, and relate two
linear variables. Test the fit of multinomial probabilities and relate two categorical variables. Achieve 80% on
each homework assignment and each exam, using statistical learning software, Microsoft Excel, and
calculators. The specific methods of testing and comparing three or more populations, correlating, relating
continuous and categorical variables may be found in SLOs: 2.271 – 2.282 and may be found in 5.2 – 5.9, 13.2
– 13.4, 13.8a, b, 14.2, 14.4, and 15.2, 15.3 of the text book and in the Hawkes Learning Software (Ch 5, 13,
14, 15).
2.2
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
2.21 Demonstrate proficiency in reporting data numerically and graphically by achieving 80% on
associated assignments and exams (Chapters 1 – 3).
2.22 Demonstrate proficiency in identifying and analyzing the following types and levels of data using
appropriate statistical methods by achieving 80% on associated assignments and exams (Chapters 1 – 2).
2.221 Identify and analyze qualitative (nominal, ordinal) data using appropriate statistical methods.
2.222 Identify and analyze quantitative (continuous, discrete, interval, ratio) data using appropriate
statistical methods.
2.23 Demonstrate proficiency in calculating the following descriptive statistics by achieving 80% on
associated assignments and exams (Chapter 4).
2.231 Identify and calculate descriptive statistics based on measures of central tendency
2.232 Identify and calculate descriptive statistics based on measures of variation
2.24 Demonstrate proficiency in analyzing discrete and continuous probability distributions by achieving
80% on associated assignments and exams (Chapters 6 – 8).
2.241 Identify the properties of probabilities and calculate probabilities using the concepts of probability, in
particular, sets and complements, addition rules, mutual exclusivity, multiplication of dependent and
2
independent probabilities, conditional probabilities, and basic counting rules (including permutations and
combinations).
2.242 Calculate probabilities within binomial distributions, uniform distributions, normal distributions and
chi-square distributions.
2.243 Calculate probabilities for non-normal distributions using Chebyshev’s Theorem
2.244 Calculate probabilities using the Empirical Formula and the Central Limit theorem
2.25 Demonstrate understanding and proficiency in calculating confidence intervals, conducting
hypothesis tests, and calculating p-values by achieving 80% on associated assignments and exams
(Chapters 9 – 10).
2.251 Calculate confidence intervals when the population standard deviation is known/unknown and for
proportions
2.252 Conduct hypothesis testing when the population standard deviation is known/unknown and for
proportions
2.253 Calculate p-values for all hypothesis tests
2.26 Demonstrate proficiency in calculating inferential statistics (one or two populations) by achieving
80% on associated assignments and exams (Chapters 11 – 12).
2.261 Compare means or proportions of two populations
2.262 Compare means of two treatments within one population
2.27 Demonstrate proficiency in calculating inferential statistics (three or more populations and
relationships) by achieving 80% on associated assignments and exams (Chapters 5, 13, 14).
2.271 Compare means of three or more populations using analysis of variance (ANOVA)
2.272 Correlate two variables or treatments using Pearson’s Product Correlation
2.273 Relate two variables or treatments using simple linear regression
2.28 Demonstrate proficiency in calculating inferential statistics (relationships of categorical variables)
by achieving 80% on associated assignments and exams (Chapter 15).
2.281 Test the fit of multinomial probabilities with categorical data (goodness of fit).
2.282 Test the relationship of two or more categorical variables (tests of independence).
2.3. Meeting the Course Objective and Student Learning Outcomes. In meeting the course objective and
learning outcomes, students must first familiarize themselves with the Hawkes Learning System. Select the
student training link and listen to the presentation. Additionally, become familiar with Excel and the Excel
tools provided in the Calculation Aids folder on the main Learning Module page. Next, select and preview the
presentations for the lecture and then listen to the recorded lecture. Use the textbook as an additional
reference for your understanding of the material presented in the lectures. Listen to any appropriate
assignment specific tutorial or Question and Answer, then complete the homework assignments. In
completing the homework assignments follow the instructions given in paragraph 4.4.1. of this syllabus.
3.0
Required Textbook and software:
3.1
Text: Hawkes, J. S. & Marsh, W. H. (2005). Discovering Statistics (2nd ed.). Charleston, SC: Hawkes
Learning Systems. ISBN: 978-0-918091-84-0
NOTE: A student of this institution is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from a universityaffiliated bookstore. If you choose to use other sources to purchase the textbook, you must access
www.hawkeslearning.com/store and purchase a separate student access code for your use during this
course. Purchasing the text book and software package from either the university bookstore or from
3
Hawkes Learning System will ensure you have the most current software. Post Script: If you purchase the
textbook from the university bookstore, please download the software from the Hawkes Learning
website. As of May 2012, HLS updated the software package.
3.2
Hand held calculator. It must have square root key in addition to the basic functions of addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division – at a minimum.
3.3
Access to a computer with Microsoft EXCEL (you will use MS Excel).
3.4
Access to the internet and ability to upload and download Hawkes Learning System homework,
quizzes, and exams (It is your responsibility to ensure you have constant access to the internet – this is an
online course).
4.0
Course Requirements and Structure:
4.1
Online Course: This course is completely online and will be conducted in an asynchronous mode. The
asynchronous mode does not require the students or the instructor to be online at any specified day or time.
Daily work (including listening to the recorded lectures) is completed by the student according to the weekly
schedule in this syllabus, but at a time that is convenient to the student. This mode does require the
instructor to be available (online), at least 5 days a week, to answer questions. Students are responsible for
ensuring constant access to the Internet and operability of their personal computers.
4.2
Course Classroom: The classroom will be in Blackboard under this course’s name and section
number. Access to Blackboard is through https://tamuct.blackboard.com/. Please refer all technical
problems to the Blackboard help desk; contact information is on the Blackboard login page.
4.2.1 Blackboard Course Navigation: Please read the “Start Here” letter (in the Blackboard classroom) and
become familiar with the online classroom environment.
4.3
Class Discussions: Select Discussions from the menu found on the left side of the Blackboard class
home page. All discussions and questions will be placed in their respective topics for ease of understanding
by all class members and the instructor. All entries are threaded so that you may easily see a question and
the respective responses to that question. All class members are invited to fully participate in the
discussions, assisting their class members when they are able. This means class members may answers
questions if they know the answers. Please note discussions are not required as part of your grade but are
highly encouraged for better understanding and clarification of the theory and in conducting calculations of
specified problems within Hawkes Learning System. The instructor will always read each question and the
respective answers to ensure correctness and accuracy. If the instructor is unable to effectively answer the
question in the threaded discussions groups, the instructor may provide a recorded answer (similar to the
recorded lectures) and post that recorded answer in the Recorded Q&A folder on the main Learning Module
webpage, in Blackboard.
4.4
Weekly Discussion Questions: Select the Discussion Questions (DQ) thread and answer one of the
given weekly questions. Responses must be, at a minimum, between 100 and 250 words, and the use of two
references (one may be the text book) is required as support for your response. To respond, highlight the
appropriate thread, click on Reply, type your response, and send. Please do not start a new thread in the
weekly discussion questions forum. The weekly DQs will be graded as outlined the Grading Scale paragraph
(para 5.2) and the grading rubric at the appendix. Do not just copy information from your reference. This is
called plagiarism and defeats the purpose of the assignment. You must paraphrase/re-state your findings.
DQs will be due by 11:59 pm each Sunday evening. To reiterate, you may not “cut and paste” response
from internet sources. Any form of plagiarism is against the Warrior code of ethics and could be a cause of
failure of the course, to expulsion from the university.
4
4.5
Lectures: All lectures are pre-recorded and can be found in the respective Module folder on the
homepage of the Blackboard classroom. It is recommended you use either an external speaker system or a
headset to listen to the lectures. All associated presentations are in Portable Document Format (.pdf) and
are also located in the respective Module folder on the homepage of the Blackboard classroom. Ensure you
listen to the lectures according to the schedule at the end of this syllabus. The schedule is the minimum
requirement; there is no penalty for working ahead. However, exams will be provided according to the
schedule. In the respective Module, select the link for the recorded lecture. The lecture will automatically
play.
4.6
Individual Participation: To ensure successful course completion, participation is expected.
Participation is defined as actual work conducted in the HLS learning environment and in discussion threads
in the Blackboard classroom. Listening to lectures is required and will be in accordance with this syllabus. It is
important for students to become familiar with HLS. With the exception of the pre and post-test, all work,
quizzes, and exams will be conducted in HLS. Lectures are based on given sections within the text.
4.7
Access to Hawkes Learning System (HLS): Upload the software provided in the text book package as
directed in the software instructions (or download from HLS website), then, enter the program using the
access code provided with your text book package. Hawkes Course ID for business statistics is
TAMUCTBSTAT. The first time you log into the system you will need to enter the access code, select “Load
from File,” and then select the appropriate instructor and course. After the first login, you will only need to
enter your access code. Please save the access code on your hard drive and on a flash “thumb” drive, if you
intend to use more than one computer. If you choose not to purchase a textbook, you will need to
purchase the access code from the HLS website.
Note: In the HLS website, the software/textbook you need to choose is DISCOVERING STATISTCS.
DO NOT choose Discovering Business Statistics. That is a separate (different) course.
Note: HLS is designed to be used both online and offline. However, students are responsible to have full
internet access throughout this course, to ensure they are able to upload or download homework, quizzes,
and exams.
4.8
Assignments: All assignments and exams will be accomplished through the Hawkes Learning System.
HLS is a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. There will not be any “traditional”
homework assignments, as each student will be required to complete work on the HLS system. In addition to
exams students will be graded on the progress made through each chapter, in HLS. See Grade Computation
below. Late assignments will be reduced 20% for each day they are late. Feel free to work ahead in the
chapter reviews. All of the chapter review assignments will be open on the first day of class.
4.8.1 Chapter Reviews: The graded portions of the homework assignments will be the chapter review for
each of the chapters (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 5, 14, 13, and 15). There is only one section in
Chapter 1 and 14; therefore, there is not a chapter review – you will work that one section (in chapter 1 and
14 only). Students are advised to work through the practice problems within the chapter review section of
each required chapter, prior to certifying in the chapter. NOTE: When certifying, ensure you are in the
chapter review portion of the HLS chapter; otherwise the work completed will not count for completion
credit. Homework feedback is provided automatically when completing the chapter review for a grade (also
known as certifying). Students will be given a minimum of “3 strikes”. This means the student may miss up to
5
three questions, before being sent back to practice. If the student is sent back to practice, the program will
automatically go to the area in which the student is having problems. If the student successfully completes
the certifying chapter review, the student will receive a certificate of completion, which the student must
save. If the student is online when certifying the grade book will be automatically updated. If the student is
not online when certifying, then the student must manually upload the certificate into HLS (please see the
student training video).
4.9
Exams: There will be four objective exams administered during the semester as indicated on the
course calendar. Exams represent the independent work of students. Further, no exam may be taken more
than one time in an effort to improve the score achieved. If an exam is taken more than once, the grade on
the latest attempt will be used in the calculation of your grade. With the exception of emergencies, any
exam not made up within one week after the scheduled date, will be scored as a zero. All exams will be HLS
based and will be completed online. Each exam will be scheduled on the first Sunday evening after a section
has been completed. All students will be given 2 hours to complete 15-20 problems. Each exam will open at
4:00 p.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. CST on the scheduled exam date. All exams must be taken to pass the
course. HLS provides immediate feedback, upon completion of the exam. Reenter the exam to see the
problems missed and a correct method of answering the problems.
4.9.1 Pre & Post Tests: Each student will complete the pre-test during the first week of class, and the posttest during the last week of class. These tests are comprehensive and are designed to measure the
knowledge obtained, concerning the SLOs and Objectives. These tests are not graded; however, students are
required to take both tests. Points are awarded based on the performance on the post-test only.
Post-Test Score (%)
90% (or better)
80% (or better)
70% (or better)
60% (or better)
0% - 59%
Points
111
83
55
27
0
Do not guess on any question on either test. If you do not know the answer, leave the answer blank. The pretest and post-test will be taken via Blackboard (these will be the ONLY tests taken in Blackboard). When you
are ready to take the pre-test or post-test, log-in to the Blackboard classroom, select Exams from the link on
the left-side menu, then select the appropriate exam. You will be given three hours with which to take the
exams and they must be completed in a single sitting (you should not need three hours).
NOTE: You will fail this course if you attempt to only take the exams and not complete the required online
homework assignments.
4.10 Instructor Access: The instructor will be available online a minimum of 5 days a week and will answer
all questions, either in the messages or discussions forums, within 24-36 hours of the question’s posting
date. Feedback for assignments and exams will be as written in paragraphs 4.8 and 4.9.
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5.0
Grading Criteria
5.1
Grade Computation: Students earn their course grades by completing scheduled assignments; no
extra credit assignments are given. To pass this course satisfactorily, students must complete each of the
graded items listed below. Failure to complete appropriate assignments and exams may result in a failing
grade. Refusal to complete homework assignments will result in a failing grade.
5.2
Grading Scale:
Total Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Points
900 – 1,000 points
800 – 899 points
700 - 799 points
600 – 699 points
599 points & below
Final grades will be calculated as follows:
4 Exams (115 points each)
15 Homework Assignments:
Chapter Reviews (19 points each)
Weekly DQs (18 points each)
Post-Test (Comprehensive)
(111 Points)
TOTAL
Points
460
285
Percentage
46%
28.5%
144
111
14.4%
11.1%
1,000
100%
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6.0
Course Calendar
COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS
WK
Class/Activity
1
Intro
04-09 June
Lecture 1 (Ch 1.1 1.3, 2.5 – 2.8)
Lecture 2 (Ch 3)
2
10-16 June
3
17- 23 June
4
24-30 June
5
01-07 July
6
08-14 July
7
15 – 21 July
8
22-26 July
Lecture 3 (Ch 4.1 –
4.3)
Lecture 4 (Ch 4.4 –
4.10)
Lecture 5 (Ch 6.1,
6.2, 6.4, 6.6, 6.12)
Lecture 6 (Ch 6.9)
Lecture 7 (Ch 6.10,
6.11) Lecture 8 (Ch
7.1 -7.4)
Lecture 9 (Ch 7.7)
Exam 1
Subject
Introduction to HLS and syllabus
Statistics, Data Reality, and Problem Solving
Organizing, Displaying, and Interpreting
Data
(Competency Goal: 2.21)
Describing Data from One Variable
Homework / Quiz / Exam Due Dates
Pre-Test (Comprehensive)
( 04-09 Jun)
Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3 Reviews (15 Jun)
Describing Data from One Variable
Probability, Randomness, and Uncertainty
(Competency Goal: 2.21)
Probability, Randomness, and Uncertainty
Probability Distributions, Information about
the Future
Ch 4, Ch 6 Reviews (22 Jun)
Exam 1 (23 Jun)
Exam (Lectures 1 – 7)
(Competency Goal: 2.21)
Lecture 11 (Ch 8.2 –
8.4)
Lecture 12 (Ch 9.1 –
9.9)
Continuous Random Variables
Ch 7, Ch 8 Reviews (29 Jun)
Lecture 13 (Ch 10.4,
10.5)
Lecture 14 (Ch 10.6 –
10.9)
Lecture 15 (Ch 11.1 –
11.5)
Lecture 16 (Ch 11.4,
12.1)
Exam 2
Lecture 18 (Ch 12.3)
Lecture 19 (Ch 12.3)
Lecture 20 (Ch 12.4)
Lecture 21 (Ch 12.5)
Exam 3
Lecture 22 (Ch 14)
Lecture 23 (Ch 5)
Lecture 24 (Ch 13)
Lecture 25 (Ch 15)
Estimating Means and Proportions
Additional Topics with Hypothesis Testing
(Competency Goal: 2.23)
Exam (Lectures 13 – 21)
ANOVA
Correlation
Simple Linear Regression
Chi-Square
(Competency Goal: 2.24)
Ch 14, Ch 5, Ch 13, Ch 15 Reviews
(20 Jul)
Exam 4
Post-Test
Exam 4
(Lectures 22 – 25; (Chs 5, 13, 14, 15))
Final Exams
EXAM 4 (23-24 Jul)
Post-Test (22-26 Jul)
Sampling and Sampling Distributions
(Competency Goal: 2.22)
Ch 9, Ch 10 Review (06 Jul)
Exam 2 (07 Jul)
Introduction to Hypothesis Testing
(Competency Goal: 2.22)
Exam (Lectures 8 – 12)
Introduction to Hypothesis Testing
Ch 11, Ch 12 Reviews (13 Jul)
Exam 3 (14 Jul)
8
7.0
Drop Policy: If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and
ask for the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the responsibility of the
student. The record’s office will provide a deadline for which the form must be returned, completed and
signed. Return the signed form to the records office, wait 24 hours, go into DuckTrax and confirm that you
are no longer enrolled. If you are still enrolled, follow up with the records office immediately. You are to
attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you miss the deadline or
fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the course.
8.0
Academic Integrity: Texas A&M University - Central Texas expects all students to maintain high
standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Students guilty of academic dishonestly are subject to
disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other
academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. The faculty member is responsible
for initiating action for each case of academic dishonestly. Institutional policies for student conduct can be
found at the Division of Student Affairs/Student Conduct website at: www.ct.tamus.edu/StudentConduct.
9.0
Disability Support Services: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination
statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things,
this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides
for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. Blackboard Learn (v. 9.1) is certified for non-visual
accessibility. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Ryan
Thompson, Academic Support Programs Coordinator, at (254) 519-5796 or by email at
rthomp8@ct.tamus.edu. You may also visit Academic Support at:
http://www.ct.tamus.edu/departments/academicsupport/disability.php.
10.0 Tutoring: Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students, both on-campus and online. Subjects tutored
include Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, and Writing (APA). Tutors are available at the Tutoring
Center in Founder's Hall, Room 204, and in the Library in the North Building.
Visit www.ct.tamus.edu/AcademicSupport and click "Tutoring Support" for tutor schedules and contact info.
If you have questions, need to schedule a tutoring session, or if you're interested in becoming a tutor,
contact Academic Support Programs at 254-501-5830 or by emailing cecilia.morales@ct.tamus.edu.
Chat live with a tutor 24/7 for almost any subject on your computer! Tutor.com is an online tutoring platform
that enables TAMU-CT students to login and receive FREE online tutoring and writing support. This tool
provides tutoring in Mathematics, Writing, Career Writing, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Spanish, Calculus, and
Statistics. To access Tutor.com, click on www.tutor.com/tamuct.
11.
Library Services: INFORMATION LITERACY focuses on research skills which prepare individuals to live
and work in an information-centered society. Librarians will work with students in the development of
critical reasoning, ethical use of information, and the appropriate use of secondary research techniques. Help
may include, yet is not limited to: exploration of information resources such as library collections and
services, identification of subject databases and scholarly journals, and execution of effective search
strategies. Library Resources are outlined and accessed at:
http://www.tarleton.edu/centraltexas/departments/library/
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Appendix A: Grading Rubric
10