STAT 241-002: Business Statistics

CRN: 13668, Course Syllabus

Fall 2016

Instructor: Mark Blackmore

Office: M326 Neuberger Hall (Mezzanine - 3rd, accessible by East stairs only)
E-mail: mblackmo@pdx.edu
Class time: Tuesday & Thursday, 16:40 - 18:30
Classroom: NH 375
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 12:00 - 13:30
Wednesday 16:00 - 17:20
MyStatLab ID: blackmore81295
Midterm Exam: Thursday, October 27, in class
Final Exam: Tuesday, December 6, 17:30 - 19:20

Course Description:
This class is about learning how to use data to make better business decisions. We
always begin with an underlying business problem or research question - what are we
trying to learn / decide? In the first part of the class we will focus on describing data to
derive information and knowledge about the problem. In the second part of the class
we focus on a recipe for making decisions among competing answers to the underlying
question. In both parts of the class, we will emphasize how to communicate our
findings effectively.

Course Objectives:
 To become a good consumer of statistical information
 To conduct basic statistical analyses using MS Excel & PHStat
 To develop skills in communicating results of your statistical analyses
 To become proficient in MS Excel

This Class is Not:

This class is not a formal math class with lots of hand computation or proofs. If you
plan to pursue higher level statistics or want a more challenging course, please
consider the sequence Statistics 243 - 244 instead.

Course Format:
Lectures: Time in lecture will be devoted to introducing statistical concepts, case
studies and discussion. Real world, current problems are always preferred because
learning how to think about our current world is a vital skill. We will start with a business
related problem. Then, we will learn to use our intuition and statistical methods to solve
the problem.
Recitation: (if applicable) Time in recitation will be spent learning Excel and how to do
homework problems. You will practice using the statistical techniques introduced in
lecture to solve homework problems using MS Excel & PHStat. The recitation leader
and the text will give numerous examples that you can follow to learn Excel and learn
how to solve statistical problems. Additionally, we've posted several homework tips on
D2L.
Success Plan:
This class is designed for you to succeed. Please follow this simple plan of action.
1. Attend class: You'll understand more, get a better grade, and life will be easier.
Be on time. Participate in the class discussion and direct your comments to the
class. Ask questions. Please avoid side discussions - ask me!

2. Study: Review the course material for a minimum of thirty minutes every day.
Spaced repetition is the key to learning anything. Commit to this: thirty minutes
every day. Suggestion: Start with the lecture notes, then quick read of the book,
then homework.

3. Form / join a study group: This is the single best thing you can do to promote
your academic success. Do your homework with your study group. Teaching
each other is a very effective way to learn. Think about what you can do to help
the person sitting next to you. Making connections with other people is critical to
your success in this course, in your career, and in your life.

4. Collaborate: Please post ALL course related and homework questions to

the class discussion board on D2L. This way everyone can see the
question and everyone can contribute to the solution. Please help your
classmates by answering their questions. In my experience, the more active the
discussion board is the better the class will be. Do not email these types of
questions to your instructor.

5. If you get stuck on a homework problem and you've been stuck for more
than twenty minutes, post to D2L. Tell us what you are trying to do, what
happened, and where you are stuck. The class and I will respond.

6. Follow the course: You are responsible for ALL material covered in lecture,
discussion boards, and on D2L. Please check D2L and the discussion boards
daily.

7. Notify me about Private Issues: If you have an illness, personal issue, or

disability, please notify me immediately to arrange the necessary support. Do
not come to class if you are sick. I need to be informed of an issue by email
prior to any exam or homework deadline. In almost all cases, I will ask you to
see me during office hours.
Evaluation:
Evaluation methods are a means to learning. They are not the goal. Learning is the
goal. We evaluate in order to measure progress, and then we use the measurements to
adjust and to make sure we are on track to our goals.
1. Attendance: Attendance includes your showing up to class, meeting me in
office hours, your participation in D2L discussions, and your full attendance at
recitations. In addition, if you are requested to see the instructor during
office hours - this is a mandatory request.

2. Quizzes: There will be an in class quiz at the beginning of class, almost every
Thursday. The quiz will cover the prior week's lecture and related materials.

3. Homework: Homework from the text will be assigned weekly and completed in
MyStatLab. Please work on homework together in your study groups. You have
unlimited attempts on the homework, so try and focus on understanding the
problem and solution as opposed to just getting the correct answer.
IMPORTANT: You must achieve a score of 80 or above to receive credit for
a homework assignment. A score of less than 80 is counted as zero.

4. Case Studies: There will be one or two case study assignments. In the
assignment you will be given a business problem. You will solve the problem
using skills developed in the course. You will summarize your findings in a
managerial report.

5. Midterm Exam: The midterm exam date is Thursday, October 27, in the
present classroom.

6. Final Exam: The final exam date is Tuesday, December 6, 17:30 - 19:30, in the
present classroom.

Multiple Choice: Exams and quizzes are multiple choice. You will need a Scantron
#882 and a number 2 pencil for the exams, but not for the quizzes.
No late work. Business operates on tight schedules and deadlines. In order to
prepare you for your business career, no late work will be accepted. We will also start
class and quizzes on time. If you are late, you cannot make up the quiz.
Evaluation Weights:
Quizzes 10%
Homework (MyStatLab) 30%
Case Studies 20%
Midterm exam 20%
Final exam 20%
Total 100%
Required Textbook:
Business Statistics by Donnelly, Robert A. Jr.; Pearson, 2nd or 1st Edition

You can obtain the textbook either as hardcopy or digital copy. If you prefer the digital
copy (e-text), you can obtain it directly and together with the access code from
MyStatLab. Regardless of which option you choose, you need to purchase a MyStatLab
access code, which is either included if you buy a new textbook or can be purchased
when you register for MyStatLab.

In addition to the textbook, you will need access to MS Excel. You will also need to
download and install PHStat for MS Excel to complete your homework. See the
download instructions posted on D2L.

MyStatLab:
This course utilizes MyStatLab, an online learning platform that allows personalized
study paths and provides responsive learning tools. Homework assignment will be
conducted through this platform. The platform also provides students with study
resources and practices to develop proficiency.

To register, go to the MyStatLab website, find the course ID and enter the access code.
The course ID is blackmore81295.

Disability:
If you are a student with a documented disability and registered with the Disability
Resource Center (DRC), please contact me immediately to facilitate arranging
academic accommodations. If you have a disability but are not registered with the DRC,
please contact the DRC in the Smith Memorial Center, room 116.
Tentative Course Schedule

Week Activities & Assessments

1 Read: Syllabus
Read: Donnelly, Chapters 1.1 - 2.6:
Introduction to Business Statistics; Displaying Descriptive Statistics
Read: "A Sea Change in Treating Heart Attacks"
Complete: Quiz 1
Complete: Homework 1

2 Read: Donnelly, Chapters 3.1 - 3.5: 4.1 - 4.2

Calculating Descriptive Statistics; An Introduction to Probabilities
Read: "How a Gay Marriage Study Went Wrong"
Complete: Quiz 2
Complete: Homework 2

3 Read: Donnelly, Chapters 5.1 - 5.3 & 6.1 - 6.2

Discrete Probability Distributions; Continuous Probability Distributions
Read: "CDC Causes of Death 2014"; "Frontline: How Bad is the Opioid Epidemic"
Complete: Quiz 3
Complete: Homework 3

4 Read: Donnelly, Chapters 7.1 - 7.2, 7.4 & 8.1, 8.3 - 8.5
Sampling and Sampling Distributions; Confidence Intervals
Read: "The Death Rate is Rising Among Whites in Middle Age"
Complete Quiz 4
Complete: Homework 4
Complete: Case Study #1

5 Read: Lecture notes, to date

Read: "The thoroughly modern Chicago Cubs: How ...emerged from Stone Age"
Complete: Midterm Exam

6 Read: Donnelly, Chapter 9.1 - 9.4; 10.2 - 10.4

Hypothesis Testing for One Population; Two Populations
Read: "Oprah Unveils Her Weight Loss Transformation"
Complete: Quiz 5
Complete: Homework 5

7 Read: Donnelly, Chapter 11.1, 12.2, 12.3

Analysis of Variance; Chi Square Tests
Complete Quiz 6
Complete: Homework 6
Complete: Case #2: Quality Control

8 Read: Donnelly, Chapter 14.1 - 14.8

Simple Linear Regression
Complete: Quiz 7
Complete: Homework 7
9 Read Donnelly, Chapter 14.1 - 14.8
Regression & Forecasting
Complete: Homework 8

10 Read: Lecture Notes, to date

Complete: Quiz 8
Review for Final Exam - in class