SUBJECT OUTLINE

26134 Business Statistics

Course area UTS: Business
Delivery Spring 2020; City
Credit points 6cp
Requisite(s) 26100c Integrating Business Perspectives
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Result type Grade and marks

Subject coordinator
Name: Associate Professor Gordon Menzies
Email: 26134@uts.edu.au

All enquiries should be made via UTSOnline. For matters of a personal nature, email 26134@uts.edu.au.

There is no need to notify me that you are unable to attend a lecture or tutorial.

Teaching staff
Lecturer:

Associate Professor Gordon Menzies

(with assistance of other UTS lecturers in pre-recorded material)

Office hours:

See UTSOnline. There are two office hours via ZOOM every Wednesday.

Discussion Board and UTSOnline:

Please check the information on UTSOnline first or post your question to the relevant Discussion Board (always check the question
has not already been asked before posting)

https://online.uts.edu.au/

Enquiry and contact protocol:

In most cases, the information you require is available in the subject outline or on UTSOnline. If you cannot find the answer we
strongly encourage you to post all questions and inquiries (unless they are of a private nature) on the relevant discussion forum on
the Business Statistics UTSOnline website before you contact staff directly. This policy aims to benefit everyone – as questions
and answers can be shared among all students.

For matters relatd to enrolment, please contact student centre. Our teaching staff has no control over this.

The student centre should be contacted if you wish to submit special consideration or to discuss missed assessment.

There is no need to email if you are missing a lecture or tutorial as attendance is not part of your assessment.

Emails of a personal nature can be sent to the subject coordinator. Emails will only be accepted from and sent ONLY to your
UTS email address. To assist in identifying and sorting emails, please ensure that your email subject line begins with the subject
number, 26134, followed by your surname and student number, and short statement of email purpose. The coordinator is involved
in more than one subject.

Subject description
This subject is designed to develop students' abilities to assess and critically interpret statistics and business information, and apply
it in changing business environments. The subject places strong emphasis on developing a clear theoretical understanding of
various analytical tools as well as an appreciation of the application of statistics to business decisions. These skills and
competencies provide a foundation for professional practice for further study in the many different majors of the degree.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
1. apply standard statistical tools in various business decision contexts within a professionally responsible framework

07/07/2020 (Spring 2020) © University of Technology Sydney Page 1 of 9

2. apply appropriate quantitative analytical techniques to qualify, support, select and evaluate data as information for business
decision-making

3. effectively interpret and communicate results of quantitative analyses for business decision-making

4. effectively use a computer-based data analysis package (i.e. Excel) to critically analyse data.

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject contributes to the Bachelor of Business in that it develops students' abilities to assess and critically interpret statistics
and its application in business decision-making. The subject places strong emphasis on developing a clear theoretical
understanding of various analytical tools as well as an appreciation of their application to business decisions. The subject will
develop skills linked to the Faculty’s graduate attribute that looks at developing critical thinking, creativity and analytical skills; and
contributes to the development of business practice oriented skills.

This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

Business knowledge and concepts
Critical thinking, creativity and analytical skills
Business practice oriented skills

This subject also contributes specifically to introducing the following program learning objectives:
1.1 Critically analyse relevant concepts to understand practice in business and related professions in a global workplace
2.1 Locate and critically evaluate relevant data and literature to address business problems through a research approach
5.1 Apply technical and professional skills necessary to operate effectively in business and related professions

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is presented in lecture and tutorial format. Lectures involve face-to-face content delivery. Essential principles and
theoretical concepts are presented and analysed in lectures. The subject employs electronic resources such as online videos and
online practice quizzes to enhance appreciation of theoretical concepts covered during various sessions. Students are required to
prepare in advance for tutorial sessions. Students will work through application exercises in small groups outside of tutorial
sessions and discuss with peers before presenting in class. In the tutorial sessions, students are led through application exercises
that substantiate the theoretical concepts. To facilitate this advance preparation, students are provided online support through
UTSOnline forums such as discussion board and chat board. Students can collaborate outside of class time with peers through
Discussion Board forums and working through self-practice exercises in lecture slides to prepare the material in advance.

All students will be provided with the opportunity for initial feedback on their performance in the subject during the first four weeks of
the semester, for example, tutorial exercises, quizzes and other assessment methods. Further feedback will be provided in relation
to submitted assessment tasks. In addition, student groups will collaborate and engage in active learning tasks such as prepare
exercises in advance, and discuss their work with peers and receive constructive feedback on the assigned task. Further, students
will have access to numerous online resources to support student revision. These include supplementary business articles and
videos related to Bstats topics.

Content (topics)
Introduction to types of data
Descriptive statistics
Introduction to probability and probability distributions
Sampling and sampling distributions
Interval estimation
Hypothesis testing
Comparisons involving means and proportions
Linear regression

Program
Week/Session Dates Description

1 30 July Introduction and Descriptive Statistics I

Readings: BAS Chapters 1 and 2

Notes:

There are no tutorials this week

07/07/2020 (Spring 2020) © University of Technology Sydney Page 2 of 9

2 6 August Descriptive Statistics II and Probability Theory

Readings: BAS Chapters 3 and 4

Notes:

Tutorials commence

3 13 August Discrete Probability Distributions

Readings: BAS Chapter 5

4 20 August Continuous Probability Distributions

Readings: BAS Chapter 6

5 27 August Sampling and Sampling Distributions

Readings: BAS Chapter 7

Notes:

Instructions on group assignment become available.

6 3 September Point and Interval Estimates

Readings: BAS Chapter 8

7 10 September Hypothesis Testing I

Readings: BAS Chapters 9

Notes:

The mid-semester examination (30% of final mark) will occur in this week. The
mid-sem exam covers content from week 1 to week 5. The exam is online multiple
choices which can be taken anytime between Monday and Friday of this week. See
UTSOnline for details. Tutorials go on as usual.

stuvac 17 September
Notes:

Stuvac is a good time to start working on your group assignment

8 24 September Hypothesis Testing II

Readings: BAS Chapters 10 and 11

9 1 October Hypothesis Testing III

Readings: BAS Chapter 11 and 12

10 8 October Regression Analysis I

Readings: BAS Chapters 13 and 14

Notes:

Your assignment (20% of final mark) is due on Friday, 9 October. See UTSOnline
about how to submit.

07/07/2020 (Spring 2020) © University of Technology Sydney Page 3 of 9

11 15 October Regression Analysis II

Readings: BAS Chapters 14

12 22 October Review Lecture and Exam Preparation

Notes:

Tutorials do take place this week focusing on Regression Analysis.

Exam period 31 Oct. - 14 Nov. Formal examination period runs from 31 October to 14 November. You must be
available at any time during this period to undertake exams.

Notes:

Stuvac runs 26-30 October.

Note: Students must attend the lecture and tutorial classes in which they are officially enrolled. Changes to enrolments cannot be
made by the coordinator, lecturers or tutorial instructors. A student who turns up to a tutorial class she or he is not enrolled in will
be disrupting the learning of students who have the right to be there. If changes to tutorial enrolments must be made, make sure
this is done online via eRequest

https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/managing-your-course/using-uts-systems/student-forms-apps-and-systems/ask-uts

Additional information
UTSOnline is a web-based learning tool. In Business Statistics UTSOnline is used for asking and answering questions (via
Discussion Forums); keeping up to date (via Announcements); accessing learning resources (via Subject Materials); and checking
your grades (via Tools).
It is an expectation and responsibility to access this resource on a regular basis (at least more than once a week)
To log in to UTSOnline:
1. Visit http://online.uts.edu.au/
2. Type your user name (Your user name is your student number e.g. 12345678).
3. Type your password (Your password is the same as your e-mail password. You will need to activate your UTS e-mail account
first.)
4. Click "Login"
Business Statistics operates a level 3 UTSOnline program (information plus moderated discussion board). This means that you will
be using UTSOnline extensively. The discussion board forums are also used extensively. We have staff dedicated to answering
your content and administrative questions.

Lecture/Tutorial Recording
Lectures are pre-recorded since Week 2. Students can access and study recordings whenever and wherever they want. Among all
tutorial sessions, one is recorded. A link is updated on every Saturday.

Assessment
In addition to all the assessment information given below, guidelines, instructions and specific criteria for the assessment will be
provided on UTSOnline at an appropriate time during the semester. It is a requirement for each assessment item that students
review this information before attempting the assessment task.
Examinations will be conducted fully online and under University examination conditions, and hence thoroughly address concerns
regarding secure assessment. This includes having a student card when attending examinations. For the final exam, you need to
have a webcam (the one equiped by a laptop suffices) which will be used for checking your identity and invigilation.

Group assessment will be secured through peer assessment techniques and/or plagiarism detection software.

Assessment task 1: Report (Group)

Objective(s): This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3 and 4

Weight: 20%

Task: To enable businesses to make decisions, they require data collection and analysis to obtain meaningful

07/07/2020 (Spring 2020) © University of Technology Sydney Page 4 of 9

Task: To enable businesses to make decisions, they require data collection and analysis to obtain meaningful
information that is used in tactical and strategic planning. Therefore, the assignment requires students to
demonstrate their ability to locate, select and analyse data using appropriate resources and analytical tools. The
assignment requires students to access and critically analyse business data.
Further details will be provided on UTSOnline.

Due: 11.59pm Friday 11 September 2020

Assignments should be submitted via Turnitin Assignments on UTSOnline Subject Tools. Late submissions will
incur a deduction of 20% per day. Assignments submitted more than five working days will not be marked. The
assignment is based on materials that allow students to commence several weeks prior to submission and,
therefore, extensions for assignments will not be granted.
See also Further information.

Further Special Consideration: Any student that has a difficulty with the assessment task should apply for special
information: consideration and must do so before the due date of the assessment item. For full details of the special
consideration application process and to apply go to www.sau.uts.edu.au/assessment/consideration/index.html

In addition to the information given above, guidelines, instructions and specific criteria for the assessments will be
placed on UTSOnline in Week 6 at the latest. It is a requirement for this assessment item that all students review
this information before attempting this assessment task. If there are any changes to the assessment details or
any of the above information, perhaps due to unforeseen circumstances, they will be announced on UTSOnline. It
is your responsibility to note any changes and stay informed.

Assessment task 2: Mid-Semester Exam (Individual)

Objective(s): This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2 and 3

Weight: 30%

Task: The exam will be a multiple choice exam of one hour. It will assess all materials presented in Weeks 1 to 5.

Length: The examination will be one hour (with no additional reading time)

Due: The examination is fully online via UTSOnline. Details on how to take the exam will be updated in Week 6 at the
latest. You can take the exam anytime between 7 September, Monday and 11 September, Friday. You have to
finish the exam within one hour and submit, meaning that "save" is not possible.

Further Composite Mid-Semester Grade (Re-weighting):

information:
Students who do not attend the faculty based mid-session exam will have the weighting of that assessment
added to the final examination conditional on the students submitting, receiving approval and complying with the
requirements of special consideration in accordance with the UTS rules. If the composite mark for the final exam
then totals more than 50 percent and the student is in the final subject of their degree, the UTS rules on
borderline result (range of 45-49) shall apply whereby students will be allowed to undertake a supplementary final
examination. Where a student completes and passes a supplementary examination, the maximum mark awarded
for the subject will be 50 Pass.

In addition to the information given above, guidelines, instructions and specific criteria for the assessments will be
placed on UTSOnline in Week 6 at the latest. It is a requirement for this assessment item that all students review
this information before attempting this assessment task. If there are any changes to the assessment details or
any of the above information, perhaps due to unforeseen circumstances, they will be announced on UTSOnline. It
is your responsibility to note any changes and stay informed.

Assessment task 3: Final Exam (Individual)

Objective(s): This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2 and 3

Weight: 50%

07/07/2020 (Spring 2020) © University of Technology Sydney Page 5 of 9

Weight: 50%

Task: The final examination assures objectives 1, 2 and 3. The examination tests the student's ability to correctly identify
and use statistical tools and to interpret output within related contexts. The exam tests the student's ability to be
able to critically interpret statistics and business information. The final exam assures the Bachelor of Business
learning goal that students should have well developed critical and analytical skills and be able to access and
interpret statistics and business information. It will assess material from the entire semester.

Length: The format of the final examination, and its structure, will be announced on UTSOnline as the Covid-19 situation
develops.

Due: UTS Exam period

It is our hope to run the final examination during the exam period, with students attending in person, though as
noted above the university is responding to the Covid-19 situation in such a way as to prioritize the health and
safety of students. In the event that a normal exam environment prevails, we will make allowances for students in
remote locations or otherwise affected by Covid-19. Further details will be provided as the semester unfolds, and
we thank you for your patience in these unprecedented times.
See also Further information.

Further A full guide listing the specific requirements for Special Conditions, Scheduling Difficulties, Rescheduled Exams,
information: Special Consideration and Special Exam procedures will be placed on UTSOnline during the semester and
students are expected to follow this guide in relation to all exam related issues. More information, as well as links
to the relevant forms, is available on the Student Administration Unit website:

http://www.sau.uts.edu.au/assessment/exams/central.html or speak to the staff at the UTS Business School

Student Centre.

In addition to the information given above, guidelines, instructions and specific criteria for the assessments will be
placed on UTSOnline at an appropriate time during the semester. It is a requirement for this assessment item
that all students review this information before attempting this assessment task. If there are any changes to the
assessment details or any of the above information, perhaps due to unforeseen circumstances, they will be
announced in lectures and/or on UTSOnline. It is your responsibility to note any changes and stay informed.

Examination material or equipment

In both the mid-semester and final examinations, students will be permitted to bring any written material to the examination room.
This may include lecture notes, tutorial notes, text book(s), practice examinations or any other printed material relating to the
subject. The students will not be able to bring any electronic devices other than their laptop. During their final exam, screen and
browser activity will be recorded for any misconduct.

Students are also permitted to bring a programmable or non-programmable calculator into their examinations.

Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.

Required texts
Lecture slides, tutorial notes and appendices provided by the instructors.

Recommended texts
Black, K., Asafu-Adjaye, J., Burke, P., Khan, N., King, G., Perera, N., Papadimos, A., Sherwood, C., & Wasimi, S. (2019). Business
analytics and statistics 1st Edition ISBN: 9780730363330 (Printed edition and Interactive Etext).

NOTE: Students are advised to have a printed text rather than e-text only should they choose to purchase the book; because
students are permitted to bring the printed text into the mid-session and final exams as they are both conducted as open book exams.

References
The following may be useful to consider as additional texts to support your learning in this subject over and above the required text:
Business Statistics: Australia New Zealand, 6th Edition, Selvanathan/Keller, Edition 6, ISBN: 978-0170237000
Learning Statistics and Excel in Tandem, Selvanathan/Selvanathan, Edition 4, ISBN 978-0170351089
Data Analysis and Decision Making, Albright/Winston/Zappe, Edition 4, ISBN 13: 978-0-538-47612-6

Other resources
Calculators
You are permitted to bring a programmable or non-programmable calculator to your examinations. It is advised that you download

07/07/2020 (Spring 2020) © University of Technology Sydney Page 6 of 9

a copy of the user manual from the manufacturer's website and familiarise yourself with your calculator's various functions. In
assessments both programmable and non-programmable calculators will be permitted, however, a scientific calculator is best advised.

U:PASS
(UTS Peer Assisted Study Success) is a voluntary “study session” where you will be studying the subject with other students in a
group. It is led by a student who has previously achieved a distinction or high distinction in the subject area, and who has a good
WAM. Leaders will prepare activities for you to work on in groups based on the content you are learning in lectures and tutorials.
It’s really relaxed, friendly, and informal. Because the leader is a student just like you, they understand what it’s like to study the
subject and how to do well, and they can pass those tips along to you. Students also say it’s a great way to meet new people and
a “guaranteed study hour”.

You can sign up for U:PASS sessions via U:PASS website http://www.ssu.uts.edu.au/peerlearning/index.html. Note that sign up is
not open until week 1, as it’s voluntary and only students who want to go should sign up. If you have any questions or concerns
about U:PASS, please check out the website or email upass@uts.edu.au.

Mathematics and ICT Study Centre

The Mathematics and ICT Study Centre offers free assistance with mathematics, statistics and basic computing to students from
ALL faculties. The centre can assist students with common computing packages including wordprocessing and spreadsheets. The
centre also runs workshops and bridging courses in mathematics, statistics and computing. Full details are available online at
https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/science/study-resources/mathematics-and-science-study-centre

Academic liaison officer

Dr Robert Czernkowski, Accounting Discipline Group, telephone 9514 3736
Mr Harry Tse, Economics Discipline Group, telephone 9514 7786 or 9514 5456
Dr Otto Konstantados, Finance Discipline Group, telephone 9514 7758
Dr Paul Wang, Marketing Discipline Group, telephone 9514 3692
Associate Professor Carmel Foley, Management Discipline Group, telephone 9514 5102

Any arrangements should be negotiated within the first six weeks of session.

Support
Student Services Unit/Counselling: Student Services provides a range of free and confidential professional services to support
different aspects of your life and learning at UTS. These services include counselling for personal and learning problems or issues.
If you are experiencing difficulties with your overall study program, for whatever reason, telephone +61 2 9514 1177 (City campus).

Students with disabilities or ongoing medical conditions: If you are a student who has a disability or ongoing medical condition
that requires support services you are encouraged to contact the accessibility consultants or Accesssibility Service (telephone +61
2 9514 1177) for a confidential interview. Supporting documentation regarding your disability or ongoing medical condition is
required if you wish to apply for assessment adjustments, including alternative assessment conditions. Each faculty has appointed
academic liaison officers (ALOs) who are responsible for approving assessment adjustments. Meeting with the accessibility
consultants or Accessibility Service before seeking assessment adjustments from your ALO is required.

Improve your academic and English language skills: Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations
are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and
English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language and Presentation Support) service in
Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language and Presentation Support): HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency
and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services
offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual
appointments and Conversations@UTS. HELPS is located in Student Services, Building 1 Level 5 Room 25 (CB01.05.25).

Study skills / learning support: If you are experiencing difficulty with your studies or need to develop the necessary study skills
you require for your course, there is a host of useful information and websites to help you on the UTS Business School, Study and
Assessment Resource website. Links on how to write better, study more effectively, available support services/staff to help, how to
complete assignments; as well as tips for successful study and online study skills resources can all be accessed. In addition,
HELPS provides self-help resources.

Special consideration: Special consideration consists of the exercise of academic discretion to provide equitable treatment to
students whose performance in an assessment item is affected by illness, misadventure or work-related circumstances. You
should only apply for special consideration when your performance in an assessment item, including examinations, has been
affected by extenuating or special circumstances beyond your control. These circumstances include:
Serious illness or psychological condition: such as hospital admission, serious injury or illness, severe anxiety or depression
Loss or bereavement: such as death of a close family member, family relationship breakdown
Hardship or trauma: such as being a victim of a crime, sudden loss of income or employment, severe disruption to domestic
arrangements

07/07/2020 (Spring 2020) © University of Technology Sydney Page 7 of 9

 arrangements
Exceptional employment demands: such as active service (e.g. ADF Reserves, bushfire and SES services).

Special consideration is not automatically guaranteed and may not result in a mark adjustment

Careers Service: The UTS Careers Service aims to actively support the career development needs of all UTS students.

Statement about assessment procedures and advice

Assessment of coursework subjects

All staff and students involved in the assessment of coursework subjects at UTS are subject to the Policy for the Assessment of
Coursework Subjects. The policy is applicable to the assessment of all coursework subjects. This policy does not apply to thesis
subjects that are taken by students enrolled in research degrees, but does apply to any coursework subjects undertaken by
research degree students. It does not describe policy that relates to academic progression through a course of study.

The policy should be read in conjunction with the Procedures for the Assessment of Coursework Subjects.

Statement on copyright
Australian copyright law allows you as a student or researcher to copy and use limited amounts of other people's material in your
study or research without their permission and free of charge.

This applies to any sort of published or unpublished work, and includes written material, tables and compilations, designs, drawings
(including maps and plans), paintings, photographs, sculpture, craft work, films (such as feature films, television programs,
commercials and computer video games), software (such as computer programs and databases), sound recordings, performances
and broadcasts (including podcasts and vodcasts of these) and text, including books, journals, websites, emails and other
electronic messages.

It is important to remember that you can only use a limited amount for your study or research purposes and that you need to
correctly acknowledge the author and reference their material when you use it in your work.

Incorrect or improper use of copyright protected material could result in breaking Australian copyright law, for which significant
penalties apply. Incorrect or improper use of copyright protected material at UTS would result in consideration under the UTS
Student Misconduct rules.

UTS Rules and the UTS Student Charter require that students familiarise themselves and comply with UTS student policies and
procedures. Students should also see the copyright information advising what you can copy and how much you can use.

Copyright notice concerning teaching materials

Please remember that teaching materials and course resources provided to you at UTS are protected by copyright. You are not
permitted to re-use the UTS teaching materials for commercial purposes without permission of the copyright owner. Improper or
illegal use of teaching materials may lead to prosecution for copyright infringement. For further information see UTS copyright for
students and researchers.

Statement on plagiarism
At UTS, plagiarism is defined in rule 16.2.1(4) as: 'taking and using someone else's ideas or manner of expressing them and
passing them off as his or her own by failing to give appropriate acknowledgement of the source to seek to gain an advantage by
unfair means'.

The definition infers that if a source is appropriately referenced, the student's work will meet the required academic standard.

Plagiarism is a literary or an intellectual theft and is unacceptable both academically and professionally. It can take a number of
forms including but not limited to:
copying any section, no matter how brief, from a book, journal, article or other written source without duly acknowledging the
source
copying any map, diagram or table of figures without duly acknowledging the source
paraphrasing or otherwise using the ideas of another author without duly acknowledging the source.

Students are encouraged to participate in the Avoiding Plagiarism Quiz.

Other breaches of academic integrity that constitute cheating include but are not limited to:
copying from another student, recycling another student's work, recycling previously submitted work, and working with another
student in the same cohort in a manner that exceeds the boundaries of legitimate cooperation
purchasing an assignment from a website and submitting it as original work
a student requesting or paying someone else to write original work for them, such as an assignment, essay or computer
program, and submitting it as their own work.

Students who condone plagiarism and other breaches of academic integrity by allowing their work to be copied are also subjected
to severe disciplinary action.

07/07/2020 (Spring 2020) © University of Technology Sydney Page 8 of 9

to severe disciplinary action.

Where proven, plagiarism and other breaches of academic integrity are penalised in accordance with UTS Student Rules Section
16 – Student misconduct and appeals.

Avoiding plagiarism is one of the main reasons why the UTS Business School is insistent on the thorough and appropriate
referencing of all written work. Students may seek assistance regarding appropriate referencing through UTS HELPS.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity involves a good measure of trust between students, and between students and academic staff and thesis
examiners. Cheating, whether in the form of plagiarism, bringing unauthorised material into exams, submitting false requests for
alternative exams or special consideration, or any other form, is a breach of this trust. Cheating also subverts the aims and value of
students' studies.

Refer to Good Academic Practice for further information. These principles apply to:
all written reports, assignments, projects, journals and related papers
any examinations, and
any other assessable items required to complete a subject or course.

Statement on UTS email account

Email from the University to a student will only be sent to the student's UTS email address. Email sent from a student to the
University must be sent from the student's UTS email address. University staff will not respond to email from any other email
accounts for currently enrolled students.

07/07/2020 (Spring 2020) © University of Technology Sydney Page 9 of 9