Module Specification template (AQD007)

The University’s module specification template has been developed to fulfil two main functions. It shall act:

● as a source of information for students and prospective students seeking an understanding of the
module;
● to ensure that there is clarity concerning the aims and intended learning outcomes of the module for
the University during the approval and periodic review processes.

Part One: ABOUT THE MODULE

1a Module title Understanding and Managing Data
1b Subject Standards Board Management
1c Location(s) module is offered Islington College, Kathmandu, Nepal
1d Courses the module is available on BA (Hons) Business Administration
2 Module code MN4063NI
3 Module level and credit rating Level 4 15
4 School Guildhall School of Business and Law
5 Teaching period Autumn, and Spring (15 weeks)
6 Mode of attendance Day
7 Module pre-requisites and co-requisites NO
8 Module description

Data analysis is a top business priority. It drives the opportunity for performance improvement and, with
advances in technology and software, data are generated at an ever-increasing rate. As such, it is not
surprising business data analysis and software skills are among the top graduate skills sought by
employers today. Understanding and Managing Data, responds to these market demands by providing the
underpinning skills required to make effective use of quantitative and statistical analyses and develops
students’ interpretation and reporting skills.

The module introduces data-based decision making and performance measurement and provides students
with the practical experience of using Excel to transform data into meaningful information. It further
introduces students to forecasting, target setting and project management. As such, it provides students
with an understanding of the fundamentals of statistical methods for business decision making. In doing
so, it provides the skills and knowledge required for levels 5 and 6 modules, including the dissertation and
consultancy project, that develop and evaluate the quantitative aspects of business management.

Overall, this module develops the analytical and communication skills relevant to understanding business
information, with an emphasis on problem-solving techniques in the context of business management,
decision making and performance measurement.

9 Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

LO 1. Appreciate the role of quantitative methods for business analysis, planning and performance
measurement;
LO 2. Use Excel facilities to transform data into information to facilitate problem solving and business
decision making;
LO 3. Demonstrate an understanding of basic statistics and modelling techniques and be able to interpret
and communicate findings.

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 10 Indicative syllabus – for full details see section C in module booklet
This module focuses on the processes by which data are transformed into information to provide insights
and facilitate informed decision making.

● Primary and secondary data sources are discussed and students are introduced to Excel
spreadsheet facilities for data presentation and the descriptive analysis of ungrouped and grouped
cross-sectional data.

To examine relationships and future values, correlation, regression and time series analyses are
introduced.

Finally, the module covers critical path analysis to facilitate project planning and management, and
introduces probability and decision analysis, investment appraisal and breakeven. Whilst the
syllabus will be delivered using a combination of pen and paper exercises and Excel activities to
familiarise students with the techniques, the emphasis is on interpreting output. Students will learn
to describe consumer characteristics or to recognise trends, but also to understand how product
and service decisions are made by companies, for example. LO1, LO2

● Communication skills, in particular the ability to compile output and interpretation, are also
developed. LO3
11 Indicative bibliography and key on-line resources
Textbooks:

● Oakshott, L. (2020) Essential Quantitative Methods for Business, Management and Finance. 7th
edition. Red Globe Press
● Evans, J.R. (2016) Business Analytics, Global Edition. 2nd edition. Pearson
● Wisniewski, M. and Shafti, F. (2019) Quantitative Analysis for Decision Makers. 7th edition,
Blackwells
● HBR (2018) Guide to Data Analytics Basics for Managers. HBR Guide Series. Harvard Business
Review Press
● Curwin, J. et al (2013) Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions. 7th edition. Cengage

Websites:

Bloomberg – European Edition, https://www.bloomberg.com/europe

Reuters. Edition: United Kingdom, https://uk.reuters.com/

Rice Virtual Lab in Statistics (simulation applets, interactive multimedia course, cases and more):
http://onlinestatbook.com/rvls.html

Other:
Google’s Chief Economist, Hal Varian, on the Importance of Statistics and Data:
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/high-tech/our-insights/hal-varian-on-how-the-web-challenges-
managers

Online Statistics Education: A Multimedia Course of Study (http://onlinestatbook.com/),

Project Leader: David M. Lane, Rice University. Free statistics Textbook (pdf version):
http://onlinestatbook.com/Online_Statistics_Education.pdf

London Metropolitan University Harvard Style Referencing guide:

http://student.londonmet.ac.uk/library/subject-guides-and-research-support/referencing-and-
copyright/referencing/

AQD007 Module Specification 2020/21 2

 12 What is the balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity within the module?

Learning and teaching are structured around three hours of class contact time per week. The weekly
sessions take the form of a 1-hour lecture and a 2-hour interactive seminar in a computer lab.

The lectures introduce students to the theories and methods and adopt a problem-focused approach to
learning. The interactive seminars are designed to facilitate learning through individual and collaborative
practical activities, interpretation and reporting exercises, discussions and presentations, and feedback.

Students will receive module material, including weekly session notes, presentation slides, exercises and
computer activities via google classroom or Mysecondteacher.com. The computer-based tasks are
blended into the weekly activities: students will be using Microsoft Excel to enter and analyse data and
Microsoft Word to report the findings. A range of tasks are completed in class, though others are
completed outside formal contact hours.

In addition to pen and paper exercises and Excel-, or Word-based activities, tasks take a variety of forms,
including online research, working with statistical applets and participating in interactive activities. It is
expected that for every 3-hours spent in lectures and seminars, students spend a further 7 hours a week
on independent study. A total of 30 hours is allocated for assessment preparation.

Reflective learning is incorporated into the module and students are advised to keep a journal of
experiences and personal development to analyse and reflect on the effectiveness of their learning.

NOTE: 1 credit = 10 hours’ learning (i.e., 30 credits should total 300 hours)
Method Description Learning
hours
Scheduled Learning & Teaching 1 * 1.5 hrs Lecture 54 (36%)
1 * 1.5 hrs Tutorial
1 * 1.5 hrs Workshop
4.5 hrs per week * 12 weeks
Guided independent study 96 (58%)
Assessment preparation/delivery
Placement/study abroad
TOTAL LEARNING HOURS FOR THE MODULE 150
13a Description of assessment items.

The assessment is designed to provide feedback opportunities and enable students to demonstrate the
learning outcomes have been achieved. On MN4063 assessment takes the form of an individually-
completed coursework with a reflective component embedded.

The module has one summative assessment consisting of two parts. The first part requires students to
complete, and provide a 400-word commentary on, a set of short tasks. These tasks can cover a range of
concepts, methods and models across a variety of business and management settings.

The second part is course-specific: the context, data set and decision problem will reflect the students'
subject area. This part requires students to select appropriate data analysis and / or modelling techniques
to analyse a specific business problem. It involves the preparation of a 600-word report to interpret the
findings and to communicate recommendations to decision makers.

Both parts require the use of Microsoft Excel to summarise and analyse the data and Microsoft Word to
report the findings and recommendations.

A short, reflective commentary is required as part of the assessment.

The coursework assesses the three learning outcomes, is due at the end of week 13 and contributes 100%
to the overall module mark.

Coursework briefs and assessment criteria are uploaded to college portals and discussed in class to

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 ensure requirements, and the basis on which academic judgements are made, are clear. In the weeks
where coursework workshops are incorporated into the regular sessions, students are encouraged to show
draft work for developmental feedback. To improve the quality of work, these sessions focus on
interpretation and / or business report writing and developing good academic practice, for example in
terms of consistently crediting sources.

Results are finalised following internal moderation & external moderation and are published on E-vision at
the end of the academic year.

13b Description of assessment Assessme Qualifying Qualifying Week Learning

component nt marks and sets due outcome/s
weighting conditions
Course Individual coursework 100% 40% Pass on 12 LO1, LO2,
work 1: Quantitative aggregate LO3
analysis and Report
based on a set of
tasks and business
objectives.

16 Original date of validation (AQD) Please enter the validation date.

17 Revision date (specify cohort) (AQD) Please note date of any modifications.
18 Module specification version number (AQD) Please input the version number.
19 SITS Mark Scheme (Student Journey) Please input the SITS mark scheme.
20 Subject Standards Board Name (Student Journey) Please input the SSB name.

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