IT 243 Quantitative Methods

Course Outline

Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the use of quantitative methods in research. It is
specially designed for undergraduate students who want to systematically understand
social phenomena through numbers. During the process of learning theories, students
will have an opportunity to learn how to use statistical software. This also provides an
understanding of how various business situations are modeled and optimized effectively
using mathematical modeling and quantitative techniques.

Course Objective
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Formulate a research problem. Define objectives, methods, and deliverables.
2. Perform data preparation, visualization and analysis using inferential statistics
and multivariate modeling techniques.
3. Demonstrate proper model building and validation. Deploy results of data
analysis.
4. Be familiar with the use of statistical software as a tool for computation and
analysis

Course Outline

MODULE 1. Introduction
 What is Research
 ICT Research
 What is a scientific method?
 Difference btw qualitative and quantitative analysis?
 Purpose of statistics

MODULE 2. Research Methods

 The Research Process
 Problem Definition
 Research Design
 Sampling Design
 Measurement Concepts
  Data collection and Data Sources

MODULE 3. Descriptive Statistics

 Visual & Graphical Methods
 Numerical Methods

MODULE 4. Normal Distribution

 Shape of normal distribution
 Characteristics of normal distribution

MODULE 5. Fundamental Concepts for Statistical Inferences

 Random Sampling: treatment, control, randomization, and binded and double
blinded
 Sampling error
 Sampling distribution
 Central limit theorem
 Law of large number
MODULE 6. Confidence Interval
 CI for the mean with population SD is known
 CI for the mean with population SD is UNknown
 CI for proportions
 Margin of error
 Application using EXCEL

MODULE 7. Association/Dependence
 Test of Independence
 Chi-Square Test
 Analysis of Variance
 Correlation

MODULE 8. Prediction
 Linear Regression
 Logistic Regression
 Discriminant Analysis
MODULE 9. Clustering
 Cluster Analysis
 Factor Analysis
 Principal Component Analysis

MODULE 10. Designing a Complete Research Proposal OR Drafting a Conference

paper

Final Project: students are expected to conduct a final project, with differing
requirements:

 the final project is a short paper (no more than 5 pages) in which you
analyze a dataset using one of the methods discussed in the course.
Students are expected to use one of the datasets used during the course,
although you may use another dataset if desired. The final project will be
submitted online through the course website. Details on the final project will
be given near the beginning of the semester.