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Unit Information Form (UIF)

(The UIF provides the definitive record of the designated Unit)

SECTION A

General Unit Information

Unit Name Using Data to Build Business Practice

Unit Code BSS004-1
Level 4
Credit Value 30
Location(s) of
On-campus, Off-campus
Delivery
Period(s) of delivery 15 weeks
Pre-requisites or
None
Restrictions
All business disciplines require data for sound decision-making, and
the manipulation of data is considered an important transferable skill
by many employers. This unit sets out to provide you with an
interesting and enjoyable introduction to data analysis. You will
develop an awareness both of robust methods for collecting data and
common contemporary tools and techniques of analysis to support
decision making.

You will work, both collaboratively and individually, on a series of

challenges that will prepare you to make business decisions using
data.

Aims and Relevance This unit aims to:

• Develop your understanding of the issues involved in data
collection and analysis with the objective of being able to
communicate results clearly, both verbally and by using suitable
written, graphical and analytical means.

• Provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to

collect data, produce data summaries, assess confidence in the data
and help you to explore relationships between variables in order to
assist in the planning process.

• Develop essential Excel skills to harness the potential of this

software to inform decision making.
Indicative Content:
Syllabus Content
How data is collected; graphical and numerical summaries of data;
applying the logic of probability to business decisions; correlation;
regression.

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Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Identify data requirements and the appropriate data collection instruments required
for effective business decision making [CIPD LO 5IHR 1 & 2]
2. Conduct appropriate analysis and clearly communicate findings to a stated audience
[CIPD LO 5IHR 2, 3 & 4]

PSRB outcomes
PSRB outcomes
This unit contributes to Learning outcomes and assessment criteria in line with Chartered
Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) intermediate level accreditation (5IHR). On
completion of this unit learners will be able to demonstrate some or all of: 5IHR:
• Know how to identify and scrutinise appropriate HR data sources
• Be able to conduct small-scale research and analyse the findings
• Be able to draw meaningful conclusions and evaluate options for change
• Know how to deliver clear, business-focused reports on an HR issue

Please note this is only relevant for students completing a CIPD accredited course.

Summary learning hours

Scheduled Guided Independent Autonomous Placement Total

Hours S G I A P
Percentage 16% 69% 15% 0% 0% 100%

Approach to learning

This is a practical unit which will require you to make extensive use of Microsoft Excel. Each
week you will have a one hour lecture and a three hour workshop session. The lecture will
introduce the topic and in the workshop sessions you will work in groups on solving related
problems using Excel. Some of the time in the workshop sessions will be spent in
preparation for your end-of-unit assignment.

Learner development

This Unit particularly focuses on the development of your abilities in the following areas:

Your ability and confidence to search for appropriate solutions.

Enquiry
Understanding the limitations of data.
Contextual Your understanding of the importance of making business decisions based
understanding on sound analysis of data.
Working in groups to enhance your own team working and subject specific
Collaboration
skills by assisting others and seeking assistance when necessary.

Enterprise Your ability to identify appropriate solutions to common business problems.

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Assessment summary

No Assessment Learning Weight % Submission Length

Method Code1 outcome(s) week (of exam)
1 CW-DATA 1, 2 25% 6
1 WR-I 1, 2 75% 13

Assessment details

Assessment 1 requires you to develop an artefact related to the assessment of a scenario

where data needs to be collected and analysed to make a business decision.
Assessment 2 requires you to write a report in which you will make recommendations for
business actions based on your analysis of data.

Threshold expectations

In order to pass Assessment 1 you will need to:

Discuss the validity of an appropriate technique to summarise and interpret business
data
Identify basic data requirements to help make a decision

In order to pass Assessment 2 you will need to:

Display a defined level of knowledge of indicated tools and techniques common to
business decision making
Select an appropriate technique to summarise and interpret business data
Demonstrate competence in a defined range of skills in Excel
Communicate results effectively to the relevant audience

1 See the UIF Guide for permissible codes

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SECTION B

Recommended Reading

Core text
Morris FC (2012), Quantitative Approaches in Business Studies, 8th Edition. Pearson, This
text is available in the library at 510.24658 MOR. An electronic copy of an older edition is
also available.

Guided reading
Details of what to read and when will be provided in Guided Reading in the BREO site.

Independent study
To receive high grades you will need to demonstrate your wider reading.

There are many books that will cover the topics in this unit. Most books with statistics in the
title will be appropriate. You should aim to read at least two other textbooks to support your
studies.

Once the unit has been approved this list can be replaced with a link to the online reading
list.
Once initial approval of the unit has been given, the Unit Co-ordinator may propose changes
to this section to the Academic Liaison Librarian

Equality Impact Assessment

Question Y/N/NA Additional anticipatory

adjustments/actions if necessary
Learning materials will be made available in
advance of sessions for students to adapt as Y
appropriate?
The approach to teaching and learning is
sufficiently flexible to enable all students to Y
succeed?
This unit uses group working, an
essential business skill, throughout.
The approach to group work takes account of Students with recognised medical
the needs of students with disabilities and from Y challenges around group contexts
diverse backgrounds? should discuss this with their tutors at
the start of the unit to create an
appropriate plan for study.
The approach to practical work takes account
Y
of the needs of students with disabilities?
Students with a protected characteristic2 have
an equal opportunity to achieve the learning Y
outcomes?
The assessment tasks provide all students with
Y
an equal opportunity to succeed?
Any other aspects of the unit that might pose
potential challenges from an equality or Y
diversity perspective have been considered?

2Age, Gender reassignment, Marriage and civil partnership, Pregnancy and maternity, Race, Religion and belief,
Sex, Sexual orientation
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SECTION C

Administrative Information – Faculty completion

Faculty UBBS

Portfolio UG Business

School/Department Strategy & Management

Unit Co-ordinator TBC

Version Number 1/18

Approved by Periodic Review

Date of approval (dd/mm/yyyy) April 2018

Shared Units – Indicate below all courses which include this Unit in their diet
BSc Business Studies (all pathways)
BSc Advertising & Marketing Communications
BSc Advertising & Marketing Communications (with languages)
BSc Human Resource Management
BSc Marketing
BSc Communication & Reputation Management
BSc Marketing with Event Management
BSc Marketing with International Tourism Management
BSc Marketing with Airport & Aviation Management
BSc Events Management
BSc Events Management (with languages)
BSc International Tourism Management
BSc International Tourism Management (with languages)
BSc International Tourism with Events Management
BSc International Tourism with Hospitality Management
BSc Travel, Aviation and Tourism Management
BSc International Business

Name Date
Form completed by Shamim Warwick 25 May 2018
Signature of Chair of
Faculty TQSC

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Unit Updates – ensure that the revised UIF is given a new version number each time a change is
made
FTQSC Minute
Date Nature of Update
Ref:

Administrative Information – Academic Registry completion

JACS / HECoS code (KIS)

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UIF annex: Summary learning hours

Revision Assessment
Code Activity Hours Total
period Activity
UoB-based activities
SL Lecture 12 12
SW Workshops 48 48
SR Directed reading and research 184 184
SA Assessment preparation 30 30
IR Unguided reading from defined reading lists
SAS Scheduled Assessments
Total 274
Guided learning
WBL Employer based learning activities

Total
Independent learning 45 45
Total 300

Key:

SL Scheduled Lecture
SW Scheduled Workshop
SR Scheduled Reading and Research
SA Scheduled Assessment Preparation (normally designed as IA – Independent Assessment)
IR Independent Reading
WBL Worked based Learning
SAS Scheduled Assessment

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