Learning Outcomes:
After completing the module, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of how to prepare and present data and information in ways useful to decision makers
2. Appraise the effectiveness of information systems
3. Identify, collect and collate primary and secondary data from a range of sources
4. Apply a range of techniques to analyse and present data
5. Prepare and present data in a prescribed format
This assignment is worth 100% of the total marks for the module.
Answer all the following questions.
Please note the following instructions:
You may select any organisation upon which to base your answers including the case study, but you are strongly recommended to select an organisation that you have worked for or one you feel you can research easily using the Internet and academic search engines.
The latter approach is acceptable where you do not work for an organisation. It is also acceptable to base your answer on a case study.
Where you are asked to supply MS Excel (or equivalent) material such as graphs and/or data tables please note these must be embedded as figures within the file and not shown as linked files (i.e. your assignment must be a single document in word or PDF format. Turnitin cannot accept multiple files or linked files).
Question 1
You have been asked to conduct a survey of your fellow colleagues to gauge their response to the possibility of introducing a holiday pay scheme. Explain the significance of the following:
a) Population
b) Sampling techniques
You must draw upon relevant theory, concepts and models and appropriate organisational examples.
In order to complete this task, you will need to consider as a first step the factors outlined in the course materials, referring as a start to the lesson on Quantitative Research and add relevant academic sources to your answer.
Question 2
In respect of primary and secondary data compare and contrast:
1) The main differences between primary and secondary data
2) The advantages and disadvantages of primary and secondary data
You must draw upon relevant theory, concepts and models and appropriate organisational examples.
In order to complete this task, you will need to consider as a first step the factors outlined in the course materials, referring as a start to the lessons on Quantitative Research and Qualitative Research and add relevant academic sources to your answer.
Question 3
Drawing upon examples from either the case study organisation, your own organisation, or one with which you are familiar select an appropriate quantitative measure (such as turnover, profit, available from annual reports etc) and having obtained values over a number of equal time periods calculate the following:
a) the mean
b) mode
c) the standard deviation
You must include all your manual calculations. Use an Excel spread sheet to verify your calculations and embed a copy of this spreadsheet in your answer.
In order to complete this task, you will need to consider as a first step the factors outlined in the course materials, referring as a start to the lesson on Quantitative Analysis: Coding and Descriptive Statistics and add relevant external sources to your answer.
Question 4
When it comes to making sound decisions an effective management information system acts as an important part of the process. To what extent would you agree with this perspective and why?
You must draw upon relevant theory, concepts and models and appropriate organisational examples.
In order to complete this task, you will need to consider as a first step the factors outlined in the course materials, referring as a start to the lessons on Introduction and the Role of Business Analysis in Organisations and add relevant external academic sources to your answer.
