Business Decision Making
Assessment
Date for Submission: 9
th November 2017
(The submission portal will close at 14:00 GMT)
Set by: Stuart Hutchison
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Assignment Brief
As part of the formal assessment for the HNC/D programme you are required to submit an
assignment for each module. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the
programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting
assignments.
After completing the module, you should be able to:
LO1: Be able to use a variety of sources for the collection of data, both primary and secondary
LO2: Understand a range of techniques to analyse data effectively for business purposes
LO3: Be able to produce information in appropriate formats for decision-making in an organizational context
LO4: Be able to use software-generated information to make decisions in an organization
Assignment Task
(CUSTOMIZED) CASE STUDY
In order to make this assignment (and thus the module) more interesting for each individual student,
rather than issue the same fixed case study for the whole group (as is traditional), I have decided to let
each student select a particular type of data or situation that interests them personally. You will thus
each use your own customized case study. Your first job is to visit one of the open data sources listed
in the embedded document below - just double click it – and browse through the various sites. Pick a
data set that really grabs your attention. These sources are open and free.
Open Data
Sources.docx
(If you have problems opening this embedded document, email the tutor)
Be sure to read the description of the data set first and click on the link so that you can see what the
data looks like ahead of downloading it. If you want to use this data set, go ahead and download the
data set (make sure you download the CSV or Excel format). Then save it to your computer ready to
process using Excel.
By doing this, you will get used to looking at and handling real-world, large-scale data sets from a
domain that interests you. So, if you are a teacher, you can use an educational data set or if you are
into cars maybe something to do with transport etc. It just makes the whole assignment more realistic
and enjoyable. It also exposes you to a set of free resources that you can use on later projects if
needed. Before committing yourself to a particular data set, read all the assignment tasks below and
make sure that your chosen data set can support the tasks requested. For example, if the data set does
not contain any numerical data you won’t be able to do all the descriptive statistics – so pick with care.
You MUST email the tutor your chosen data set in advance of commencing the assignment – certainly
within the first four weeks of the module commencing - for approval using shutchison@arden.ac.uk .
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Key Points:
• Be sure to embed your Excel spreadsheet containing your chosen data set in your assignment submission.
• Provide the full web address of where to locate this data set – so I can check it if needed.
• Give a brief explanation of what the data set represents (you can use the description on their website).
Task 1: Descriptive Statistics
Using your chosen data set, produce an Excel spreadsheet of Descriptive Statistics (AC 3.1 & 4.1) to
show the following. For each, briefly explain how they can be used to draw valuable inferences for the
chosen case study:
(a) The Median for any two numerical columns of your choosing (AC 2.1, 2.3)
(b) The Mean for the same two columns (AC 2.1, 2.3)
(c) The Standard Deviation for these same columns (AC 2.1, 2.3)
(d) Draw a Histogram for each of these same columns (AC 3.1)
(e) The Correlation Coefficient between these two same columns (AC 2.4)
Be sure to include clear, well-annotated screenshots of all your Excel work in your main Word document
as well as embedding the actual Excel file in the Word file – so it can be run and tested.
Comment briefly on how these statistics relate to each other and what, if any, meaning you may infer
from them.
FORMATIVE TASK
You are welcome to submit Task 1 (only Task 1) to the tutor when completed – for general feedback.
This is an optional task – but it will give you an early opportunity to check that you are on the right lines.
Try and submit this work as early as you can but certainly within the first 4 weeks of the module.
Send it to: shutchison@arden.ac.uk
Task 2: Presentation
Once you have computed all the above statistics, prepare a Power Point Presentation (AC 3.3) entitled:
“Making Sense of the Numbers”
This will contain (fully labelled) graphical representations and trend lines, along with your interpretation
of the descriptive statistics you have just calculated – presented as a series of bullet points, charts and
graphs. As part of your presentation, be sure to comment on issues such as sample size, reliability and
any potential bias in the sample. Introduce the data set and what it means. (AC 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 3.1, 3.3)
Make the presentation informative, logically-sequenced and visually appealing. Use a nice, eyecatching
design and an interesting ‘transition’ between slides. Again, embed the actual Power Point
file in your main Word document – so it can be viewed. Check it works before submitting.
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Task 3: Beyond Open Data
Having computed and presented the statistics on your existing chosen data set, it is now time to
produce a formal business report that builds on your downloaded open data by addressing the
following tasks (AC 3.4):
(a) Create a plan of how to design and collect a robust sample of new additional data that can be
added to your existing open data set. (AC 1.1)
(b) Produce a detailed explanation of any possible secondary sources of data which would be
useful to use alongside this existing open data. Supply websites used. (AC 1.1)
(c) Present a firm justification of the survey methodology and sampling frame, including strategies
for reducing any potential bias. (AC 1.2)
(d) Design (as an appendix) a draft questionnaire that could be used in the acquisition of this new
additional data. Be sure to utilize the full range of question-styles from the module. (AC 1.3)
Task 4: Risk, Reward & Planning
(a) Using suitable data from your data set (or using your imagination) fill in the following table…
Period (Year) 0 1 2 3 4 5
Cash Outflow (£)
Cash Inflow (£)
An example table – do NOT use these figures – use your own based on your own data set or imagination…
Period (Year) 0 1 2 3 4 5
Cash Outflow (£) 600,000 400,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 50,000
Cash Inflow (£) 0 70,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000
Assuming a payback period of three years as a hurdle rate for any new project and a weighted cost of
capital (WACC) of 5%, create an analysis of payback and discounted payback (use the WACC as the
discount rate) (AC 4.3)
(b) Create an analysis of the net present value (AC 4.3)
(c) Draw conclusions and make a decision based on the financial criteria (AC 2.2, 4.3 & 4.1)
Hard cash is not the only potential obstacle when considering whether or not to embark on a new
project. Any investors will need convincing that the project is feasible within a reasonable time-frame.
This is where project management, network diagrams and critical path analysis comes into play.
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Stage Process Dependent Tasks Time to
Completion
A ? ? ?
B ? ? ?
C ? ? ?
D ? ? ?
E ? ? ?
F ? ? ?
G ? ? ?
An example table – do NOT use this data – use your own based on your own data set and your imagination…
Stage Process Dependent Tasks Time to
Completion
A Market research & analysis of required resources None 60 days
B Hiring of new staff/retaining existing staff A 90 days
C Acquisition of new vehicles A 30 days
D Kitting out vehicles in new company livery A, C 21 days
E Staff induction and H & S training A, B 14 days
F Extending and opening new on-site spa facilities A, B, E 180 days
G Promoting new services A, B, C, D, E, F 30 days
(d) Using your table, prepare a network diagram including a clearly highlighted critical pathway for
your series of project stages. Place this work in an appendix. Explain if the project can be
delivered on time if the acceptable time frame is 12 months or less. (AC 4.2)
Final advice:
To gain Merit and Distinction grades it is important to demonstrate that you fully understand the
underlying concepts and theoretical ideas – so you should not only write down the figures but then
explain the supporting concepts and interpret what these calculations actually mean – in a business
decision-making sense. Also, remember to fully abide by the Harvard referencing notation - see the
Study Skills section on ilearn. Make presentations polished and professional. Cover issues such as
bias when discussing samples and surveys. In short, do the ‘nuts and bolts’ calculations, explain the
underlying concepts, justify the meaning of those figures and generally give a deeper, more rounded
answer.
Student Guidelines
1. You should write this assignment using standard Microsoft Office software – to ensure that the tutor
can easily open and thus mark your work. No point doing a great assignment if the tutor cannot open
and read that work. Therefore, use MS Excel for any spreadsheet work, MS PowerPoint for any
presentation work and MS Word for the main assignment document. You should submit a SINGLE
Word document containing ALL your assignment work – so embed the spreadsheet and presentation
files as well as including appropriate (annotated) screenshots as part of your narrative. If unsure, email
your tutor. Structure your assignment in the same way as outlined here and clearly label all tasks. There
is a guide on embedding files on the discussion forum. Email me if still unsure.
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2. You must ensure that the submitted assignment is all your own work and that all sources used are
correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of academic unfair practice.
(See the Student Handbook which is in the Induction Area). Please also refer to the ‘Guide to Unfair
Practice in Assessment’ on the module page on ilearn.
3. You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and wide ranging
academic research and ensure this is referenced using the Arden University (AU) Harvard system. The
My Study Skills Area contains the following useful resources:
Guide to Harvard Referencing
http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf
Guide to Harvard Citation
http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Guide_to_Harvard_Citation.pdf
You must use the AU Harvard Referencing method in your assignment.
4. You should use diagrams and tables of figures where appropriate ensuring to reference their source
using the AU Harvard Referencing method.
5. You are required to write your assignment within 3000 words in order for your research and
summarising skills to be developed, and for effective time management. You are required to ensure
that the assignment addresses all of the assessment tasks. In the interests of good academic practice,
an assignment submitted with excessive word counts (i.e. more than 10% in excess of the limit)
will be returned to you. You will be given a maximum of 48 hours to edit the work to reduce the word
count to the permitted maximum. In the event that the submission is still regarded as excessively
long then, in line with advice received from Pearson, we will be unable to accept it for marking
and you will receive a Refer grade for Non-Submission.
The word count excludes the title page, reference list and appendices. Where assessment
questions have been reprinted from the assessment brief these will also be excluded from the word
count. ALL other printed words ARE included in the word count. Printed words include those
contained within charts and tables.
6. Your assignment should be submitted as a single document (with Excel & Power Point files
embedded). For more information please see the “Guide to Submitting an Assignment” document
available on the module page on iLearn.
Recommended Additional Resources
Textbooks
Online CORE E-Book recommended for this course –
Davies, J., 2010. BTEC Level 4/5 HNC in Business [online]. UK: Pearson Higher Education.
Access to this E-Book is provided via the Vitalsource Bookshelf software – contact the Student Support Team for access code
BPP Learning Media. 2013. Business Essentials Business Decision Making. London: BPP Learning Media.
Curwen, J. and Slater, R., 2007. Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions. 6
th Edition. London: Cengage
Learning EMEA.
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Wisniewski, M. 2009. Quantitative Methods for Decision Makers. 5th Edition. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.
Online ‘library’ resource available via ilearn
EBSCO Business Source Complete
Search on key module terms – just like with Google
MyiLibrary
Search on key module terms again
Websites
General Business…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/higher/business_management/
http://www.theguardian.com/business/glossary-business-terms-a-z-jargon
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/business/specials/glossary/index.html
http://www.stat.berkeley.edu/~stark/SticiGui/Text/gloss.htm
http://stats.oecd.org/glossary/index.htm
Statistics…
http://stattrek.com/
http://www.statmethods.net/stATS/index.html
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/mathematics-and-statistics
Accounting…
http://www.accountingcoach.com/financial-ratios/explanation
http://accountingexplained.com/
http://www.accountingcoach.com/accounting-basics/explanation
Project Planning…
http://www.gantt.com/
http://www.pmi.org/learning/answersbytopic.aspx
Using Excel & PowerPoint…
https://support.office.com/en-in/article/Excel-2013-training-courses-videos-and-tutorials-aaae974d-3f47-41d9-895e-97a71c2e8a4a
https://support.office.com/en-ca/article/PowerPoint-2013-training-courses-videos-and-tutorials-bd93efc0-3582-49d1-b952-
3871cde07d8a
Assessment Criteria for Pass
To achieve a pass, you must meet all of the assessment criteria as stated
below. Failure to cover all of the assessment criteria will result in a referral
grade and you will be required to re-submit your assignment.
Further guidance on completion of your assignment can be found in the
guidance notes which are posted on the group learning space by your
module tutor. For additional support please post questions onto the group
learning space, or email shutchison@arden.ac.uk
Learning
Outcomes/
Assessment
Criteria
Criteria Met
For tutor use
(you may wish to
use this in your
preparation for
your assignment
submission)
LO1: Be able to use a variety of sources for the collection of data, both
primary and secondary.
1.1 Create a plan for the collection of primary and secondary data for a
given business problem.
3a, 3b
1.2 Present the survey methodology and sampling frame used. 3c
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1.3 Design a questionnaire for a given business problem 3d
LO2: Understand a range of techniques to analyse data effectively for
business purposes.
2.1 Create information for decision-making by summarizing data using
representative values.
1a, 1b, 1c, 2
2.2 Analyse the results to draw valid conclusions in a business context. 2, 3
2.3 Analyse data using measures of dispersion to inform a given business
scenario.
1a, 1b, 1c, 1d
2.4 Explain how quartiles, percentiles and the correlation coefficient are
used to draw useful conclusions in a business context.
1d, 1e, 2
LO3: Be able to produce information in appropriate formats for
decision-making in an organizational context.
3.1 Produce graphs using spreadsheet and draw valid conclusions based
on the information derived.
1a, 1b, 1c, 2
3.2 Create trend lines in spreadsheet graphs to assist in forecasting for
specified business information.
1e
3.3 Prepare a business presentation using suitable software and
techniques to disseminate information effectively
2
3.4 Produce a formal business report. 3
LO4: Be able to use software-generated information to make decisions
in an organization.
4.1 Use appropriate information-processing tools. 1, 3
4.2 Prepare a project plan for an activity and determine the critical path 4
4.3 Use financial tools for decision-making 1, 3
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Assessment Criteria for Merit
To achieve a Merit all of the Pass criteria need to be met, then the tutor will
assess whether you have met the Merit Criteria. Each of the Merit criteria
must have been met at least once within the assignment.
The following statements are examples of how a merit may be achieved, if
you do meet the Merit Criteria by showing you have reached this level in
other ways then credit will be awarded for this. You will need to meet M1,
M2, M3 at least once.
M1: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions
The student shows a critical appreciation of the theoretical aspects covered
in the module. This is particularly evidenced with reference to Task 1 by
interpreting the descriptive statistics and Task 2 by justifying strategies and
identifying possible bias.
1a-1e, 2
M2: Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques
The student shows high quality use of the formal presentation of their work
as either a presentation or as a report.
2
M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings
The student shows a high level of analytical skill, using statistics and other
tools to justify a business case and make solid recommendations,
particularly in tasks 2 and 3.
Harvard referencing is used correctly – as laid out in the RDI referencing
guidelines.
Students have completed work fully and on time.
2, 3
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Assessment Criteria for Distinction
To achieve a Distinction, you have met all of the Pass and the Merit
criteria. Each of the Distinction criteria must be met at least once within
the assignment.
The following statements are examples of how a Distinction may be
achieved, if you do meet the Distinction Criteria by showing you have
reached this level in other ways then credit will be awarded for this. You
will need to meet D1,D2,D3 at least once.
D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify validOrder Now
conclusions
The student shows a mastery of theoretical aspects covered in the module
by using tools and data to justify a strong business case. The use of
statistics is well contextualized and the presentation, discussion and
analysis of information is contextualized in terms of the business case.
Harvard referencing is used correctly – as laid out in the RDI referencing
guidelines.
Students have completed work fully and on time.
1, 3, 4
D2: Take responsibility for managing and organising activities
The student shows exceptional use of the formal presentation of their work
as either a presentation or as a report.
Students have completed work fully and on time.
2, 3
D3: Demonstrate convergent/lateral/ creative thinking
The student shows an exceptional level of analytical skill, using statistics
and other tools to justify a business case and make solid recommendations,
particularly in tasks 1, 2 and 3.
1a-1e, 2, 3, 4
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