Business Analysis

Module Title	Business Analysis
Module Code	25-4001-00L (BTEC = 25-4H01-00S/L)
Semester of Delivery	See Module Information Table
Mandatory/Elective/Option	See Module Information Table
Level	4
Credit Points	20
Assessment Mode Weighting	Coursework	60%
	Examination	40%
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
Class Contact Hours
Average Weekly	1.5
Directed Learning
Average Weekly	5
Module Leader	Muriel Eddowes
	Sheffield Business School
Module Banding	A
Approval Status	Validated

Rationale

An effective manager, in a business context, should be able to handle, analyse, interpret and evaluate the data which are generated internally and externally to an organisation. The managerial decision making process is greatly enhanced if these activities provide timely and relevant information.

With the increased emphasis on rapid business and technological developments to gain competitive advantage, it is even more important for business managers to be confident and competent in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and to be able develop their skills in order to adapt to demands as they arise.

In this context, the unit develops basic mathematical and statistical knowledge and skills which are currently taught at GCSE level together with the computing skills which students should have acquired from a variety of sources. It is recognised that some students entering the institution have already successfully studied a significant proportion of the basic techniques developed in this unit but may not be familiar with the application of these techniques to business problems and the provision of management information. The flexibility of the teaching & learning strategy proposed will give those students with a mathematics or computing at 'A' level an opportunity to develop and strengthen their expertise by tackling more realistic and demanding problems.

Summary of Aims

1 To provide students with an introduction to a range of mathematical, statistical and computing techniques required to collect, analyse, interpret and use data in a business context.
2 To enable students to develop competencies in these techniques.
3 To enable students to develop the appropriate analytical and communication skills needed for the interpretation and reporting management information.


Anticipated Learning Outcomes (degree students)

On completion of the unit, the student should be able to:
1 identify and apply a range of quantitative skills including data collection and analysis, interpretation and extrapolation.
2 select appropriate quantitative methods to assist in the solving of business problems.
3 construct and apply quantitative models to describing and predicting business scenarios.
4 demonstrate the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) appropriately and effectively in typical business applications.
5 present in an appropriate way the results of business analyses.

Anticipated Learning Outcomes (BTEC students)

On completion of the unit, the student should be able to:
1 Apply numerical skills and techniques.
2 Identify and solve routine and non-routine problems.
3 Deal with a combination of routine and non-routine tasks.
4 Use a range of technological equipment and systems.
5 Present information in a variety of visual forms.

Assessment and Feedback Strategy

Students will be given feedback on their progress in the achievement of the learning outcomes for the module via the normal tutorial activities and by formal assessment. Opportunities to obtain formative feedback on progress will be provided via self administered, computer based tests accessed via the Business Analysis Blackboard site.
Coursework (60% weighting) will be used to assess students ability to apply their knowledge and techniques. As well as the self administered tests, there will be case study based projects. Students will be required to research and analyse appropriate data from problematic business situations and present their suggestions for action which could be taken. Verbal and written feedback will be provided.
Students knowledge and understanding of the module as a whole will be assessed by an unseen examination (40% weighting).

Unit Assessment Criteria

See grid attached
In the assignments the students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of a technique by the application of a particular area of study to a simple business problem. Marks will be awarded for:

" suitability of the analysis and the appropriateness of the application
" effectiveness of the research
" correctness of the calculations
" appropriateness of the discussion and reporting of the outcomes
" suitability of the presentation
In the examination the questions will assess the student's ability to perform calculations using the techniques studied and their ability to explain and interpret the results of these calculations.

Teaching and Learning Strategy and Methods

Weekly lectures will be used to introduce each topic and to discuss key points. These lectures will be aimed at students entering with a good GCSE grade in mathematics. Additional support will be provided for those students who are non-standard entrants, e.g. mature students, via guided Computer Based Learning materials.

Tutorials/computer workshops will be used to develop the topics and to explore the business applications of the material covered. Opportunities will be available for formative feedback to be given on progress.

Students will be expected to develop their knowledge and skills further by means of guided self-study, using both written and computer based materials, in particular they will be expected to use the European Computer Driving Licence software or equivalent.

For those students who, at the beginning of the unit, can demonstrate a satisfactory standard in the mathematical, statistical or computing skills required, opportunities will be given for more independent study and the consideration of applications of a more demanding nature.

As suitable material becomes available, guided computer based learning will be incorporated to support the necessary quantitative techniques in the unit. Different materials will be used to provide additional support for the less experienced student; additional practice and formative assessment of each topic; development work for the more experienced students.

Use will be made of the SHU Key Skills-On Line materials to help in the development of numerical, IT and report writing skills.

Indicative Content

Appropriate ICT and software packages will be used in all the following, e.g. e-mail, Internet, spreadsheets, statistical analysis software, ECDL
elementary principles of problem solving:
understanding data and evidence: exploratory data analysis, graphs and charts,
applied to transactional, aggregated, selected and time series data.
basic statistical analysis: summary measures, analysis of variance,
data collection methods: surveys, questionnaires, direct measurement, published statistical sources.
basic methods and models for understanding data: prediction, regression analysis
basic models and methods for evaluating options: cost models,
understanding the nature and role of ICT:
use of ICT: MS Office software, spreadsheets, CD ROM databases, e mail; WWW
basic research skills: searching databases

Indicative Reading List

Each year the Tutorial Guide will contain a revised list of indicative texts which are suitable to support the unit. There are many suitable texts available in the Learning Centre and it is important that students find material which suits their own taste.

Assessment Criteria

See next page.

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criterion(where assessed)	Level descriptors
		fail	PASS	2.2	2.1	First
Outcome 1	Aspects will be assessed in both coursework and examination	Little or no basic knowledge of methods of collecting, organising or processing data	Some basic knowledge of methods of collecting, organising or processing data	Good knowledge of methods of collecting, organising and processing data	Appropriate and correct data collection and organisation. Good knowledge of methods of processing data relevant to the situation.	Extensive knowledge of methods of collecting organising data Imaginative and informative data processing.
Outcome 2	Aspects will be assessed in both coursework and examination1	Little or no basic knowledge of appropriate methods.	Some knowledge of appropriate methods	Good knowledge of appropriate methods	Substantive applied use of appropriate methods for analysis	Wide-ranging applied use of appropriate methods for analysis
Outcome 3	Aspects will be assessed in both coursework and examination1	Incorrectly apply the chosen model. Many errors both process and arithmetical	Mostly correct use of the chosen model. Some errors both process and arithmetical	Correctly apply the chosen model. Very few errors of process or arithmetic.	Correctly apply the chosen model. One or two arithmetic errors only	Correctly apply the chosen model with no errors. Tailor the application fully to the business problem.
Outcome 4	Aspects will be assessed in all coursework	Poor competence in the use of ICT. Little understanding of the business applications of the software	Basic competence in the use of ICT. Some ability to apply ICT to business applications.	Good level of competence in the use of ICT. Clear understanding of the business applications.	Good level of competence in the use of ICT. Good understanding of appropriate and effective business applications.	High level of competence in the use of ICT. Well developed and creative use of ICT in business applications.
Outcome 5	Aspects will be assessed in both coursework and examination	No attempt to present work in an appropriate format. Poor written/ presentation skills.	Some attempt to present work in an appropriate format. Basic written/ presentation skills.	Clear and appropriate presentation; easy to follow.	Good presentation in an appropriate format. Very easy to follow.	Very good presentation in an appropriate and imaginative format which is helpful to the reader/audience.

Assessment Criteria - BTEC students

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criterion (where assessed)	Level descriptors
		< 40%	40 - 55% Pass	56 - 69% Merit	70%+ Distinction
Outcome 1 Apply numerical skills and techniques.	Aspects will be assessed in both coursework and examination*	Little or no basic knowledge of methods of collecting, organising or processing data	Some basic knowledge of methods of collecting, organising or processing data	Appropriate and correct data collection and organisation. Good knowledge of methods of processing data	Extensive knowledge of methods of collecting organising data Imaginative and informative data processing.
Outcome 2 Identify and solve routine and non-routine problems.	Aspects will be assessed in both coursework and examination*	Little or no basic knowledge of appropriate methods.	Some knowledge of appropriate methods	Good knowledge of appropriate methods	Substantive applied use of appropriate methods for analysis
Outcome 3 Deal with a combination of routine and non-routine tasks	Aspects will be assessed in both coursework and examination*	Incorrectly apply the chosen model. Many errors both process and arithmetical	Mostly correct use of the chosen model. Some errors both process and arithmetical	Correctly apply the chosen model. Very few errors of process or arithmetic.	Correctly apply the chosen model with no errors. Tailor the application to the business problem.
Outcome 4 Use a range of technological equipment and systems.	Aspects will be assessed in all coursework*	Poor competence in the use of ICT. Little understanding of the business applications of the software	Basic competence in the use of ICT. Some ability to apply ICT to business applications.	Good level of competence in the use of ICT. Clear understanding of the business applications.	Good level of competence in the use of ICT. Good understanding of appropriate and effective business applications.
Outcome 5 Present information in a variety of visual forms	Aspects will be assessed in both coursework and examination*	No attempt to present work in an appropriate format. Poor written/ presentation skills.	Some attempt to present work in an appropriate format. Basic written/ presentation skills.	Clear and appropriate presentation; easy to follow.	Very good presentation in an appropriate format which is helpful to the reader/audience.

* Each year the unit learning scheme will contain a precise listing for that year.