BSB131 Applied Business Analytics


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:BSB131
Credit points:12
Equivalent:BSB123 Data Analysis
Equivalent:BSD131
Coordinators:Andrew Paltridge | a.paltridge@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

Organisations use business analytics to understand and solve business problems, increase efficiency, leverage productivity, and ultimately enhance the business performance of organisations. This business core option unit introduces you to a practical framework for data collection, aggregation, processing, and modelling to transform data into business insights. You will gain knowledge of key business analytics methods and approaches, and build skills in using Excel to manage and analyse data sets — valuable competencies that will help you to improve decision-making in contemporary business environments across all business disciplines.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Apply a selection of methods to collect, aggregate and process business data from multiple sources. [KS 1.1, KS 1.2, HO 2.1]
  2. Present data and analysis results in effective forms to assist business decision making in a variety of industrial and organisational contexts. [KS 1.2, PC 3.1]
  3. Critically analyse data using a variety of methods and approaches to generate business insights and inform business decision making. [KS 1.2, HO 2.1, HO 2.2]
  4. Apply key principles and processes of business analytics for the creation of value from data. [HO 2.1, HO 2.2, SE 5.1]

Content

This unit cover two interrelated components of applied business analytics:

  1. Descriptive analytics; and
  2. Predictive analytics

Descriptive analytics covers topics related to data collection and data aggregation to aggregate and describe past and current trends of business. This part will introduce descriptive techniques and methods of presenting data to inform decision making.

Predictive analytics utilises theories of probability, likelihood, and the distribution of outcomes to understand factors that explain business patterns observed in past data and then build statistical models to predict and forecast future events, business outcomes and performance.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
1.2 Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise independent judgment and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
3.2 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

In this unit, you will learn by engaging in problem- and case-based activities designed to introduce you to key knowledge and skills that are relevant to different aspects and types of applied business analytics. You will explore how applied business analytics can be used to solve contemporary business problems to a variety of business careers.

This unit has a formal lecture (two hours) and computing tutorials (one and a half hours). Computing tutorials will involve Excel-based activities.

You will be expected to attend and contribute regularly to lecture and tutorials, and work through content and self-directed formative learning activities presented on the unit Canvas site before and after class to supplement your learning.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

The assessment tasks in this unit provide you with opportunities to:

  1. demonstrate your understanding of the key concepts, models, techniques, and principles of applied business analytics;
  2. develop higher order thinking skills in analysing business problems;
  3. practice problem solving skills; and
  4. enhance Excel usage skills.

Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Solving Tasks

Problem-solving exercises requiring the application of knowledge and problem-solving skills. Submissions will be from week 3 to week 8.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1; 1.2), HO (2.1)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 20
Length: Four problem-solving exercises; each exercise is worth 5%.
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Weeks 3-8
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 4

Assessment: Simulated Case Study

Write a research plan of business analytics. You need to synthesize your understanding of differing methods and models used in business analytics and apply your knowledge in a simulated consulting project, involving the identification of problems and articulate  analytical approaches and methods of data collection and analysis to provide potential solutions.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.1)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 35
Length: 2,000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 10
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Research Report

Write a research report involving:

  1. identifying business problems;
  2. collecting and aggregating data from different sources;
  3. analysing collected data;
  4. articulating proposed solutions to the business problems; and
  5. presenting research findings in a professional manner.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.1), SE (5.1)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 45
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Access to a laptop/computer and Microsoft Excel.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Evans, J.R., 2020. Business Analytics, Global Edition. Pearson Education Limited, Harlow, United Kingdom.

Other

Computer software - Microsoft Excel

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base


  1. Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks

2: Engineering Application Ability


  1. Relates to: Simulated Case Study

3: Professional and Personal Attributes


  1. Relates to: Simulated Case Study, Research Report

  2. Relates to: Research Report

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks, Simulated Case Study, Research Report

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: Simulated Case Study, Research Report

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks, Simulated Case Study, Research Report

KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: Simulated Case Study, Research Report

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: Research Report

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS05 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks, Simulated Case Study
  2. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks, Research Report
  3. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks, Simulated Case Study, Research Report
  4. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: Simulated Case Study, Research Report
  5. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Simulated Case Study, Research Report
  6. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: Research Report

BS06 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks, Simulated Case Study
  2. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks, Research Report
  3. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks, Simulated Case Study, Research Report
  4. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: Simulated Case Study, Research Report
  5. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Simulated Case Study, Research Report
  6. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: Research Report

PU51 Bachelor of Health Information Management

  1. Critically evaluate and apply theoretical and technical perspectives on health information management (HIM), applicable to professional practice to solve routine and emergent problems. [Knowledge, Practice]
    Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks
  2. Initiate effective approaches for engaging in critical thinking, decision making and problem solving that reflect diverse perspectives and culturally safe and responsive practice, encompassing evidence-based HIM solutions. [Practice, Values/Disposition
    Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks
  3. Employ digital capabilities in accessing, evaluating, utilising and communicating digital health information across a range of stakeholders, and intra- and inter-professional contexts that demonstrate independence, accountability, creativity and initiative as a HIM professional. [Practice, Values/Disposition]
    Relates to: Problem Solving Tasks