Quantitative Business Research Methods I (RBUS6902)

Course overview

Students will be exposed to a key element of the research process - data analysis. They will gain hands-on skills to analyze quantitative data and offer solutions to the research questions posed. This course provides students with an introduction to the fundamentals of multivariate data analysis. Students will acquire skills in the analysis of multivariate data from experimental and survey designs commonly used in business research. The course mainly deals with the techniques of analysis of variance, multiple regression analysis and factor analysis, and with their specific application to research in the applied business disciplines (eg. accounting, business information systems, international business, management, marketing, etc.). Emphasis is placed on the concepts and statistical theory of multivariate data analysis, along with a refresher on the basics of univariate analysis: descriptive and inferential statistical procedures. This practical and applied course is lab-based with a mix of short seminar style presentations and instruction in the use of statistical packages for specifying and estimating models involving multivariate data analysis.

This courseﾠis aimed at closing the widening statistics gap confronting research students. Business journals are becoming increasingly sophisticated. For example, at least one in five papers in the very top marketing/management journals uses quantitative modelling techniques. To read and critically evaluate the research output in leading journalsﾠstudents must develop knowledge of quantitative methods.ﾠ

RBUS6902 would be useful to students who wish to develop skills in the analysis of multivariate data from experimental and survey designs. Such data analysis skills are in high demand both in the industry and academia. This course will provide an introduction to multivariate data analysis with a specific emphasis on (a)ﾠthe fundamentals of multiple regression (i.e., foundational concepts and statistical theory) and, (b)ﾠfactor analysis. RBUS6902 will offer students a mix of classroom- and lab-based learning experiences. The lab sessions will have the purpose of providing students with an introduction to the application of multivariate data analysis. However, the course will begin withﾠfundamental concepts of univariate and bivariate analysis to develop a proper foundation for understanding multivariate data analysis. The course will also introduce students to the statistical software SPSS.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Completion of the pre-requisite courses is assumed.ﾠThis course is designed for students intending to undertake an honours year in business management. Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of statistical analysis taught at the undergraduate level.

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

RBUS3902 or 7902

Restrictions

BAdvBus(Hons), BBusMan(Hons), BIHTM(Hons), GCResMeth, GCBusRMeth, GDipBRM, PhD, MPhil programs. To enrol: BAdvBus(Hons) students must email bel@uq.edu.au; MCommun (Org. Commun) students must email info@business@uq.edu.au. Min 10 enrolments.

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Please note: Teaching staff doﾠnotﾠhave access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you emailﾠbusiness.mytimetable@uq.edu.auﾠfrom your UQ student email account with the following details:

• Full name,
• Student ID, and
• the Course Code

Aims and outcomes

The course aims to prepare research students to develop knowledge of the research process as well as for reading and writing for leadingﾠjournals by developing and deepeningﾠtheir understanding of multivariate data analysis. The course will help research students to better prepare for future academic careers as independent researchers.

We begin with understanding the research process, including defining research questions, and contemplating a method to answer those questions by collecting, managing, and analysing relevant data.ﾠ

Learning data analysis will begin withﾠa revision of fundamentals of statistics and basic univariate and bivariate analysis.ﾠ

We then discuss formulating, estimating, and interpreting multiple regression equations. This will be followed up by factor analysis. Both these techniques are vital in their own rights as well as for understanding more advanced techniques such as Structural Equation Modelling.ﾠ

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Report

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

40%

Due date

13/09/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

The assessment will be submitted via Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Report

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

60%

Due date

8/11/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

The assessment will be submitted via Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.