STATISTICS FOR BUSINESS

Unit Guide

Trimester 3 2021
 MAT102 - STATISTICS FOR BUSINESS
TRIMESTER 3 2021

CONTACTS
Dr. Le Van Chon
Unit Instructor
levanchon@yahoo.com
An Nguyen
17 Pham Ngoc Thach Street, District 3, HCM City
Program Administrator Phone: 08 54465555
Email: an.nguyen@isb.edu.vn
(Ex: 124)

About Statistics For Business (MAT102)

UNIT OVERVIEW

This unit provides an introduction to statistics concepts and techniques for analyzing economic and
business problems. The unit will focus on practical business applications of statistical theory and
methods. Topics covered include exploratory data analysis, probability, statistical distributions,
sampling and sampling distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and regression.
Students will be exposed to these topics and how each applies to the business environment. The unit
is aimed to develop students’ quantitative reasoning skills and ability to solve statistical problems
using both manual computations and statistical software.

PRE-REQUISITES

None

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Assessment Information
UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
The table below outlines the unit learning outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. Upon completion of this
unit, students will be able to:

Visualize and statistically describe data, including discussion of tables, charts and basic measures of
1.
central tendency and variability.
Understand common probability distributions, particularly the Normal distribution, and how to
2.
calculate and interpret the mean, variance, and standard deviation of a distribution.

3. Understand sampling distributions, biased and unbiased estimates, and the Central Limit Theorem.
Calculate and interpret confidence intervals for population means and determine the appropriate
4.
sample size to obtain a confidence interval.

5. Understand the principles of hypothesis testing and hypothesis testing to test a mean or variance.

6. Use regression analysis to predict the value of a dependent variable.

7. Understand some applications of statistics in business.

8. Perform statistical analysis operations using statistics software like Excel, Stata, R.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

In line with its focus on assuring students’ skills in unit learning outcomes 1-7 above, this unit is also
responsible for introducing/developing/assuring the following program-level learning outcomes
(PLOs):

Knowledge & Application

1. Solid understanding and competency of appropriate application of business discipline-specific
knowledge.
Communication
2. Competency in professional written and oral communication suited to multiple audiences and
contexts.
Teamwork
3.
Effective collaboration in teamwork or other tasks in organizational settings.
Critical thinking
4.
Critical thinking through appropriate observing, analyzing and reasoning, etc.
Problem solving
5.
Effective and constructive problem solving.
Ethics
6.
An ethical perspective, including an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of organizations. 
7. Cultural Diversity
A global mindset, including an understanding of the different business settings, the ability to identify
foreign market potentials, to diagnose cross-cultural communication problems and propose

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appropriate solutions.

ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

VALUE
ASSESSMENT ITEM DUE DATE LEARNING OUTCOMES
(%)
Class attendance and participation
1. 10% ULO1-8
(Individual)
Two home assignments (individual) Midterm exam ULO1-8
date,
2. 20%
Final exam
date
3. Mid-term exam (individual) Session 8 20% ULO1-3
4. Final exam (individual) TBA 50% ULO1-7

Final marks and grades are subject to confirmation by the School Assessment Committees which
may scale, modify or otherwise amend the marks and grades for the unit, as may be required by
University policies. Group presentation (Group and Individual)

 Note: To successfully complete this unit, students must:

 Achieve a minimum of 50 marks;
 Complete all assessment items; and
 Attend 80 per cent of class time. See attendance requirements in the section of class policies
and rules below.

Assessment 1: Class attendance & participation (10%)

Overview
Due: Ongoing throughout the duration of the course.
Details
Class attendance and participation includes coming to class prepared and on time, taking
part in class discussions (this involves listening/reading as well as writing/speaking and
completing all in-class activities), asking questions, contributing your knowledge and
insights in whatever form is appropriate, and striving to make all your contributions
excellent. It also includes doing the required reading and writing for each class.
Attendance is checked using fingerprint scanners. You are permitted no more than 20%
absences during the term. Coming late by 15 minutes at the beginning of the class,
coming late by 5 minutes after the break, or leaving prior to the scheduled end time
without the permission of the lecturer will equate to an absence.

Assessment 2: Two home assignments (20%)

Overview
Due: The first assignment is due by the Midterm exam date, and the second assignment is due by the
Final exam date.
Length: On average, a student needs about 20 hours for each homework assignment.

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Details
The objective of this form of assessment is to encourage students maintain their learning
from the outset rather than delay learning until major assessment events. This also helps
students get acquainted with different exercises and real -world problems that may be
included in the exams or occur in their work life.

There are 3 or 4 exercises in each chapter . One assignment contains questions in chapters
covered before the midterm, and the other before the final. Make sure your submission
includes a MS word file which contains solution arguments, together with the data outputs
from statistical software like Excel, Stata, or R. For the latter two softwares, please add
your commands.
Marking criteria and standards
For homework assignments, the assessment criteria for each question are the correctness
and the completeness of the solution given by the student. Marks will not only be given for
final answers, but for the argument leading to a solution and support data, so you must
make sure that you explain all steps of your solution and provide appropriate output data.

Assessment 3: Mid-term exam (Individual) (20%)

Overview
Due: Session 8
Length: 90 minutes

Details
The mid-session exam will be held in Session 8. It is an open-book exam. The goal of this
assessment is to give students feedback on how well they demonstrate an understanding of
the topics covered in sessions 1 to 7. The mid-term exam will contains 50 multiple choice
questions, each question has four choices and only one of them is the correct answer. You
may select one and only one answer for each question. You will have 90 minutes to
complete the mid-term exam.
Marking criteria and standards
Correctness is the primary criterion for this assessment. The number of correct answers is
converted to the 10-scale by the following formula:

Mid-term score = (number of correct answers – 12.5)*10/ 37.5.

The logic behind this is that by randomly selecting an answer, your likelihood of selecting
the correct one is about 25% (1 correct answer in 4 available choices). Thus certain
deduction is needed to truly reflect your performance.

Assessment 4: Final exam (Individual) (50%)

Overview
Due: TBA
Length: 90 minutes
Details
The final exam is a open-book exam. Students are allowed to use calculators approved by the ISB.

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The goal of this assessment is to give students feedback on how well they demonstrate an
understanding of the topics covered in the whole course. The final exam will contain 30 multiple
choice questions and 6 short-answer questions. The multiple choice questions account for 65% of the
total score and the short answer questions account for the other 35%. You will have 120 minutes to
complete the exam.

General submission requirements

1. Assignment cover sheet
 All assignments are to be submitted with an Assignment Cover Sheet. Group assignments
are to be submitted with a Group Assignment Cover Sheet as well as a Peer Evaluation
Form. Non-contributing team members can sometimes be an issue with group-work
structured assessment. Individual student group work scores may be adjusted as a result of
peer dissatisfaction with a particular student’s contribution to group work assignments, as
reflected in submissions of the evaluation form.
 Note: Assignment cover sheets and the evaluation form can be located on E-learning system
 (http://elearning.isb.edu.vn/). Students are to keep a copy of all assignments submitted for
marking.
2. Submission style and method
 A professional standard of presentation is expected for all assignments. Assignments should
be typed, one and a half spaced, on A4 paper. Use a simple clear format, suitable for a report
to senior management in a commercial organisation.
 All assignments are required to be submitted electronically via E-learning system
 (http://elearning.isb.edu.vn/) by 11:55 PM on the due date and if required, in hard copies to
the unit coordinator by the due date. The title of assignment submitted via E-learning system
shall be as follows:
 Student name_Unitname_Name of Assignment.
3. Late assignment and make-up policy
 Coursework and assignments are expected to be completed within the stated time frame. No
late assignments will be accepted unless prior authorisation granted by the coordinator. In
case such an authorisation is not granted, grade deduction will be applied. The coordinator
may decide not to accept assignments that are not submitted within 3 days after the
assignment due date. However, if there are extenuating or unforeseen circumstances, an
exception may be granted at the discretion of the unit coordinator and based on a Special
Consideration Application for assessment task extension.
 All quizzes, the mid-term test, and final exam must be taken on the assigned dates. If there
are extenuating or unforeseen circumstances, the unit coordinator must be contacted prior to
the quiz or exam dates to authorize a make-up if required. No make-up quiz or exam will be
accepted unless a prior approval granted by the unit coordinator based on a Special
Consideration Application for a supplementary examination.

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Teaching Activities
LEARNING RESOURCES

Textbook  Doane, D. P. & Seward, L. E. (2016). Applied Statistics in Business and Economics (5th ed.).
McGraw Hill International Edition.

Reference  Berenson, M. L., David M. L., & Timothy, C. K. (2014). Basic Business Statistics (9th ed.).
Prentice-Hall.
Reading  Additional reading materials could be handed out in the class. Doane & Seward

ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES

E-library http://search.proquest.com/login
Username: UEHCMC2010
Password: thuvien0810

E-learning http://elearning.isb.edu.vn/

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

READINGS &
Session PROGRAM SCHEDULE
ACTIVITIES
Topic1: Overview of Statistics
 Introduction to statistics Doane & Seward
1
 Why study statistics (2016), chapter 1
 Statistical Challenges
Topic 2: Data Collection
 Level of Measurement
 Time series versus Cross-sectional data Doane & Seward
2
 Sampling concepts (2016), chapter 2
 Sampling methods
 Data Sources and Survey
Topic 3: Describing Data Visually
Doane & Seward
 Visual description
(2016), chapter 3
 Dot plots
accompanying with
3&4  Frequency distributions and Histograms computer practices
 Excel Charts, line charts, pie charts (students bring
 Scatter plots their own laptops)
 Deceptive graphs
5&6 Topic 4: Descriptive Statistics Doane & Seward
 Numerical Description (2016), chapter 4
 Central tendency: mean, mode, median accompanying with
computer practices
 Dispersion: Variance, Coefficient variation
(students bring
 Standardized data
their own laptops)
 Percentiles, Quartiles, and Box Plots

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READINGS &
Session PROGRAM SCHEDULE
ACTIVITIES
 Correlation and Covariance
 Grouped data
 Skewness and Kurtosis
Topic 5: Probability
 Random experiments and probability
 Rules of probability: Marginal, union, join and
conditional probabilities Doane & Seward
 Independent events (2016), chapter 5
7
 Addition and multiplication laws
 Contingency tables
 Tree diagrams
 Bayes’ Theorem
 Counting Rules
Mid-term exam Doane & Seward
8 (In charged by Academic Tutor) (2016), chapters 1-
5
Topic 6: Discrete Probability Distributions Doane & Seward
 Discrete distributions vs. continuous distributions (2016), chapter 6
 Expected value, variance and standard deviation of a
discrete distributions
 Uniform distributions
9 & 10
 Bernoulli distributions
 Binomial distributions
 Poisson distributions
 Hypergeometric distribution
 Geometric distribution
Topic 7: Continuous Probability Distributions
Doane & Seward
 Uniform continuous distribution (2016), chapter 7
 Normal distribution
11 & 12  Standard normal distribution
 Normal Approximations
 Exponential distributions

Topic 8: Sampling Distributions and Estimation

Doane & Seward
 Sampling variation
(2016), chapter 8
 Estimators and sampling distributions
 Sample mean and the central limit theorem
 Confidence interval for a mean (µ) with known
13 & 14 population variance () and with unknown 
 Confidence interval for a proportion (π)
 Sample size determination for a mean and for a
proportion
 Confidence interval for a population variance, 2
 Feedback from mid-term

15 Topic 9: One-sample hypothesis tests Doane & Seward

 Logic of hypothesis test (2016), chapter 9
 Statistical hypothesis testing
 Testing a mean: known population variance and

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READINGS &
Session PROGRAM SCHEDULE
ACTIVITIES
unknown population variance
 Testing a proportion

16 Final exam: TBA

Tutorial
Tutorials following the lecture in each session provide students the opportunity to apply and share
knowledge by doing a variety of in-class activities individually or in group such as exercises,
discussion, and presentation. These activities focus on demonstrating your skills and help you build
your ability to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit.
Tutorial questions/exercises will be provided in class. You will be expected to have completed
specific reading and exercises from the textbook and other required materials prior to attending each
lecture and tutorial class. If you have not prepared adequately, you will not get the full benefit from
this learning opportunity.

General Information & Policy

Referencing
Plagiarism

Student assignments are to contain original content created by the students. Assignments will be
rejected if they include plagiarized content or contain excessive amounts of quoted/cited material
and minimal original content. Students will receive a grade of ZERO (0%) for any assignments
rejected for this reason. Written assignments WILL BE checked by the lecturer with Turnitin.com,
an online plagiarism-checking tool.
Sources

Furthermore, your reference to support your statements must be from a reliable source, such as
textbooks, additional reading materials, and reference books. However, many websites are not
reliable sources. Examples are Wikipedia.org, about.com, and ask.com. If you are not sure if a
reference is acceptable or not, please contact the lecturer.
Referencing & Citation

The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) 6th ed., will serve as
the primary reference materials for all students. Therefore, all papers must be submitted in APA
format. The mechanics of student papers and work will be evaluated, as well as the content.

Submission
Assignment cover sheet

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 All assignments are required to be submitted with an Assignment Cover Sheet.

 Group assignments are to be submitted with a Group Assignment Cover Sheet as well as a
Peer Evaluation Form depending on the request of unit instructor.
Non-contributing team members can sometimes be an issue with group-work structured assessment.
Individual student group work scores may be adjusted as a result of peer dissatisfaction with a
particular student’s contribution to group work assignments, as reflected in submissions of the
evaluation form.
Note:
 Assignment cover sheets and the evaluation form can be located on MyISB system
 Students are advised to keep a copy of all assignments submitted for marking.

Submission style

Assignments are expected to achieve a professional standard:

 Be typed, one and a half spaced, on A4 paper
 Use a simple clear format, suitable for a report to senior management in a commercial
organisation.

Submission method
Soft copy: submitted electronically via E-learning system by 11:55 PM on the due date (Suggested
title: Student name_Unitname_Name of Assignment).
Hard copy: submitted to ISB Submission Box at the Reception Area (17 Pham Ngoc Thach) by the
due date.

Late assignment and make-up policy

No late assignments will be accepted unless prior authorization granted by the Academic
Department based on a Special Consideration Application for assessment task extension.
Students must complete all assessments on the assigned dates including quizzes, mid-term test, and
final exam. If there are extenuating or unforeseen circumstances, students must follow the school’s
policies and procedures accordingly.

Attendance
Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of all classes (which normally 12/15 sessions).
Other cases equating to an absence:
 Arriving to class late by 15 minutes at the beginning,
 Arriving late by 5 minutes after the break
 Leaving prior to the scheduled end time without the permission of the lecturer
If you are unable to attend any session, please let your lecturer know AND submit a request for
absence form to program administrator prior to the session.

 IMPORTANT: Students will not be allowed to sit in the final examination if violating the
above absence rule.

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Electronic device use

 Cell phones will be turned off or switched to vibrate mode before class starts.
 No phone calls or text messaging are allowed inside classroom during class time.
 Portable listening and/or music devices may not be operated in the classroom.
 Headphones and/or ear buds of any type may not be worn while in the classroom whether
operating or not.
 Laptop and other electronic devices are not permitted unless specifically authorised by the
lecturer exclusively for note taking and doing class work.

 IMPORTANT: If you are in violation of these policies you will be excused from class and an
absence will be assessed.

Email etiquette
Your lecturers receive many emails each day. In order to enable them to respond to your emails
appropriately and in a timely fashion, students are asked to follow basic requirements of professional
communication.
Your emails should:
 Have a concise and descriptive title, including the class and name of the unit you are
enquiring about
 Be clear about the intention of their emails
 Use appropriate tone and language, proof-read what is written in the email before sending it.
Students should also allow 3-4 working days for a response before following up. If the matter is
legitimately urgent, you may indicate “URGENT” in the email subject header.
Make an appointment: If your email request is complex and requires a lengthy response it may be
probably best to make an appointment with your lecturer/instructor to meet in person.

Student behaviour guidelines

Everyone must behave professionally. Students are expected to demonstrate respect for teacher and
fellow students at all times. Behaviour that is disruptive to a positive learning environment reported
to the teacher will result in a warning on the first instance; the second instance might result in a
failing grade along with expulsion from the school.
Unacceptable behaviors can be:
 Cheating on an exam
 Collaborating with others on work to be presented, if contrary to the stated rules of the
course
 Submitting, if contrary to the rules of the course, work previously submitted in another
course
 Knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above actions, including
assistance in an arrangement whereby work, classroom performance, examination, or other
activity is submitted or performed by a person other than the student under whose name the
work is submitted or performed
 Plagiarism

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 IMPORTANT:
 First violation will result in a grade ZERO (0%) for that assignment.
 Second violation will result in a failing course grade.

Disability support services

Students with disabilities are advised that accommodations and services are available at UEH-ISB. It
is the student's responsibility to contact UEH-ISB office and submit appropriate documentation prior
to receiving such services.

Additional information
This unit guide may be revised at the discretion of the Academic Department with approval from
Program Academic Director and School Academic Committee where appropriate.

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