Quantitative Techniques in Business (QTB) LSC4003

Quantitative Techniques in Business (QTB) LSC4003

PROGRAMME: BA Business Studies
SEMESTER: Semester One
ACADEMIC YEAR PERIOD: December 2015 –March2016

Assessment Type
Assessment Type Weight
Coursework – 3000 Words 40%
Examination – 2 Hours [Closed Book] 60%

Assignment Question:
‘BlueChips’ is a franchise store that sells computers, software and hardware supplies. The following is the data about 12 franchise stores. You are being asked to analyse the following data in order to help to set up a new store.

Region ANS SQFF VSI(£’000) ADVERT(£’000) SALD NOMP
A 231 3 294 8.2 8.2 11
B 156 2.2 232 6.9 4.1 12
C 299 3.1 512 8.1 10.1 10
D 570 5.4 788 17.4 12.3 1
E 437 4.4 567 10.6 14.1 5
F 428 4.2 577 10.5 14 7
G 98 1.6 151 4.6 2.7 10
H 398 4.3 342 5.5 16 4
I 161 2.6 196 7.2 6.3 13
J 528 5.6 615 12.3 16 0
K 400 8.6 517 7 12 8

Key
ANS Annual net sales, in thousands of pounds
SQFF Number of square feet of floor display in store, in thousands of square feet
VSI Value of store inventory, in thousands of pounds
ADVERT Amount spent on local advertising, in thousands in pounds
SALD Size of sales district, in thousands of families
NOMP Number of competing or similar stores in sales district
Required:
Task 1 : Graphs
Use relevant graphs to represent each of the following and examine them:
(i) ANS and SALD
(ii) SQFF and VSI
(iii) ADVERT and SALD
(iv) ANS and ADVERT

Task 2 : Correlation Analysis
Perform a correlation analysis for ANS; ADVERT and SALD and examine the strength of relationship between them. Support your discussion with the relevant literature.

Task 3 : Regression Analysis
With the aid of linear regression, develop a model for the company using annual sales as the dependent variable. Your regression should be conducted at the 95% confidence level (or 5% level of significance). Support your discussion with the relevant literature.
Report Writing
1. Introduction [300 words] o The objectives/ rationale for the assignment should be captured
o The key highlights should be captured etc.
2. Graphical Analysis [600 words] o Use relevant software tools to draw suitable graphs as specified in the Task 1
o Discuss the nature of the relationship from the resulting graphs
o Your discussion should be supported with some relevant literature
3. Correlation Analysis [800 words] o Use relevant software to produce a correlation matrix as specified in Task 2
o Examine the strength of relationship between the ratios
o Use relevant literature to support your discussion
4. Regression Analysis [800 words] o Use relevant software to perform the regression analysis as specified in Task 3
o Examine the resulting model using the relevant mechanisms such as goodness of fit; significance; the model and its interpretation etc.
o Use relevant literature to support your discussion
5. Conclusion and Recommendations [500 words] o Provide a suitable conclusion and recommendation for the entire discussion
o Ensure your conclusion represents a reflective summary for the discussion
6. Referencing
o Use Harvard referencing style should be strictly followed.
o Ensure your reference list include all citations in the text and others which may not be in the text (bibliography)
o Ensure that your references are coming from quality sources such as articles; textbooks and other peer-reviewed journals

Note: Reference List ; Tables and Figures are not part of the word count
Some Recommended Text
o Curwin J. and Slater R. (2007) Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions, (5thedn) Chapman& Hall

o Wisniewski, M (2010) Quantitative Methods for Decision Makers, (5th edn) FT Prentice Hall

o Lucey T (2002) Quantitative Techniques, Thomson Learning

o Oakshott L (2006),Essential Quantitative Methods for Business, Management and Finance, (3ndedn) Palgrave Macmillan

o Swift, L, Piff, S. (2010) Quantitative Methods for Business, Management and Finance, (3rd end) Palgrave

o Field, A. (2009). Discovering statistics using SPSS. Sage publications.

o Sekaran, U. (2006). Research methods for business: A skill building approach. John Wiley & Sons.

Marking Scheme
Component Maximum Marks(%) Comments
Introduction 5 An excellent introduction should provide clarity on the relevance of the report. It should also address the key highlights to be discussed in the report. One or two references should be included to add quality to presentation.
Graphical Analysis 20 An excellent presentation should clearly label the axes; the use of an appropriate scale; and proper titles given to graphs. The Discussion of the relationships with the aid of relevant literature will be the major indicator here.
Correlation Analysis 25 Candidate should demonstrate a clear understanding of the concept of correlation. Weak; Strong; Moderate and significant correlations should be given attention.
Regression Analysis 25 The interpretation of the regression output is the major focus for this component. Candidate should demonstrate their ability to link theory with the practice.
Conclusion & Recommendation 15 An excellent conclusion should provide a reflective summary of the entire presentation. Also the recommendation provided should be based on the findings of the analysis.
Overall Presentation 10 Referencing; grammar; visuals and formatting. The word count will also be taken into consideration.

Total 100