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A PowerPoint Presentation Package to AccompanyA PowerPoint Presentation Package to Accompany
Essential Statistics in Business and Essential Statistics in Business and EconomicsEconomics
by David P. Doane and Lori E. Sewardby David P. Doane and Lori E. Seward
Prepared by Lloyd R. JaisinghPrepared by Lloyd R. JaisinghMorehead State UniversityMorehead State University
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Overview of StatisticsOverview of StatisticsOverview of StatisticsOverview of Statistics
What is Statistics? Why Study Statistics? Uses of Statistics Statistical Challenges Writing and Presenting Reports Critical Thinking Statistics: An Evolving Field
1.1 What is Statistics?1.1 What is Statistics? 1.1 What is Statistics?1.1 What is Statistics?• StatisticsStatistics is the science of collecting, organizing, is the science of collecting, organizing,
analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data.analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data.• Some experts prefer to call statistics data science, a Some experts prefer to call statistics data science, a
trilogy of tasks involving data modeling, analysis, and trilogy of tasks involving data modeling, analysis, and decision making. decision making.
• AA statisticstatistic is a single measure (number) used to is a single measure (number) used to summarize a sample data set. For example, the average summarize a sample data set. For example, the average height of students in this class.height of students in this class.
• AA statisticianstatistician is an expert with at least a master’s degree is an expert with at least a master’s degree in mathematics or statistics or a trained professional in a in mathematics or statistics or a trained professional in a related field.related field.
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1.2 Why Study Statistics?1.2 Why Study Statistics? 1.2 Why Study Statistics?1.2 Why Study Statistics?
CommunicationCommunication
Computer SkillsComputer Skills
• Understanding the language of statistics facilitates communication and improves problem solving.
• The use of spreadsheets for data analysis and word processors or presentation software for reports which improves upon your existing skills.
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Why Study Statistics?Why Study Statistics?Why Study Statistics?Why Study Statistics?
Information ManagementInformation Management
Technical LiteracyTechnical Literacy
• Statistics help summarize large amounts of data and reveal underlying relationships.
• Career opportunities are in growth industries propelled by advanced technology. The use of statistical software increases your technical literacy.
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Why Study Statistics?Why Study Statistics? Why Study Statistics?Why Study Statistics?
Career AdvancementCareer Advancement
Quality ImprovementQuality Improvement
• Statistical literacy can enhance your career mobility.
• Statistics helps firms oversee their suppliers, monitor their internal operations and identify problems.
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1.3 Uses of Statistics1.3 Uses of Statistics1.3 Uses of Statistics1.3 Uses of Statistics
Two primary kinds of statistics:Two primary kinds of statistics:
Descriptive statisticsDescriptive statistics – the collection, organization, presentation and summary of data.
Inferential statisticsInferential statistics – generalizing from a sample to a population, estimating
unknown parameters, drawing conclusions, making decisions.
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Uses of StatisticsUses of Statistics Uses of StatisticsUses of Statistics
Overview of Statistics Overview of Statistics (Figure 1.1)(Figure 1.1)
• Know and follow accepted procedures, maintain data integrity, carry out accurate calculations, report procedures, protect confidentiality, cite sources and financial support.
• Hire consultants at the beginning of the project, when your team lacks certain skills or when an unbiased or informed view is needed.
Skills Needed for Success in BusinessSkills Needed for Success in Business(Table 1.1)(Table 1.1)
For initial job success
For long-range job success
Common weaknesses
Report-writing Managerial accounting Communication skills
Accounting principles
Managerial economics Writing skills
Mathematics Managerial finance Immaturity
Statistics Oral communication Unrealistic expectations
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1.5 Writing and Presenting 1.5 Writing and Presenting ReportsReports1.5 Writing and Presenting 1.5 Writing and Presenting ReportsReports
Rules for “Power” WritingRules for “Power” Writing
• Outline the report before you begin.
• Complete the report in sections.
• Ask trusted peers to review the report and make any necessary revisions.
• Be prepared to make multiple revisions.
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Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports
Writing StyleWriting Style
• Answer research question succinctly.
• List most important results first.
• Include section headings and avoid lengthy paragraphs.
• Provide clear data sources.
• Use appendices for technical information.
• Be stylistically consistent.
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Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports
Avoid JargonAvoid Jargon
Make It AttractiveMake It Attractive
• Present technical concepts so that others Present technical concepts so that others can understand them.can understand them.
• Reports should have a title page, Reports should have a title page, descriptive title, date, and author descriptive title, date, and author names.names.
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Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports
Watch Your Spelling and GrammarWatch Your Spelling and Grammar
• Get someone you trust to red-pencil your Get someone you trust to red-pencil your work. Don’t rely on software to catch all work. Don’t rely on software to catch all spelling and grammar errors.spelling and grammar errors.
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Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports
Organizing a Technical ReportOrganizing a Technical Report
Typical business report style includes:
• Executive SummaryExecutive Summary (1 page maximum)- Briefly describe task and goals, data and data sources, methods that were used, main findings and any limitations.
• IntroductionIntroduction (1 to 3 paragraphs)- Statement of the problem- Data sources and definitions- Methods utilized
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Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports
Organizing a Technical ReportOrganizing a Technical Report
Typical business report style includes:
• Body of the ReportBody of the Report (as long as necessary)- Discussion, explanations, interpretations- Tables and graphs, as needed
• ConclusionsConclusions (1 to 3 paragraphs)- Statement of findings (in order of importance)- Limitations (if necessary)- Future research suggestions
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Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports
Organizing a Technical ReportOrganizing a Technical Report
Typical business report style includes:• Bibliography and SourcesBibliography and Sources
• AppendicesAppendices (if needed for lengthy or technical material)
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Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports
• Tables should be Tables should be embedded in the embedded in the narrative near the narrative near the paragraph in which paragraph in which they are interpreted.they are interpreted.
• Number and title Number and title each table above the each table above the table, each graph table, each graph below the graph.below the graph.
Tables and GraphsTables and Graphs
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Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports
Rules for Presenting Oral ReportsRules for Presenting Oral Reports
• Select a few key points to convey.
• Use simple charts and diagrams.
• Emphasize using color and fonts creatively.
• Have backup slides or transparencies.
• Rehearse timing.
• Refer audience to written report for details.
• Imagine yourself in the audience.
• Avoid gratuitous jokes.
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Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports
The Three PsThe Three Ps
• PacePace yourself when presenting. Take your time, introduce yourself, your data and your project. Make the first minute count.
• PlanPlan what you are going to present. Organize your ideas with an outline. Keep it simple!
• PracticePractice before presenting to get the timing right. Consider videotaping yourself or practicing in front of peers.
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Writing and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting ReportsWriting and Presenting Reports
Pictures Help Make the PointPictures Help Make the Point
Pitfall 5: Assuming a Causal Link Based on ObservationsPitfall 5: Assuming a Causal Link Based on Observations
Pitfall 6: Making Generalizations about Pitfall 6: Making Generalizations about Individuals from Observations about GroupsIndividuals from Observations about Groups
• Be careful about drawing conclusions when no cause-and-effect link exists (e.g., most shark attacks occur between 12p.m. and 2p.m.).
• Avoid reading too much into statistical generalizations (e.g., men are taller than women).
Pitfall 8: Significance versus ImportancePitfall 8: Significance versus Importance
• Be careful about unconsciously or subtly allowing bias to color handling of data (e.g., heart disease in men vs. women).
• Statistically significant effects may lack practical importance (e.g., Austrian military recruits born in the spring average 0.6 cm taller than those born in the fall).
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1.7 Statistics: An Evolving Field1.7 Statistics: An Evolving Field1.7 Statistics: An Evolving Field1.7 Statistics: An Evolving Field
• Statistics is a relatively young field, having been Statistics is a relatively young field, having been developed mostly during the 20developed mostly during the 20thth century. century.
• Its mathematical frontiers continue to expand with the Its mathematical frontiers continue to expand with the aid of computers.aid of computers.
• Major recent developments includeMajor recent developments include- Exploratory data analysis (EDA)- Exploratory data analysis (EDA)- Computer-intensive statistics- Computer-intensive statistics- Design of experiments- Design of experiments- Robust product design- Robust product design- Advanced Bayesian methods- Advanced Bayesian methods- Graphical Methods…and more- Graphical Methods…and more