This book offers postgraduate and early career researchers in accounting and information systems a guide to choosing, executing and reporting appropriate data analysis methods to answer their research questions. It provides readers with a basic understanding of the steps that each method involves, and of the facets of the analysis that require special attention. Rather than presenting an exhaustive overview of the methods or explaining them in detail, the book serves as a starting point for developing data analysis skills: it provides hands-on guidelines for conducting the most common analyses and reporting results, and includes pointers to more extensive resources. Comprehensive yet succinct, the book is brief and written in a language that everyone can understand - from students to those employed by organizations wanting to study the context in which they work. It also serves as a refresher for researchers who have learned data analysis techniques previously but who need a reminder for the specific study they are involved in.
In Analysing Quantitative Survey Data, Jeremy Dawson introduces you to the key elements of analysing quantitative survey data using classical test theory, the measurement theory that underlies the techniques described in the book. The methodological assumptions, basic components and strengths and limitations of this analysis are explained and with the help of illustrative examples, you are guided through how to conduct the key procedures involved, including reliability analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Ideal for Business and Management students reading for a Master’s degree, each book in the series may also serve as reference books for doctoral students and faculty members interested in the method. Part of SAGE’s Mastering Business Research Methods series, conceived and edited by Bill Lee, Mark N. K. Saunders and Vadake K. Narayanan and designed to support researchers by providing in-depth and practical guidance on using a chosen method of data collection or analysis.
The study guide will provide the student with significant supplementary study materials. Each chapter contains key concepts, a review section, sample problems with step-by-step solutions, problems with answers and self-testing questions with answers.
An accessible introduction to the essential quantitative methods for making valuable business decisions Quantitative methods-research techniques used to analyze quantitative data-enable professionals to organize and understand numbers and, in turn, to make good decisions. Quantitative Methods: An Introduction for Business Management presents the application of quantitative mathematical modeling to decision making in a business management context and emphasizes not only the role of data in drawing conclusions, but also the pitfalls of undiscerning reliance of software packages that implement standard statistical procedures. With hands-on applications and explanations that are accessible to readers at various levels, the book successfully outlines the necessary tools to make smart and successful business decisions. Progressing from beginner to more advanced material at an easy-to-follow pace, the author utilizes motivating examples throughout to aid readers interested in decision making and also provides critical remarks, intuitive traps, and counterexamples when appropriate. The book begins with a discussion of motivations and foundations related to the topic, with introductory presentations of concepts from calculus to linear algebra. Next, the core ideas of quantitative methods are presented in chapters that explore introductory topics in probability, descriptive and inferential statistics, linear regression, and a discussion of time series that includes both classical topics and more challenging models. The author also discusses linear programming models and decision making under risk as well as less standard topics in the field such as game theory and Bayesian statistics. Finally, the book concludes with a focus on selected tools from multivariate statistics, including advanced regression models and data reduction methods such as principal component analysis, factor analysis, and cluster analysis. The book promotes the importance of an analytical approach, particularly when dealing with a complex system where multiple individuals are involved and have conflicting incentives. A related website features Microsoft Excel® workbooks and MATLAB® scripts to illustrate concepts as well as additional exercises with solutions. Quantitative Methods is an excellent book for courses on the topic at the graduate level. The book also serves as an authoritative reference and self-study guide for financial and business professionals, as well as readers looking to reinforce their analytical skills.
Readers don't need to be a mathematician to understand and maximize the power of quantitative methods! Written for the future or current business professional, QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR BUSINESS, 12E, International Edition by a powerhouse, award-winning author team makes it easy for readers to understand how to most effectively use quantitative methods to make intelligent successful decisions. The book's hallmark problem-scenario approach guides readers through the application of mathematical concepts and techniques, while memorable examples illustrate how and when to use the methods. Readers discover everything needed for success in working with quantitative methods, from a strong managerial orientation to instant online access to Excel worksheets for text examples; The Management Scientist v6.0 and TreePlan; Crystal Ball; Premium Solver for Excel, and LINGO.
Written in a lecture format with solved problems at the end of each chapter, this book surveys quantitative modeling and decision analysis techniques. It serves to familiarize the reader with quantitative techniques utilized in planning and optimizing complex systems, as well as students experiencing the subject for the first time. It can be used by students of business and public administration without a background in calculus as well as engineers with significant scientific training. It allows the reader to comprehend the material through examples and problems and also demonstrates the value and shortcomings of many methods. Quantitative Analysis: An introduction developed out of the author's experience teaching the material to students at the University of California Los Angeles, California State University, Northridge, and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
This introductory textbook presents research methods and data analysis tools in non-technical language. It explains the research process and the basics of qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including procedures and methods, analysis, interpretation, and applications using hands-on data examples in QDA Miner Lite and IBM SPSS Statistics software. The book is divided into four parts that address study and research design; data collection, qualitative methods and surveys; statistical methods, including hypothesis testing, regression, cluster and factor analysis; and reporting. The intended audience is business and social science students learning scientific research methods, however, given its business context, the book will be equally useful for decision-makers in businesses and organizations.
The new edition of Quantitative Methods for Business and Management offers a complete introductory course in Quantitative Methods, providing students with basic practical experience in quantitative approaches in modelling and analysis for business and management. The book features sections on foundation topics, models for business and management, and modelling and analyzing decisions. In particular, the new edition features greater coverage of statistics to reflect teaching in this area, with chapters on Elementary Statistics, Summary Statistics and Inferential Statistics. Other new areas of coverage in the second edition include Network Models and Non-linear Models. The book retains its popular style which offers students numerous examples accompanied by clear and straightforward explanations. Excel examples are also integrated throughout to help students to understand how this software tool is used by managers, and frequent questions and exercises enable students to test their understanding. A free CD contains Excel applications and solutions to the exercises in the textbook, and a full online learning centre completes an excellent learning package for business students.