This concise and accessible textbook covers all of the key quantitative methods needed to solve everyday business problems. Les Oakshott’s clear and friendly writing style guides students from basic statistics, through to advanced topics, such as hypothesis testing and time series, as well as operational research techniques such as linear programming and inventory management. Step-by-step instructions and accompanying activities will help students to practice and gain confidence in carrying out techniques. The book’s coverage is fully grounded within the real world of business. Real-life case studies open every chapter and numerous examples throughout demonstrate why quantitative techniques are needed for a business to be successful. An ideal textbook for undergraduate students of business, management and finance, it is also widely used by MBA students and postgraduates.
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.
The new edition of this highly successful and popular textbook is a comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide to using and interpreting all the quantitative techniques that students will encounter in their later business and financial careers; from fundamental principles through to more advanced applications. Topics are explained in a clear, friendly step-by-step style, accompanied by examples, exercises and activities, making the text ideal for self-tuition or for the student with no experience or confidence in working with numbers. This highly successful learning-by-doing approach, coupled with the book's clear structure, will enable even the most maths-phobic student to understand these essential mathematical skills. Comprehensive in both its scope of coverage and the range of abilities it caters for, this remains a core textbook for undergraduate students of business, management and finance, for whom Quantitative Methods modules will be a key component. It will also appeal to those on related MBA and postgraduate courses. New to this Edition: - Business Modelling 'Moving on...' feature with integrated web and book activities to promote student engagement with the application of mathematical techniques in real-life workplaces - Extensive revamp of two Statistics chapters based on student and lecturer feedback - Crucial updated practical guides to using Excel and SPSS - Integrated companion website resources helps relate theory to real world examples
This textbook offers an essential introduction to survey research and quantitative methods. Building on the premise that statistical methods need to be learned in a practical fashion, the book guides students through the various steps of the survey research process and helps to apply those steps toward a real example. In detail, the textbook introduces students to the four pillars of survey research and quantitative analysis: (1) the importance of survey research, (2) preparing a survey, (3) conducting a survey and (4) analyzing a survey. Students are shown how to create their own questionnaire based on some theoretically derived hypotheses to achieve empirical findings for a solid dataset. Lastly, they use said data to test their hypotheses in a bivariate and multivariate realm. The book explains the theory, rationale and mathematical foundations of these tests. In addition, it provides clear instructions on how to conduct the tests in SPSS and Stata. Given the breadth of its coverage, the textbook is suitable for introductory statistics, survey research or quantitative methods classes in the social sciences.
Essentials of Applied Quantitative Methods for Health Services Management shows students how to use statistics in all aspects of health care administration. Offering careful, step-by-step instructions for calculations using Microsoft Excel, this hands-on resource begins with basic foundational competencies in statistics, and then walks the reader through forecasting, designing and analyzing systems, and project analysis. The text stresses the application of concepts, models, and techniques and provides problems involving all of the methods. It is intended to build a student management and planning tools repertoire. Ideal for junior and seniors in baccalaureate level health administration programs as well as first year graduate students in non-MBA health administration programs, this book requires limited previous knowledge of statistics; its mathematical dimension is equal to basic high school algebra.
Quantitative methodology is a highly specialized field, and as with any highly specialized field, working through idiosyncratic language can be very difficult made even more so when concepts are conveyed in the language of mathematics and statistics. The Sage Handbook of Quantitative Methodology for the Social Sciences was conceived as a way of introducing applied statisticians, empirical researchers, and graduate students to the broad array of state-of-the-art quantitative methodologies in the social sciences. The contributing authors of the Handbook were asked to write about their areas of expertise in a way that would convey to the reader the utility of their respective methodologies. Relevance to real-world problems in the social sciences is an essential ingredient of each chapter. The Handbook consists of six sections comprising twenty-five chapters, from topics in scaling and measurement, to advances in statistical modelling methodologies, and finally to broad philosophical themes that transcend many of the quantitative methodologies covered in this handbook.
An essential guide to corporate finance Understanding corporate finance is a necessity for financial practitioners who struggle every day to find the right balance between maximizing corporate value and reducing a firm's financial risk. Divided into two comprehensive parts, Mastering Corporate Finance Essentials presents the material by example, using an extended scenario involving a new business formation. In Part One, present and future value mathematics are introduced followed by a number of applications using the tools. In Part Two, statistics as applied to finance are examined, with detailed discussions of standard deviations, correlations, and how they impact diversification. Through theory and real-world examples this book provides a solid grounding in corporate finance Other titles by Stuart McCrary include: Mastering Financial Accounting Essentials, How to Create and Manage a Hedge Fund, and Hedge Fund Course Covers the essential elements of this field, from traditional capital budgeting concepts and methods of valuing investment projects under uncertainty to the importance of "real-options" in the decision-making process This reliable resource offers a hands-on approach to corporate finance that will allow you to gain a solid understanding of this discipline.
This exciting new core textbook offers a clear and practical introduction to quantitative methods, taking a project-based approach. The author's extensive knowledge and straightforward writing style ensure that students are steered through the process step-by-step, from developing research questions and preparing data for analysis, to explaining how to present data in appropriate formats, avoid bias, and write up results and reports. Featuring a comprehensive pedagogical framework and companion website, readers are encouraged to follow practice analyses as they go, with examples given in both SPSS and Excel, and templates are provided for students' own research. In addition to covering the research project, chapters also cover the essential mathematical and statistical analyses that are a logical consequence of posing a quantitative research methods question. This is the perfect text for all social science students studying introductory modules on quantitative methods, research methods or statistics at undergraduate or postgraduate level. It also functions as an effective guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students faced with an independent research project.
Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods is a student-friendly introduction to quantitative research methods and basic statistics. It uses a detective theme throughout the text to show how quantitative methods have been used to solve real-life problems. The book focuses on principles and techniques that are appropriate to introductory level courses in media, psychology and sociology. Examples and illustrations are drawn from historical and contemporary research in the social sciences. The original CD-ROM accompanying the book and its content are no longer available.
`This book offers an excellent description of quantitative and qualitative design and analysis taught in the context of three inquiry pathways: knowledge development, social inquiry, and social research. Furthermore, it provides an excellent overview of both quantitative and qualitative methods with regard to their different epistemologies, methods and techniques. Additionally, Punch provides (a) information guiding students in the use of computers for quantitative and qualitative analysis and (b) a wide range of illustrative examples to give the book a practical flavour.... I would not hesitate to recommend it to my undergraduate students' - Forum: Qualitative Social Research (www.qualitative-research.net) `A carefully crafted introduction to social research methodology. The author guides the reader through the research process in a comprehensive and logical way which is particularly helpful for the new researcher. A great resource for anyone involved in social research - novice or experienced' - Dr Mary Kellett, Open University Building on the success of An Introduction to Social Research, this Second Edition has been fully revised and updated to provide a broader coverage of a range of methodological approaches for third year and postgraduate students across the social sciences. New features include: - Wider coverage of qualitative research methods, including sections on action research and discourse analysis. - More pedagogical features such as student exercises and illustrative examples to ensure this is a practical, student-friendly guide. - More in-depth examination of the ethical issues involved in social research. A comprehensive and accessible introduction to qualitative, quantitative and mixed empirical methods, An Introduction to Social Research is an ideal starting point for all students and researchers in the social sciences.
