QBA 201 - Introduction to Business Statistics
Four Quarter Hours

I. PREREQUISITES
Math 163A, Introduction to Calculus, and Math 250 Introduction to Probability and Statistics I, or equivalent. Course is considered a continuation of Math 250 and should be taken as soon as possible after completion of Math 250.

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course represents the second course of a two-course sequence in probability and statistics required of all majors in the College of Business at Ohio University. As such, it builds on the basic foundations of probability and descriptive statistics that are studied in Math 250. The assumption throughout this course is that additional information, primarily in the form of sample data, will be obtained before making a decision. At the beginning of the textbook, there is a discussion of several different kinds of sampling distributions covered in Math 250.

There are four major new topics in this course. The first is statistical inference. What can we infer about a population based on sample information? The second, an obviously related topic, is decision making based upon sample (and possibly, prior) information.

The major types of decision problems considered are those where the best decision depends on the value of the population mean or proportion, or on the nature of the relationship between two or more population variables. Linear regression and correlation analysis, which falls into this latter category, is the third particularly important topic covered in this course. It is an area of application for the techniques of inference and decision making learned in the earlier parts of the course.

A fourth major topic is decision making (hypothesis testing) using nonparametric statistics. The difference between parametric statistical hypothesis testing (used implicitly throughout most of the course) and nonparametric statistical testing revolves around the number of assumptions we make about the population(s) and the type of data. Non-parametric statistical procedures require us to make fewer assumptions, and therefore we are more comfortable in using them. They also are useful with only crude measurement data, and thus they are applicable in situations where parametric procedures are not. On the other hand, because we make fewer assumptions, or because we have data of poorer quality, we end up not being able to make inferences as strong from sample data about the population(s).

The major objectives of this course are to give you a good grasp of:

Chapters in the required textbook covered on the examination are:

Chapter . . .1
Chapter . . .3 . . .(pages 58–68, 71–81)
Chapter . . .7 . . .(pages 219–231)
Chapter . . .8
Chapter . . .9 . . .(omit Finite-Population Correction Factor, pages 300-301)
Chapter . .10
Chapter . .11
Chapter . .12 . . .(omit Two-Way Analysis)
Chapter . .13 . . .(omit pages 451–454)
Chapter . .14
Chapter . .15
Chapter . .16 . . .(pages 569–572 only)

III. TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLIES
ISBN-13: 9780072971217  Lind, Douglas, Marchal, William and Samuel Wathen, Statistical
Techniques in Business and Economics, 12th ed. (with supplements), Irwin McGraw-Hill Publishers, 2005

...available from EdMap's distance-learning online bookstore.

IV. NATURE OF THE EXAMINATION
Approximately sixty percent (60%) of the points will be based on your completing problems similar to those listed below which are found in the textbook. The rest of the points will be based on your answers to multiple choice questions designed to test: (1) your understanding of the assumptions and limitations that underlie various kinds of statistical analysis; (2) when different kinds of analyses are to be used, and (3) how one goes about obtaining a set of sample observations and using them to make inferences about a population characteristic or make decisions that require knowledge of the value of that population characteristic.

It is important to show all of your analysis in completing any of the problems. Most of the possible points for a problem are based on the process you used to arrive at an answer, not on whether that final answer per se is right or wrong.

You will need a calculator. There are three basic things that you need on your calculator: a square root key, a key marked “LOG,” and a key marked “10x.” Bring extra batteries. All necessary statistical tables will be supplied with the test. A formula sheet will be supplied also, giving some, but not all, the formulas you will need. A copy is included with this Information Sheet. Formulas & Tables

You will be allowed four hours to complete the examination and you should plan to use the entire time. If you plan to take the examination in Athens, you should schedule it for a Saturday morning or during a weekday between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

V. REVIEW PROBLEMS FOR THE EXAMINATION
The following guide is provided to assist your preparation for the examination. Work through the problems until you can solve them easily.

VI. GRADING CRITERIA