Over this two-week period, you will use mathematical operations and data analysis to solve problems and inform decision making. Your final assignment will be the creation of a comprehensive Excel workbook with supporting charts and graphs and a short analysis of the data.

This project will enable you to refresh and refine your skills in math and statistics before you tackle a real-world data set using Excel to analyze and display the data.

Quantitative reasoning uses a process similar to the qualitative research process in that you will first identify an issue or problem and then use mathematical formulas or an analytic tool to derive a solution. You will construct graphs, charts, and tables to display data and inform analysis and interpretation. You will evaluate the results of the information, draw analyses and validate them by applying them to the issue or problem.

This project will enable you to see the connection between data and how the use of quantitative analysis of that data informs solutions to practical problems with potential impact on your organization or industry.

There are 10 steps that lead you through this project. Each step should take about two hours to complete. Begin by watching the video above, which introduces the project as it might occur in the workplace, then continue with Step 1: Refresh Your Math, Statistics, and Excel Skills.

When you submit your project, your work will be evaluated using the competencies listed below. You can use the list below to self-check your work before submission.

•             1.1: Organize document or presentation clearly in a manner that promotes understanding and meets the requirements of the assignment.

•             1.2: Develop coherent paragraphs or points so that each is internally unified and so that each functions as part of the whole document or presentation.

•             1.4: Tailor communications to the audience.

•             1.5: Use sentence structure appropriate to the task, message and audience.

•             1.6: Follow conventions of Standard Written English.

•             3.1: Identify numerical or mathematical information that is relevant in a problem or situation.

•             3.2: Employ mathematical or statistical operations and data analysis techniques to arrive at a correct or optimal solution.

•             3.3: Analyze mathematical or statistical information, or the results of quantitative inquiry and manipulation of data.

•             3.4: Employ software applications and analytic tools to analyze, visualize, and present data to inform decision-making.

Step 1: Refresh Your Math, Statistics and Excel Skills

Everyone will begin this project with different background skills in math, statistics and Excel. Let’s start by thinking about what it means to engage in quantitative processes and the role these skills play in this project.

Next, assess your current baseline by refreshing your skills in math, statistics, and Excel. You will choose how much you already know and where you need to concentrate more attention in order to complete this quantitative analysis project.

After this refresher, you will create your own spreadsheet based on the template provided in the next step.

If you need help outside the classroom, you can register for the STAT 689 tutoring room (go to the Project 4 Discussion for registration information) in which you can access tutoring help and other resources to enable you to complete this project successfully. Help is free and immediate!

Step 2: Set Up Your Spreadsheet (PROJ600 Project 4 Conduct Quantitative Analysis Paper)

Now that you’ve assessed and refreshed these important skills, you’re ready to begin. First download the Excel template course file and use it to set up your spreadsheet. This step has you set up your basic view in preparation for the use of several tools.

After you’ve formatted and set up your basic view and saved it with your name, you’re ready to move to the next step and add data.

Step 3: Add Data

With your spreadsheet set up and saved with your last name, you’re ready to add data. In Section 1 on the Data page, complete each column of the spreadsheet to arrive at the desired calculations.

When you’re ready, move on to the next step, where you will use functions to summarize the data.

Step 4: Use Functions to Summarize the Data

With your data built, you are now ready to start using some tools to summarize the data, using Countif and the Sum function to do the math. In this step, you’ll begin to see patterns in the data and the story of the workforce.

Take a breather here if you need it. You should strive to work through the first four steps this week. Check in with your instructor.

With this step complete, you’re ready to begin your analysis.

Step 5: Analyze the Workforce

You’ve summarized the data. Next, you will employ descriptive or summary statistics to analyze the workforce. Your summary tables described “how many.” Now you will calculate mean, median, and mode for the categories of data, and derive the deviation, variance, and dispersion, and distribution. This is where it gets interesting!

You will be working in section 3 of the Data tab in the spreadsheet to complete the descriptive statistics for the five categories (Salary, Hourly Rate, Years of Service, Education, and Age). Using Excel formulas, complete the table.

After you have used Excel formulas to find this information, you will next use the Toolpak to find your summary statistics.

Step 6: Use the Analysis Toolpak (PROJ600 Project 4 Conduct Quantitative Analysis Paper)

With your data set built, you will now use the Analysis Toolpak to do those same functions. This is a handy feature to know. Remember that there may be some minor differences in the answers depending on the version.

You should now have Tab 2 complete: Excel Summary Stats. Next, you’ll create charts and a histogram for Tabs 3 and 4.

Step 7: Create Charts and a Histogram

Where would we be without the ability to view data in charts? It is sometimes easier to grasp context of data if we can see it captured in an image. In this step, you will work with data to create charts, adding a tab for charts, and another for a histogram.

In this step, you will build Tab 3: Graphs—Charts and Tab 4: Histogram. After you complete these tabs, you’ll be ready to sort the data.

Step 8: Copy and Sort the Data

You’ve accomplished a lot with your data set, summary stats, charts, and histograms. Another skill you’ll need to be able to do is sort data in an Excel worksheet for reporting purposes. You’ll copy and sort the data.. This is a good skill that applies to any Excel application.

In this step, you will create Tab 5: Sorted Data. When you’re finished, you’ll be ready to conduct your quantitative analysis.

See below for example of sorted spreadsheet.

Step 9: Conduct Quantitative Analysis (PROJ600 Project 4 Conduct Quantitative Analysis Paper)

In this step, your hard work bears fruit. What does it all mean? Think back to your boss’s reasons for tasking you with this project. Bring your powers of analysis to bear to determine what the data may be telling you. Apply your quantitative reasoning skills by answering the questions provided in the resource and writing a short essay.

After you answer the questions, your short essay should include:

•             a one-paragraph narrative summary of your findings, describing patterns of interest

•             an explanation of the potential relevance of such patterns

•             a description of how you would investigate further to determine if your results could be perceived as good or bad for the company.

You will prepare your responses in your workbook on the tab named QR Analysis. Type in your answers to the questions as well as the final essay in the textbox, and move the QR tab to the first tab position ( to the left of the Data tab) when you have finished.

Good luck!!

Good job! In the next step, you’ll submit your workbook and analysis.

Step 10: Submit Your Completed Workbook and Analysis

You’re now ready to submit your workbook and analysis. Review the requirements for the final deliverable to be sure you have:

1.            Excel Workbook with Six Tabs

o             Tab 1: Data—completed data sheet (Steps 1–6 above)

o             Tab 2: Excel Summary Stats (Step 6)

o             Tab 3: Graphs—Charts (Step 7)

o             Tab 4: Histogram (Step 7)

o             Tab 5: Sorted Data (Step 8)

Quantitative Analysis (Step 9; see detail below and move to first position upon completion.)

2.            Answers to Questions and Short Essay

Prepare your response in this workbook. Create a tab for Quantitative Analysis, create a text box, and paste your answers to the questions and your essay in it. Move the Quantitative Analysis tab to the first tab position.

Make sure the following tabs are included in your final workbook:

o             Quantitative Analysis

o             Data

o             Excel Summary Stats

o             Graphs–Charts

o             Histogram

o             Sorted Data

3.            Format to Be Printed

Format this workbook so that all the spreadsheets can be printed.

Before you submit your assignment, review the competencies below, which your instructor will use to evaluate your work. A good practice would be to use each competency as a self-check to confirm you have incorporated all of them in your work.

•             1.1: Organize document or presentation clearly in a manner that promotes understanding and meets the requirements of the assignment.

•             1.2: Develop coherent paragraphs or points so that each is internally unified and so that each functions as part of the whole document or presentation.

•             1.4: Tailor communications to the audience.

•             1.5: Use sentence structure appropriate to the task, message and audience.

•             1.6: Follow conventions of Standard Written English.

•             3.1: Identify numerical or mathematical information that is relevant in a problem or situation.

•             3.2: Employ mathematical or statistical operations and data analysis techniques to arrive at a correct or optimal solution.

•             3.3: Analyze mathematical or statistical information, or the results of quantitative inquiry and manipulation of data.

•             3.4: Employ software applications and analytic tools to analyze, visualize, and present data to inform decision-making.

Submission for Management. PROJ600 Project 4 Conduct Quantitative Analysis Paper

 

 

MORE INFO 

Quantitative Analysis in Research

Introduction

Quantitative analysis in research refers to the methods used in data collection, manipulation, interpretation and presentation. A quantitative study is one that uses numerical data or numerical results as indicators of underlying characteristics or relationships. Quantitative studies are based on the use of statistics; they are often referred to as experimental designs when they use randomization procedures (t-tests) or replicated blocks designs (an example would be independent samples t-tests).

Quantitative analysis in research refers to the methods used in data collection, manipulation, interpretation and presentation.

Quantitative analysis in research refers to the methods used in data collection, manipulation, interpretation and presentation. This can be achieved through the use of surveys or experiments. The data collected from these methods is analyzed using statistical tools such as regression analysis and correlation. The results may be presented in a clear and concise manner which allows for easy interpretation by others who are unfamiliar with them.

Data collection and presentation involve the use of statistical methods to arrive at conclusions.

Data collection and presentation involve the use of statistical methods to arrive at conclusions. A researcher may collect data in many ways: he or she may ask a question, observe behavior, or record observations. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.

As you collect more information, it’s important to keep your focus on what you’re trying to learn from your study. You want to make sure that your data are as clear and relevant as possible so that it’s easy for others (and yourself) to see what’s going on with your subjects’ lives after they’ve been interviewed about their experiences during an event like this one!

Statistical analysis is often done using software such as SPSS.

SPSS is a common software used for statistical analysis. It can be used to perform a variety of different types of statistical analyses, including:

• Descriptive statistics

• Inferential tests, such as one-way ANOVA and t-tests (for example, comparing means)

• Multiple regression analysis (for example, predicting the likelihood of success based on other variables)

Presentations are in the form of graphs, tables and charts.

Graphs are a common way to show trends over time. They’re often used in presentations, but they can also be used as a way to help you understand your data better. A graph might look like this:

• The horizontal axis represents years, while the vertical axis shows how many students each grade level has in attendance at school each year (or something similar).

• For example, if there are 50 students attending sixth grade now and 100 total expected next year when you’re done with this particular report, then your graph will have two sections: one for current enrollment numbers (50) and one for projected enrollment numbers over time (100).

Data collected through quantitative analysis provides a clear picture of information in simple terms.

Quantitative analysis is used to collect, manipulate, interpret and present data. Data collected through quantitative analysis provides a clear picture of information in simple terms. Statistical analysis is often done using software such as SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).

The most common types of quantitative research are:

• Descriptive Research: Describes what happened or how things were affecting people’s lives. This type of research focuses on identifying trends and making comparisons between groups or individuals with similar characteristics (e.g., age). It can also be used after an event has occurred to create a narrative thread around it so that you know more clearly what happened during those events while they were happening! For example: If a person wants insight into why their organization has high turnover rates among employees then descriptive research would help them understand these issues better than just looking at statistics alone!

Conclusion

The research process can be simplified by using quantitative analysis. By using tools that are easy to understand and use, researchers have the ability to make their findings accessible to a wide audience. The next time you’re looking for an answer about anything, try using some of these tools in your search for knowledge!