Quantitative Methods - MAN00011C

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Module summary

This course will introduce students to basic methods of empirical enquiry into Accounting, Finance and Management. The course will provide a solid foundation in statistical inference, enabling the student to become a competent producer of basic statistical research.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Spring Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

This course will introduce students to basic methods of empirical enquiry into Accounting, Finance and Management. The course will provide a solid foundation in statistical inference, enabling the student to become a competent producer of basic statistical research. In addition the skills acquired will enable the student to become a somewhat more sophisticated consumer of more advanced research methodologies. It is also designed for students to appreciate the advantages and limitations of quantitative techniques.

Module learning outcomes

• Understand the detailed technical nature of quantitative techniques
• Appreciate and select from the different quantitative procedures used in the analysis of different data types
• Use computer packages for data analysis and interpret their output

Module content

Topic 1 – Measures and Charts

• Types of data (nominal, ordinal, discrete, continuous)
• Central tendency (mean, median and mode)
• Measures of spread (variance, standard deviation, IQR, range, coefficient of variation)
• Graphical and tabular presentation of different types data

Topic 2 – Price Indices

• Relative changes in price
• Inflation
• Simple and aggregate
• Correction for inflation

Topic 3 – Probability

• Basic and conditional probability (independence, mutual exclusivity)
• Frequency tables
• Bayes’ Theorem

Topic 4 – Statistical Distributions

• Concept of sampling distributions
• Ubiquity of normal distribution
• Computations involving probability and proportions using the standard tables.

Topic 5 – Sampling with Confidence

• Methods of sampling
• Concept of estimation and controlled errors
• The Central Limit Theorem
• Construction and interpretation of confidence intervals, both 1 and 2 tailed
• Determining sample size

Topic 6 – Basic Hypothesis Testing

• Null and alternate hypotheses
• False positives and false negatives
• Comparison of mean with estimate, of two means and of paired data

Topic 7 – ANOVA

• Need for ANOVA
• Calculation and interpretation of ANOVA

Topic 8 – Chi-squared

• Two types of chi-squared test
• Calculation and interpretation of chi-squared test

Topic 9 – Correlation and Regression

• Causality vs correlation
• Pearson’s correlation coefficient
• Interpretation of simple linear regression

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)	30
Essay/coursework	70

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Module feedback

Feedback on the summative exam will be available after the exam has been marked; in early summer term

Feedback on the essay/assignment will be available after marking has been completed.

Feedback on the formative quizzes will be available immediately after submission of answers, but also in seminars if requested.

Indicative reading

Oakshott, L., (2020). Essential Quantitative Methods for Business, Management & Finance, 7th Edition, Palgrave.