Determine & interpret the slope and the intercept.

	Business and Management Statistics		Assignment Number
	108SAM		Assignment Title

	Semester 3 (11/07/2016 at 23:55)		Module Leader
	Submission online through moodle at 23:55		Module Team

Module learning outcomes being assessed

1. Analyse realistic management problems based on analysis of data sets and case materials.

2. Apply the techniques studied to interpret and communicate findings on data analysis.

Assignment Information

 

Your coursework consists of the following four tasks based on Cocoa-Delight case study and data supplied in moodle. Some similar tasks will be performed in seminars with the tutors’ guidance. However, some parts of these tasks will require independent study. Your work will have to be submitted on the designated section of the module’s Moodle page AS A SINGLE EXCEL FILE containing all four tasks.

The Case Study & Tasks

Cocoa-Delight is a chocolate and bakery company based in the UK. They have been operating very successfully in the snacks industry for many years. Catering for consumers’ needs and demand is the key to their success and sustainability.  They collect consumer data on a regular basis and analyse it to identify the growing trend in snacks consumption.

Recently they have identified that the British population is increasingly choosing healthier snacks with low sugar content. They have also established that this is strongly correlated with an Olympic spirit. To exploit this new trend Cocoa-Delight is planning to launch a new product after the Brazil Summer Olympic event. Cocoa-Delight’s innovation and product design team plan to market a chocolate bar for keeping weight under control, with average calories of 189 per unit.

Cocoa-Delight has hired you for your analytical insights. Your job is to collate and analyse a range of data to recommend a competitive product for the healthy snack food market. See Excel file “CW2 Raw Data.xls” for raw data.

Task 1: [30 Marks]

Using the food table in the dataset provided, prepare a list of alternative snacks i.e. direct competitors to the new product. You are required to:

Sort, list & format the dataset into appropriate categories related to food groups e.g. chocolate-based snacks, baked food, processed food, fast food, healthier snacks etc.

[10 marks]

Prepare appropriate graphs displaying & comparing calories, of the categories.

[5 marks]

Calculate summary statistics such as the mean, median and standard deviations of the categories.

[5 marks]

Give a brief critical discussion of the summary statistics from part 3.

[5 marks]

What advice would you give for weight-loss purposes – which snacks have to be chosen? Is the chocolate bar going to be competitive in the market?

[5 marks]

 

Task 2 [25 Marks]

Cocoa-Delight is now interested in trying to estimate how sales are influenced by the price of their products. To do this, the company randomly chooses 8 UK cities and offers the candy bar at different prices and run a regression analysis on price and sales data.

      City           Price (£)     Sales

London             1.56            93

Coventry           2.55            76

Manchester       2.73            60

Derby                1.98            81

Cardiff              3.64            45

Preston              3.89            35

Cardiff              3.57            62

Swansea            4.50           20

[Continued on next page]

Using sales as the dependent variable, conduct linear regression analysis*.

[5 marks]

Generate the scatterplot.

[4 marks]

Write the regression equation using the results of the excel table.

[5 marks]

Determine & interpret the slope and the intercept.

[6 marks]

Determine what percentage of the total variation in candy bar sales is explained by prices?

[5 marks]

*[Perform, using Excel, Data Analysis Pack, Regression function, the regression analysi

 

Task 3: [30 Marks]

Cocoa-Delight wants to prepare a company event to launch its new candy bar. The following table gives the key activities required for the project.

Activity	Description	Proceeding Activity	Duration (Days)
A	Agree event outline	–	4
B	Identify suitable marketing companies	A	2
C	Agree detailed brief for event	B	6
D	Circulate brief to marketing companies	A	6
E	Agree contract with marketing companies	B	2
F	Select marketing company	C, E	1
G	Send confirmation of event to employees of Cocoa-Delight	D	2
H	Agree content of marketing event	F, G	2
I	Prepare content for marketing event	H	5
J	Prepare venue for event	G	1
K	Launch marketing campaign	I, J	–

 

Using the above table determine:

[Continued on next page]

Using the above table construct a network diagram for the project.

[5 marks]

Now construct a precedence diagram for the project.

[10 marks]

Determine and state the critical path

[10 marks]

List and state the float associated with each activity

[3 marks]

What is the complete duration of the project?

[2 marks]

 

Task 4 [15 Marks]

 

Write a summary report based on the results of the three tasks above.

Guidelines for completing task:

You are to follow the procedures, techniques and Excel based & long hand formula taught in seminars to answer questions related to categorising, tabling, central tendency, variance and regression analysis calculations. Theories delivered in lectures will help you to answer descriptive questions.

GUIDELINES AND BACKGROUND TO THIS ASSIGNMENT

 

This assessment (CW2) makes up 50% of the overall module mark.

 

Plagiarism

As part of your study you will be involved in carrying out research and using this when writing up your coursework. It is important that you correctly acknowledge someone else’s writing or thoughts and that you do not attempt to pass this off as your own work.  Doing so is known as plagiarism.  It is not acceptable to copy from another source without acknowledging that it is someone else’s writing or thinking. This includes using paraphrasing as well as direct quotations. You are expected to correctly cite and reference the works of others. The Centre for Academic Writing provides documents to help you get this right. If you are unsure, please visit www.coventry.ac.uk/caw.

Turnitin includes a plagiarism detection system and assessors are experienced enough to recognise plagiarism when it occurs. Copying another student’s work, using previous work of your own or copying large sections from a book or the internet are examples of plagiarism and carry serious consequences. Please familiarise yourself with the CU Harvard Reference Style (on Moodle) and use it correctly to avoid a case of plagiarism or cheating being brought.  Again, if you are unsure, please contact the Centre for Academic Writing or a member of the course team.

Return of Marked Work

You can expect to have marked work returned to you 3 weeks after the submission date. Marks and feedback will be provided online. As always, marks will have been internally moderated only, and will therefore be provisional; your mark will be formally agreed later in the year once the external examiner has completed his / her review.
 

Assessment Criteria

Mark range	Guidelines
70 – 100%	In order to secure a mark in this range, a candidate must submit an outstanding answer that could hardly be bettered. In addition to the criteria identified below for a mark between 70-85%, an answer scoring a mark of 85-100% would show an excellent level of understanding and critical/analytic skills and originality. For example, such an answer would include new insights into [Business and Management statistics] which are not drawn from the literature but from the student’s own critical thinking, and which add something to the existing literature.   An essay in this range will demonstrate a strong understanding of theories, concepts and issues relating to [Business and Management statistics].  There will be evidence of wide-ranging reading from a variety of valid sources (as described and presented in the marking criteria for 60-69%).   The assignment must be written in a clear, well-structured way with a coherent and seamless flow and show evidence of independent, critical thought. It must show extensive relevant reading on the subject and intelligent use of the material to present a well-balanced and well-argued assignment. For example, the student will have considered a range of relevant issues and be able to assess the strength and weaknesses of various approaches/arguments and put forward a confident and articulate view of their own.
60 – 69%	An essay in this mark range will demonstrate a good understanding of the requirements of the assignment and of theories, concepts and issues relating to[Business and Management statistics] . An assignment in this percentage range will include a balanced discussion of issues central to the question, how these are addressed by different authors or sources and some critical thinking into their relative merits or shortcomings.   The answer will be contain few errors and little, if any, irrelevant material. It will show evidence of reading from a variety of sources (i.e. more than 3 or 4) but not so many sources that the discussion loses focus and becomes unclear or irrelevant. All sources should be of some academic merit (e.g. books, journals, reports, media publications). Unreferenced material from non-credible internet sources MUST be avoided.   All sources must be included and properly referenced in the references. The assignment will be well-organised and clearly written/presented overall.
50 – 59%	The answer will demonstrate some reasonable understanding of relevant theories, concepts and issues relating to [Business and Management statistics] but also some minor errors of fact or understanding.   The assignment will not be based on an extensive range of sources (for example few references are included), or much evidence that they have been read closely or well-understood. For example, the assignment will retell sources rather than analyse them.   The assignment may be quite general in part. Some errors may be present and some irrelevant material may be included.   The essay may not be particularly well-structured, and/or clearly presented and contain some spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. A few sentences may be unclear.
40 – 49%	A mark within this percentage range will be given to an essay which: –     shows some limited basic understanding of the subject but is incomplete.  For example, if it answers one part of a question but not the rest. –     makes only very general statements –     includes some factual errors or misunderstandings e.g. confusion between different companies or misuse of certain key terms. –     shows limited use of material with limited reading/research on the topic and includes only a very small number of references, not all of which are included in the references –     includes spelling mistakes, is poorly structured with no clear argument and grammar mistakes making it difficult to understand. –     includes some irrelevant material.
35 – 39%	A mark within this percentage range will be given to an assignment which: –     includes only a limited amount of relevant material. –     shows little evidence of reading/research on the topic. For example, the essay includes only very few references, and relies only on material or case studies used during the course. –     shows only a very basic understanding of the subject. –     is poorly presented with bad grammar, some spelling mistakes and an incomplete reference list. –     has a poor structure and does not flow e.g. if there is no conclusion or new facts are introduced in the conclusion rather than introduction or main discussion. –     contains some fundamental errors.
20 – 34%                                               0 – 19%	A poor fail on this assignment means the assignment submitted: –     is poor and suggests that the student has spent very little time on it  e.g. if the answer is considerably under the word requirement and/or presented in note form rather than as a fully written up essay. –     bears little relation to the assignment topic. –     shows a poor understanding of theories, concepts and issues relating to [Business and Management statistics] and to the learning outcomes detailed in this document. –     contains some or many fundamental errors and misunderstandings of the academic or other material used. For example many of the facts cited are incorrect. –     uses literature or other material which is largely irrelevant or has no academic value –     is poorly structured and poorly presented. For example, sentences may be hard to understand and contain many spelling or grammatical mistakes. –     contains no references.     Work within this mark range shows a complete failure to meet the requirements of the assignment. A mark in this range will be given for an essay which: –     is below 500 words in length. –     bears no link to the question chosen and shows very little or no knowledge or understanding of any of the theories, concepts and issues relating to [Business and Management statistics]. The answer may be fundamentally wrong or trivial. –     contains no references and/or evidence of relevant reading. –     shows little understanding of the requirements of the assignment and only a vague knowledge of the subject area. –     includes numerous fundamental errors in the understanding or presentation of the material discussed. There is a general lack of facts/evidence and what is provided is mostly incorrect and/or irrelevant. –     is poorly structured and poorly presented. Spelling and grammar are poor. Many sentences are incomprehensible. –     the examiners do not feel could be described as a serious attempt by any reasonable standards.

 

Mark range

 

Guidelines

70 – 100%

In order to secure a mark in this range, a candidate must submit an outstanding answer that could hardly be bettered. In addition to the criteria identified below for a mark between 70-85%, an answer scoring a mark of 85-100% would show an excellent level of understanding and critical/analytic skills and originality. For example, such an answer would include new insights into [Business and Management statistics] which are not drawn from the literature but from the student’s own critical thinking, and which add something to the existing literature.

An essay in this range will demonstrate a strong understanding of theories, concepts and issues relating to [Business and Management statistics].  There will be evidence of wide-ranging reading from a variety of valid sources (as described and presented in the marking criteria for 60-69%).

The assignment must be written in a clear, well-structured way with a coherent and seamless flow and show evidence of independent, critical thought. It must show extensive relevant reading on the subject and intelligent use of the material to present a well-balanced and well-argued assignment. For example, the student will have considered a range of relevant issues and be able to assess the strength and weaknesses of various approaches/arguments and put forward a confident and articulate view of their own.

60 – 69%

An essay in this mark range will demonstrate a good understanding of the requirements of the assignment and of theories, concepts and issues relating to[Business and Management statistics] . An assignment in this percentage range will include a balanced discussion of issues central to the question, how these are addressed by different authors or sources and some critical thinking into their relative merits or shortcomings.

The answer will be contain few errors and little, if any, irrelevant material. It will show evidence of reading from a variety of sources (i.e. more than 3 or 4) but not so many sources that the discussion loses focus and becomes unclear or irrelevant. All sources should be of some academic merit (e.g. books, journals, reports, media publications). Unreferenced material from non-credible internet sources MUST be avoided.

All sources must be included and properly referenced in the references. The assignment will be well-organised and clearly written/presented overall.

50 – 59%

The answer will demonstrate some reasonable understanding of relevant theories, concepts and issues relating to [Business and Management statistics] but also some minor errors of fact or understanding.

The assignment will not be based on an extensive range of sources (for example few references are included), or much evidence that they have been read closely or well-understood. For example, the assignment will retell sources rather than analyse them.

The assignment may be quite general in part. Some errors may be present and some irrelevant material may be included.

The essay may not be particularly well-structured, and/or clearly presented and contain some spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. A few sentences may be unclear.

 

40 – 49%

 

A mark within this percentage range will be given to an essay which:

–     shows some limited basic understanding of the subject but is incomplete.  For example, if it answers one part of a question but not the rest.

–     makes only very general statements

–     includes some factual errors or misunderstandings e.g. confusion between different companies or misuse of certain key terms.

–     shows limited use of material with limited reading/research on the topic and includes only a very small number of references, not all of which are included in the references

–     includes spelling mistakes, is poorly structured with no clear argument and grammar mistakes making it difficult to understand.

–     includes some irrelevant material.

 

35 – 39%

A mark within this percentage range will be given to an assignment which:

–     includes only a limited amount of relevant material.

–     shows little evidence of reading/research on the topic. For example, the essay includes only very few references, and relies only on material or case studies used during the course.

–     shows only a very basic understanding of the subject.

–     is poorly presented with bad grammar, some spelling mistakes and an incomplete reference list.

–     has a poor structure and does not flow e.g. if there is no conclusion or new facts are introduced in the conclusion rather than introduction or main discussion.

–     contains some fundamental errors.

20 – 34%

0 – 19%

A poor fail on this assignment means the assignment submitted:

–     is poor and suggests that the student has spent very little time on it  e.g. if the answer is considerably under the word requirement and/or presented in note form rather than as a fully written up essay.

–     bears little relation to the assignment topic.

–     shows a poor understanding of theories, concepts and issues relating to [Business and Management statistics] and to the learning outcomes detailed in this document.

–     contains some or many fundamental errors and misunderstandings of the academic or other material used. For example many of the facts cited are incorrect.

–     uses literature or other material which is largely irrelevant or has no academic value

–     is poorly structured and poorly presented. For example, sentences may be hard to understand and contain many spelling or grammatical mistakes.

–     contains no references.

Work within this mark range shows a complete failure to meet the requirements of the assignment. A mark in this range will be given for an essay which:

–     is below 500 words in length.

–     bears no link to the question chosen and shows very little or no knowledge or understanding of any of the theories, concepts and issues relating to [Business and Management statistics]. The answer may be fundamentally wrong or trivial.

–     contains no references and/or evidence of relevant reading.

–     shows little understanding of the requirements of the assignment and only a vague knowledge of the subject area.

–     includes numerous fundamental errors in the understanding or presentation of the material discussed. There is a general lack of facts/evidence and what is provided is mostly incorrect and/or irrelevant.

–     is poorly structured and poorly presented. Spelling and grammar are poor. Many sentences are incomprehensible.

–     the examiners do not feel could be described as a serious attempt by any reasonable standards.

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