A comprehensive textbook on data analysis for business, applied economics and public policy that uses case studies with real-world data.

This introductory textbook presents research methods and data analysis tools in non-technical language. It explains the research process and the basics of qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including procedures and methods, analysis, interpretation, and applications using hands-on data examples in QDA Miner Lite and IBM SPSS Statistics software. The book is divided into four parts that address study and research design; data collection, qualitative methods and surveys; statistical methods, including hypothesis testing, regression, cluster and factor analysis; and reporting. The intended audience is business and social science students learning scientific research methods, however, given its business context, the book will be equally useful for decision-makers in businesses and organizations.

While there are books focusing on parametric tests, the domain of nonparametric tests is mostly unexplored. Data Analysis in Business Research: A Step by Step Nonparametric Approach brings under one umbrella all the major nonparametric statistical tools that can be used by undergraduate and postgraduate students of all disciplines, especially students of Research Methods in Social Sciences and Management Studies, in their dissertation work. Students face difficulty in analyzing data collected from small samples; they end up reporting mere percentage analysis which results in the loss of information collected. Hence there is a need to create awareness among students and researchers about the application of major nonparametric tools that can be applied confidently without worrying about sample size, scale of measurement, normality assumptions or other parameters of that nature. The lucid presentation of the step-by-step procedures, explaining in simple English how to perform each of the major nonparametric tests, is a major attraction of the book. The book, which also has a comprehensive question bank, assumes minimal or little knowledge of statistics on the part of the reader. This book will also be informative for Marketing Research professionals and organisations, consultancies and organisations of economic research.

In a world in which we are constantly surrounded by data, figures, and statistics, it is imperative to understand and to be able to use quantitative methods. Statistical models and methods are among the most important tools in economic analysis, decision-making and business planning. This textbook, “Exploratory Data Analysis in Business and Economics”, aims to familiarise students of economics and business as well as practitioners in firms with the basic principles, techniques, and applications of descriptive statistics and data analysis. Drawing on practical examples from business settings, it demonstrates the basic descriptive methods of univariate and bivariate analysis. The textbook covers a range of subject matter, from data collection and scaling to the presentation and univariate analysis of quantitative data, and also includes analytic procedures for assessing bivariate relationships. It does not confine itself to presenting descriptive statistics, but also addresses the use of computer programmes such as Excel, SPSS, and STATA, thus treating all of the topics typically covered in a university course on descriptive statistics. The German edition of this textbook is one of the “bestsellers” on the German market for literature in statistics.

This book offers postgraduate and early career researchers in accounting and information systems a guide to choosing, executing and reporting appropriate data analysis methods to answer their research questions. It provides readers with a basic understanding of the steps that each method involves, and of the facets of the analysis that require special attention. Rather than presenting an exhaustive overview of the methods or explaining them in detail, the book serves as a starting point for developing data analysis skills: it provides hands-on guidelines for conducting the most common analyses and reporting results, and includes pointers to more extensive resources. Comprehensive yet succinct, the book is brief and written in a language that everyone can understand - from students to those employed by organizations wanting to study the context in which they work. It also serves as a refresher for researchers who have learned data analysis techniques previously but who need a reminder for the specific study they are involved in.

Research Basics: Design to Data Analysis in Six Steps offers a fresh and creative approach to the research process based on author James V. Spickard’s decades of teaching experience. Using an intuitive six-step model, readers learn how to craft a research question and then identify a logical process for answering it. Conversational writing and multi-disciplinary examples illuminate the model’s simplicity and power, effectively connecting the “hows” and “whys” behind social science research. Students using this book will learn how to turn their research questions into results.

The Guide to Business Data Analytics provides a foundational understanding of business data analytics concepts and includes how to develop a framework; key techniques and application; how to identify, communicate and integrate results; and more. This guide acts as a reference for the practice of business data analytics and is a companion resource for the Certification in Business Data Analytics (IIBA(R)- CBDA). Explore more information about the Certification in Business Data Analytics at IIBA.org/CBDA. About International Institute of Business Analysis International Institute of Business Analysis(TM) (IIBA(R)) is a professional association dedicated to supporting business analysis professionals deliver better business outcomes. IIBA connects almost 30,000 Members, over 100 Chapters, and more than 500 training, academic, and corporate partners around the world. As the global voice of the business analysis community, IIBA supports recognition of the profession, networking and community engagement, standards and resource development, and comprehensive certification programs. IIBA Publications IIBA publications offer a wide variety of knowledge and insights into the profession and practice of business analysis for the entire business community. Standards such as A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge(R) (BABOK(R) Guide), the Agile Extension to the BABOK(R) Guide, and the Global Business Analysis Core Standard represent the most commonly accepted practices of business analysis around the globe. IIBA's reports, research, whitepapers, and studies provide guidance and best practices information to address the practice of business analysis beyond the global standards and explore new and evolving areas of practice to deliver better business outcomes. Learn more at iiba.org.

In Analysing Quantitative Survey Data, Jeremy Dawson introduces you to the key elements of analysing quantitative survey data using classical test theory, the measurement theory that underlies the techniques described in the book. The methodological assumptions, basic components and strengths and limitations of this analysis are explained and with the help of illustrative examples, you are guided through how to conduct the key procedures involved, including reliability analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Ideal for Business and Management students reading for a Master’s degree, each book in the series may also serve as reference books for doctoral students and faculty members interested in the method. Part of SAGE’s Mastering Business Research Methods series, conceived and edited by Bill Lee, Mark N. K. Saunders and Vadake K. Narayanan and designed to support researchers by providing in-depth and practical guidance on using a chosen method of data collection or analysis.

Based on the needs of business, marketing and social science students, this book provides an accessible and easy-to-follow guide to survey data analysis. The book avoids the more usual statistics-driven perspective. Rather, it provides an intuitive feel for handling survey data by emphasising that data analysis is more about understanding the research objectives, what kinds of data have been collected, how quantitative data were generated by the process of measurement, how to create a data matrix and how to transform raw data before thinking about appropriate statistical calculations. The author begins by considering what data are, the different kinds of data that surveys generate, and the tripartite format of all quantitative data. The processes of measurement and the errors that may arise are carefully explained. Coverage of the creation and analysis of a data matrix using SPSS is then provided. The author then reviews what kinds of statistical procedure are required for what kinds of data and for what purposes. The book concludes by giving a review of strategies for coping with all the kinds of practical problems that arise in survey research. Reader-friendly throughout, Data Analysis: A Guide to Market and Social Research provides numerous worked examples, end-of-chapter questions and points for further discussion to help reinforce concepts learnt. A data diskette containing the worked examples in SPSS is also provided in the back of the book. Also available is a companion website with extra features to accompany the text, please take a look by clicking below - http://www.palgrave.com/business/kent/index.asp

In Analysing Quantitative Data, Charles A. Scherbaum and Kristen M. Shockley guide the reader through Understanding Quantitative Data Analysis, Basic Components of Quantitative Data Analysis, Conducting Quantitative Data Analysis, Examples of Quantitative Data Analysis and Conclusions. An appendix contains Excel Formulas. Ideal for Business and Management students reading for a Master’s degree, each book in the series may also serve as reference books for doctoral students and faculty members interested in the method. Part of SAGE’s Mastering Business Research Methods Series, conceived and edited by Bill Lee, Mark N. K. Saunders and Vadake K. Narayanan and designed to support researchers by providing in-depth and practical guidance on using a chosen method of data collection or analysis.