Introduction to Analytics and Business

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 7
• Convenor: Dr Abdulrahman Al-Surmi
• Assessment: a 4000-word essay (100%)

In this module we introduce you to the role of data in organisational decision-making and how data analysis technologies can be used to improve it. You will study the methods, tools and techniques for analytics and the critical importance of systems thinking, and consider the importance of data analytics across various parts of the organisation.

Most of the work of a data analyst involves getting data, cleaning it and getting it into a form suitable for input to a model. You will learn the importance of data preparation and data wrangling.

Indicative syllabus

• Introduction to analytics
• Methods, tools, techniques for analytics development
• Systems thinking (simple, complicated, complex problems), complex adaptive systems theory
• Agile development
• Data and data quality: data preparation and data wrangling
• Big data technologies, tools and technologies
• Analytics domains, e.g. HR, marketing, finance, supply chain, internet

By the end of this module, you will:

• understand the internal and external environmental factors that affect organisational decision-making
• have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the role of business analytics in solving complex organisational problems and supporting strategic decision-making
• have been introduced to the importance of data preparation and data wrangling
• have the knowledge and skills to evaluate the relevance, reliability and validity of large datasets
• be able to communicate effectively with different audiences, either orally or in writing, through data analytics.