Quantitative Analysis & Decision Making SU01

12388In both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, statistics are critical pieces of information that allow decision makers to steer the organization in directions that are in the organization’s best interest. Data is acquired from many sources, some within the organization, and some from outside the organization. The government tracks data on many different aspects of society (including industrial output). The following questions will guide your thinking about the uses of data and information.

•Assume you are a marketing analyst working for a manufacturer of ready-to-eat cereal. You are given detailed sales data for the past year and asked to create a report showing the differences between the four sales regions (north, south, east, and west) in terms of sales volume, profitability, and changes in sales volume and profitability; marketing expenditures and changes in marketing expenditures; and per capita sales and marketing expenditures.
o Evaluate which of the four types of data (nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio) is the sales data you are working on.
o Compare specific statistical techniques and charts you could use to depict differences, specifically addressing each of the categories constituting your report. Determine which techniques and charts you would use. Then explain why you believe that the techniques and charts you have chosen would be appropriate. Support your discussion with relevant examples, research, and rationale.
The final paragraph (three or four sentences) of your initial post should summarize the one or two key points that you are making in your initial response.
Submission Details:
• Your posting should be the equivalent of 1 to 2 single-spaced pages (500–1000 words) in length.