MBA Decision Analysis Individual Application Memo Assignment
The goal of this memo is to apply analytical thinking and statistical tools to real-world data and business
problems. For this assignment, you will write two short memos where you apply concepts and statistical
tools weve talked about in class to one of the data sets provided on the course Blackboard page (under
Data for Class Exercises and Memos). You will conduct an original analysis for each of the two memos,
though you may use the same data set for both memos if you choose. If you would like to use a data set
other than one I have made available under Data for In-Class Exercises and Memos on Blackboard,
you must send it to me for approval before writing your memo. Data sets based on data that have
already been summarized (e.g., from Statista) may not be used for this assignment.
Application memos are due via Blackboard on Sunday, November 7th and Sunday, November 28th by
11:59PM.
Before starting your memo, read How to Improve Your Business Writing by Carolyn O’Hara (Harvard
Business Review, 11/20/14).
Memo details
Each memo should be 400-500 words, and include the following:
Provide an interesting and informative title to draw in readers.
State a question that you are going to try to answer with the data. This should be a meaningful
question that you can attempt to answer with your analysis, not simply what is the distribution of
[some variable].
Provide a brief overview of the data set. This should tell the reader where the data set comes from
(i.e., the primary source, not Blackboard!), who is included in the data set, and what type of
information the data include.
Develop at least 3 exhibits (frequency tables, graphs, charts, tables with summary statistics, etc.) to
try to answer your posed question. Each exhibit should summarize your data and provide different
information about the question you are trying to answer. For example, a frequency distribution and
histogram for the same variable provide the same information and are therefore redundant.
You must aggregate the data in some way before putting it into a table or figure Include your
exhibits at the end of the text. Figures that simply plot the raw data will count against your
grade.
Label exhibits 1, 2, 3, etc., and refer to the exhibits by number in your text.
Each exhibit should have a title and all elements (axes, etc.) should be clearly labeled.
Summarize (in words) some key takeaways from the data presented in the exhibits that help to
answer your question.
Describe conclusions you can draw from your statistical analysis, supported by the information
presented in your exhibits.
Discuss any potential shortcomings or biases associated with your data. For example, who may not
be represented in the data? What other data would you ideally use to answer your question?
Other instructions:
Your memo should be written in paragraph form with complete sentencesnot bullet points,
etc.and should use adhere to professional writing conventions (use proper spelling and
grammar, avoid contractions, etc.). The components listed above should not be presented in
separate sections of your memo.
The memo should be professional but not overly technical. Assume the reader is not your
statistics professor.
Be careful about the conclusions you can draw based on your analysis! While you will be able to
show some interesting relationships between variables, you will not be able to infer any causal
relationships from this analysis.
Include complete reference information for any publications, news articles, or websites you
reference via footnotes (reference information will not count toward your word limit). For more
information, please see Page 6 of the Harvard Business School Citation Guide (download the pdf
from HBS).
I will assign grades based on a grading rubric (available on Blackboard) that evaluates the quality
of your analysis, evidence provided in support of your arguments, and clarity of writing.
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