BUA 5010 - Problem Framing and Data Preparation

Credits: 4

This course offers a broad introduction to the domain of business analytics, as seen from the perspective of evidence-based management. The course is comprised of two segments: Segment 1 introduces students to the foundational concepts of data analytic literacy, evidence-based management, and data analytic planning; Segment 2 engages students in developing a robust, hands-on knowledge of basic data preparation, due diligence, and feature engineering work.

The data manipulation part of the course uses real-life data files sourced from the industry, and students learn how to identify, plan, and execute a wide array of data processing steps using SPSS Statistics, a GUI (graphical user interface / point-and-click system) application used to manipulate, process, and analyze data. The course makes extensive use of practical examples and demonstrations all geared toward equipping students with theoretically sound but highly practically minded knowledge of why and how to prepare data to conduct meaningful analyses geared toward creation of decision-guiding knowledge.