Quantitative Methods for Management

This curricular unit requires a basic knowledge of statistics, corresponding to the Statistics curricular unit(s) of an undergraduate degree.

 The classes are designed, according to the curriculum plan, to be both theoretical and practical. In the theoretical part of the lesson, the interactive expository method will be frequently used to introduce concepts, fundamental results, and methods, in order to encourage active participation by all students. The practical part will be designed to problem-solving, with computer support, under the guidance of the teacher. The two parts will be interspersed in a sequence that optimizes the acquisition of skills.

Support materials are available on the Nonio platform.

This course unit presents an overview of the main statistical techniques of data analysis, with emphasis on the fundamental concepts, conditions of application and interpretation of results. The initial data collection phase will also be covered, focusing on two important topics: sampling and questionnaires.

It is intended to develop in the student the ability to critically select and apply statistical methods to data analysis, which will support decision making. It is also intended that the student is able to implement quantitative analysis using statistical software (SPSS).

1. Quantitative information

  1.1. Data collection: sampling and questionnaires

  1.2. Describing data: descriptive statistical techniques

2. Testing Hypotheses: statistical inference

  2.1. Confidence intervals

  2.2. Parametric tests

  2.3. Non parametric tests

3. Multivariate analysis 

  3.1. Factor analysis

  3.2. Regression analysis

In this course, students are assessed under a periodic assessment regime, which includes two mandatory components: coursework and a written exam. Therefore, assessment based solely on an exam is not permitted.

Coursework

- The coursework is graded on a scale from 0 to 10, and the coursework guidelines are made available on the InforEstudante|Nonio platform.

- The coursework consists of the coursework components (file(s) generated using the software, a written report, and a presentation), to be submitted by the deadline specified on the InforEstudante|Nonio platform, accounting for 70% of the grade for this component, as well as an in-person presentation and discussion, conducted during the scheduled period, accounting for 30% of the grade for this component.

- Completion of the coursework is mandatory in all assessment periods. However, its format, as well as the deadlines for submission, presentation, and discussion, vary according to the assessment period:

a) When completed during the regular examination period, the coursework is carried out in groups of 2 to 4 students, with the deadline for submission of the coursework components being the end of the Monday preceding the final class of the term. The presentation and discussion take place during the final class of the term, and participation by all group members is mandatory.

b) When completed during the resit or special examination period, the coursework is completed individually, with the deadline for submission of the coursework components being the end of the fourth business day prior to the date of the exam for which the student is registered. The presentation and discussion take place on the exam date.

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