Review of quantitative research design Print Page Inferential statistical methods are widely used in research in order to conduct tests of differences for dependent or independent samples, analyse associations between different types of variables and establish relationships using models between dependent and independent variable(s). For this week's Key Concept Exercise you will evaluate examples of inferential statistical analysis by discussing empirical results and the strengths, weakness and suitability of different statistical estimation and hypothesis testing procedures. To prepare for this Key Concept Exercise: • Read the Required Learning Resources for Week 5. It is strongly recommended that you work through the Week 5 Test Your Knowledge Questions and while undertaking your reading. These are located with the Week 5 Learning Resources. To complete this Key Concept Exercise: • In approximately 500 words, answer TWO of the FOUR questions in the file provided here on Inferential Statistical Analysis (PDF). • By Day 3, submit your Key Concept Exercise to the Turnitin Link provided. Be sure to read over your Key Concept Exercise before submitting it to your Instructor. Make sure the spelling and grammar are correct and the language, citing and referencing you use when providing your opinion are appropriate for academic writing. Learning Resources Required Document: Week 5 Key Concept Overview (PDF) Mark as complete Document: Week 5 Example OLS Regression (Excel) Access this file alongside this week's Key Concept Overview. Mark as complete Collis, J. & Hussey, R. (2013) Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students. 4th ed. London: Palgrave-MacMillan. • Chapter 12, 'Analysing data using inferential statistics' (pp.258-296) Mark as complete Optional Laerd Statistics (2013) Linear Regression Analysis using SPSS Statistics [Online]. Available from:https://statistics.laerd.com/spss-tutorials/linear-regression-using-spss-statistics.php (Accessed 10 December 2015). Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2012) Research Methods for Business Students, 6th ed. Pearson Learning Solutions. • Chapter 12, 'Analysing quantitative data' (pp.472-543) Smith, N. (2010) Linear Regression using Excel [Online]. Utah State University. Available from:https://it.usu.edu/plugins/work/sitemaps/107/files/Linear_Regression_using_Excel.pdf (Accessed 10 December 2015). Document: Week 5 Test Your Knowledge (PDF) Please note that these questions are optional and are not assessed. However, it is recommended that you attempt to answer them as you undertake your preparatory reading for this week. Optional Activity - Quantitative Analysis Document: Week 5 Activity Quantitative Analysis (PDF) Document: Week 5 Activity Quantitative Analysis Data Source (Excel) Please note that this activity is optional and is not assessed. However, it is recommended that you attempt the activity as you undertake your preparatory reading for this week. SPSS Software There are statistical analysis examples in the Collis and Hussey (2013) core text using SPSS. For information on how to access IBM SPSS software via the University of Liverpool, click on SPSS Software in the module navigation menu.