BM9617 - Analytics and Visualization for Management

You will be supported by a teaching and learning plan (TLP) which outlines the formal sessions (lectures, IT workshops and Webinars), together with tutor-directed study and independent study/reading. You will be provided each week by a one-hour lecture which covers various theoretical concepts relating to data analytics and visualization supported through reference and demonstration of appropriate IT applications. These lectures will be followed by a supporting 2-hour IT workshop where you will gain practical, hands-on experience of using contemporary data analysis and visualization tool, Excel Dashboard and Power BI. You will be able to follow up on these lectures and IT workshops through a one-hour weekly webinar with the members of the teaching team and fellow students to reinforce both the practical and theoretical learning. Directed learning will centre upon a range of activities including your pre-reading, your preparation for interactive and workshop based activities and use of the discussion board on the e-learning platform. Independent learning will centre upon you identifying and pursuing areas of interest in relation to data analytics and visualization, by providing deeper/broader knowledge and understanding of the subject through a range of learning activities that will include extended reading, reflection, research etc. Critical reflection on knowledge, experience and practice underpins the learning and teaching philosophy along with the explicit development of competence. Moreover, this module emphasises enquiry-based learning and will involve you being an active participant in your learning to develop a research question based on existing data in the business situations. The group work arrangement is centred on the students at the heart of the activity by guiding you to ask well researched questions and share your findings with peers. Furthermore, research tutored approach will enhance your research rich learning experience through the module delivery by the module tutor and various research subject experts.

The university is well-placed to support you in learning and research with excellent library and teaching facilities, as well as access to relevant and up-to-date data analysis and visualization software. You will have access to industrial standard data analysis and visualization software supported by additional Blackboard materials and access to Northumbria University's library and databases.

Academic content and delivery will be enhanced through opportunity for guest practitioner expert input.

In addition, you will be supported at a programme level by an induction programme to introduce you to the University and the Undergraduates' programme. Each of you will also be assigned a personal tutor to provide pastoral support and guidance throughout the programme. Further support is provided to you through summative and formative feedback, and a module teaching and learning plan detailing the delivery structure and University requirements.

You will be supported by an academic teaching team led by a designated module tutor. The module will have e-learning portal including all the materials related to this course supported by BB Ultra in addition to an electronic reading list.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Learn and understand how to visualise data from a wide range of different sources, types and forms and apply design principles for effective data visualization to support business analysis [MLO1]

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate the effectiveness of visualization techniques. [MLO2]
• Communicate effectively through oral presentations to present methodologies and findings in a way that is appropriate to the intended audience [MLO3]
• Gain a solid theoretical foundation alongside practical problem-solving techniques by using data analysis and visualization tools in business contexts and present the results via written reports. [MLO4]

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Gain technological and digital literacy and use technologies to source, process and communicate information [MLO5]

Formative assessment will take place through group work, assignment discussion and reflection, discussion board activity on the e-learning platform, workshop-based activity, and theory/practice related discussions. Criteria will be provided to enable you to understand what is expected and how you will be assessed on your performance. You are required to demonstrate self-reflection and reflective practice where appropriate. Formative feedback will be provided throughout the module, particularly in relation to workshop tasks. You should, however be aware that formative feedback can, and will, occur in any communication with an academic tutor.

The summative assessment of this module will comprise two components:

1 An individual brief which focuses on dashboard development (weighted 25% and covering MLO1, MLO2, MLO3)

2 A 2,500 word report (weighted 75% and covering MLO1, MLO2, MLO4, MLO5).

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Data analytics and visualization is the foundation for business analytics, problem solving and decision-making in organizations. In this module, you would learn about the terminology, concepts and techniques behind visualising data, and will get to use contemporary data analysis and visualization tools to get experience of creating visual representations of data. You will gain an understanding of how humans perceive data, and why certain techniques can greatly enhance the effectiveness of any visualisation. We will look at example images to critique them, building up knowledge about what works, and what does not. By the end of the module, you will be able to use the powerful data analysis and visualization tools, Power BI and Excel Dashboard, to analyze and visualize your data. Using real-world datasets, standard software packages and data visualisation techniques, you’ll learn how to organise and analyse data to answer business questions, as well as developing an appreciation of user needs surrounding data systems. Through undertaking this module you will not only develop a depth of knowledge of data analysis and visualization and substantial practical skill of using Power BI and Excel Dashboard to support business decision making for the management, but you will also enhance your abilities and competence across a range of graduate employability skills, including; project planning and management, time management, communication and negotiation.