BM9717 - Data Management and Visualization

You will be supported by a teaching and learning plan (TLP) which outlines the formal sessions (lectures and IT workshops), 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 management 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 tool, R. 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 management 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 analytics software. You will have access to industrial standard data analytics 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 Masters' 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 the personal tutor sessions embedded into the Leadership and Management Development module, 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:
• Having developed a critical understanding of data selection, data manipulation and data spatial visualization across a range of key business functions [MLO1]

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
Develop appropriate data management skills using data analysis tool, R, to support business analytics [MLO2]
• Apply and critically evaluate effective data visualizations in order to provide new insights into a research question or communicate information to the viewer in real-life business scenarios [MLO3]

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Developing the key skills you need to succeed in future careers and build in your employability skills as part of your basic toolkit for life. (MLO4)
• Handle data and data visualizations in a manner that demonstrates an understanding of ethical considerations surrounding data (including data storage, citation, and protection) [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; a 3,000 word report (weighted 60% and covered MLO1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4 and MLO5) and a group presentation and demonstration of work result (weighted 40% and covered MLO2, MLO3 and MLO4).

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Data management and visualization is the foundation for organizations’ business analytics, and for problem solving and decision-making. This module introduces you to data acquisition, organization, management and visualization in a business setting. Based on existing data, you will learn to develop a research question, describe the variables and their relationships, calculate basic statistics, and present your results clearly. This module is designed to teach you to handle data programmatically, without being software engineers. By the end of the module, you will be able to use one of the powerful data analysis tools – R – to manage and visualize your data, including how to deal with missing data, variable groups, and graphs. Using real-world datasets, standard software packages and data visualisation techniques, you’ll learn how to organise and analyse data collections to answer questions about the world, 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 management and visualization and substantial practical skill of using R data analysis tool to support business decision making, 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.