Business Administration Programmes
Assignment 2
Course: BUAD801 Decision Support Tools and Techniques
Lecturer: Dr Sampath Fernando
Stream: 233-235 4pm Monday April 14th 2025
Due: 4pm Thursday April 10th 2025 (soft copy submission through Moodle only)
POINTS to NOTE:
- There are 100 marks for this assignment which is 15% of the final course
- The word limit for this assignment is 1,500 words (+/-10%), excluding references, figures, tables, and appendixes.
- Use Arial or Times New Roman font size 12 and 5 line spacing.
- Ensure you follow academic citation and referencing requirements, as failure to do so may invoke penalties. Use APA (7th ). A reference list is required.
- You are also required to reference the use of any tools/software/application. This includes using artificial intelligence (AI) to paraphrase or proofread, which requires a statement where
- Upon submission your assignment will be checked for copied materials as well as the use of AI (artificial intelligence), with penalties to be applied where appropriate and if not appropriately referenced.
- You may submit your assignment as a draft submission (Moodle/Turnitin) to check the similarity prior to making your final submission.
- Late submissions incur a 5% penalty (5 marks) for each 24-hour period up to 96 hours (after that time, your mark will be recorded as zero).
- An extension may be granted if, within the prescribed timeframe, you submit an ‘Assignment Extension Application’ form with supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate) to the Programme Administration Unit.
- As part of pass requirements for this course, you are required to pass each learning outcome at least once in this course.
Learning Outcomes:
As set out in your Course Outline, this assignment requires you to:
- LO4 Apply calculations using appropriate instruments to distinguish between using forecasting and regression tools.
For the country used in assignment one, use the quarterly data as extracted from https://stats.oecd.org (available on the BUAD801 Moodle page) for the period 2013 – 2024, For the following variables:
- GDP per Capita
- CPI growth from year to year
- FDI as % of GDP
- Unemployment population
Apply quantitative analysis instruments to:
- Conduct a regression analysis to examine the relationships between the four variables Interpret the results and determine what they indicate in terms of the relationships between the variables and whether they are statistically significant. Justify any conclusions you can make from the analysis. (25 marks)
- Choose and discuss appropriate forecasting methods for one period ahead for each of the four variables above. Using the calculations you have performed, justify the choice(s) of a specific forecast method using an appropriate quantitative method(s). (25 marks)
- Using the calculations from the regression analysis (Requirement 1) and forecasting (Requirement 2), distinguish between regression analysis instruments and forecasting methods in making decisions utilising academic sources to support your arguments.(45 marks)
- Use appropriate academic writing conventions (5 marks)
The Excel worksheet (for the selected country) must be uploaded as a separate file with the raw data table and all the Excel sheets for the regression and forecasting calculations
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Grading |
D- (0% – 39%) |
D (40% – 49%) |
C (50% – 64%) |
B (65% – 79%) |
A (80% 100%) |
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Regression analysis |
Regression analysis instruments are inaccurate or not applied to examine the relationship between variables. Interpretation of the measures is missing, inaccurate or not aligned with the analysis. Justification of the instruments used was not mentioned. |
Regression analysis instruments are applied to examine the relationship between variables with some errors. Interpretation of the measures is incomplete, has some errors, or is misaligned with the analysis. The analysis’s justification mentioned with errors. |
Regression analysis instruments were applied correctly to examine the relationship between variables. An accurate interpretation of the measures is aligned with the analysis. Accurate justification of the instruments of the analysis. |
Regression analysis instruments were applied clearly to examine the relationship between all variables. Robust interpretation of the measures is well aligned with the analysis. Clear justification of the instruments of the analysis. |
Regression analysis instruments are applied
A comprehensive examine the relationship between all variables.
A thoughtful interpretation of the measures is highly aligned with the analysis. Comprehensive justification of the instruments of the analysis. |
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Marks out of 25= Student Feedback |
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Forecasting methods |
Forecasting methods are inaccurate, and not applied for the required period for each of the four variables with errors. A discussion of the method is missing, Justification of the choice of method(s) is missing or limited. |
Forecasting methods were applied for the required period for each of the four variables with errors. The discussion of the method(s) is incomplete with errors and is not supported by relevant research, Justification of the choice of method(s) using quantitative tools is incomplete. |
Appropriate forecasting methods were applied correctly for one year ahead for each of the four variables. An accurate discussion of the forecasting method(s) used supported by relevant research. Accurate justification of the choice of method(s) using correct quantitative methods |
Appropriate forecasting methods were applied clearly for one year ahead for each of the four variables. A robust discussion of each method used is supported by relevant research. Clear justification of the choice of method(s) using accurate quantitative tools. |
Appropriate forecasting methods were applied comprehensively for one year ahead for each of the four variables. A thoughtful discussion of the methods used supported by relevant research. Comprehensive justification of the choice of method(s) using quantitative tools aligned with the methods used. |
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Marks out of 25= Student Feedback |
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Distinguish |
Differences between the regression analysis and the chosen forecasting method(s) are missing or inaccurate. Arguments are not supported with relevant references. |
Differences between the regression analysis and the chosen forecasting method(s) are incompletely identified and discussed with errors. Arguments are not well supported with relevant references. |
Differences between the chosen regression analysis and forecasting method(s) are accurately identified and discussed. Arguments are supported with relevant references. |
Differences between the regression analysis and forecasting method(s) chosen are clearly identified and discussed. Arguments are clearly supported with a range of relevant references. |
Differences between the chosen regression analysis and forecasting method(s) are comprehensively identified and discussed. A wide range of relevant references strongly supports arguments. |
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Marks out of 45= Student Feedback |
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Academic writing |
Academic writing |
Academic writing |
Academic writing |
Academic writing conventions |
Academic writing conventions |
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Convention |
conventions are not followed including formatting grammar, spelling and |
conventions are followed inconsistently including formatting, grammar, spelling and references |
conventions are followed including formatting, grammar, spelling and references |
are followed clearly and consistently Including formatting, grammar spelling and references |
are followed meticulously including formatting, grammar , spelling and references |
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references |
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Marks out of 5 = Student Feedback |
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Learning Outcome Achievement |
Achieved Yes/No |
How was the LO achieved or why not? |
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Learning Outcome 4 |