Module 3 - SLPObtaining the Data for the Research ContextDescriptive statistics are used to learn about the characteristics of a measure that is collected over time or may be a measure of an item from a survey administered to many people. Typically, descriptive statistics are the average score (mean), the maximum, the minimum in the scores along with the variation. Descriptive statistics is used to describe the measures rather than to make inference centered around the same item or conceptual construct being measured. Thus, descriptive statistics is not inferential statistics and does not use probability to infer behaviors of a population from which the measures were drawn.Descriptive statistics fits the background analysis for your firm selected for your dissertation. Here you have financial and performance measures of the firm with respect to others in the same competitive space. In most cases descriptive measures can be used to generate trend lines to try and forecast based on past measures.Here is a descriptive spreadsheet for the United Way of Orange County that shows the average and standard deviation for revenues and expenses from the 990 Report we looked at in SLP 2. Here in this spreadsheet Figure 4 (click the image to open the file) you see by clicking the various tabs on the lower part of the spreadsheet graphs that can be generated from this 990 data. Columns F and G have the average and standard deviation of the revenue and expense measures, but they are rather static. To use the years of revenue and expense measures, you can click the Forecast Sheet tab on your tool bar. This is how the graphs for Revenues, Expenses, and Net were produced where a technique called exponential smoothly is used that factors in the four years of data to produce the trend lines in the forecast.Figure 4.Chapter 18 in:Carlberg, C. (2016). Excel sales forecasting for dummies, 2nd edition. John Wiley & Sons. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 132620 in the search bar.SLP Assignment ExpectationsNow examine the secondary data you have on your firm from SLP 2 or add more to the data as needed. Look at the sample and review the Excel book and particularly the one on Exponential Smoothing. Calculate some descriptive statistics for your data and prepare some forecast charts. Remember the Forecast Sheet tool on the upper toolbar next to What If Analysis. Produce a spreadsheet with associated graphs; also provide a page or two to discuss this data analysis and the conclusions you have drawn. Add this to the growing work you have on the Background for the firm you are studying.Your assignment will be graded using the following criteria:Assignment-Driven Criteria: Student demonstrates mastery covering all key elements of the assignment.Critical Thinking/Application to Professional Practice: Student demonstrates mastery conceptualizing the problem and analyzing information. Conclusions are logically presented and applied to professional practice in an exceptional manner.Business Writing and Quality of References: Student demonstrates mastery and proficiency in written communication and use of appropriate and relevant literature at the doctoral level.Citing Sources: Student demonstrates mastery applying APA formatting standards to both in-text citations and the reference list.Professionalism and Timeliness: Assignments are submitted on time.Module 3 - BackgroundObtaining the Data for the Research ContextRequired ReadingBarnett, J., Vasileiou, K. Thorpe, S., and Young, T. (2015, January). Justifying the adequacy of samples in qualitative interview-based studies: Differences between and within journals. In Quality in qualitative research and enduring problematics. Symposium conducted by the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom. Retrieved May 10, 2018, from http://www.bath.ac.uk/sps/events/Documents/27_jan_2015_slides/julie_barnett.pdfChapters 1-4 in:Carlberg, C. (2016). Excel sales forecasting for dummies, 2nd edition. John Wiley & Sons. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 132620 in the search bar.Preface in:Dean, S., & Illowsky, B. (2014). Collaborative Statistics. Connexions: Rice University. Creative Commons License 3.0. Retrieved from https://cnx.org/contents/XgdE-Z55@40.9:LnCgyaMt@17/PrefaceChapter 1 in:Dean, S., & Illowsky, B. (2014). Collaborative Statistics. Connexions: Rice University. Creative Commons License 3.0. Retrieved from https://cnx.org/contents/gLOpQmDR@1.28:AkLGjuVA@15/Video-Lecture-1-Sampling-and-DataDudovskiy, J. (n.d.) Sampling. Retrieved May 10, 2018, from the Research Methodology website at https://research-methodology.net/sampling-in-primary-data-collection/Råheim, M., Magnussen, L. H., Sekse, R., Lunde, A., Jacobsen, T., & Blystad, A. (2016). Researcher–researched relationship in qualitative research: Shifts in positions and researcher vulnerability. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 11, 10.3402/qhw.v11.30996. Retrieved May 10, 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4910304/Rowley, J. (2014). Designing and using research questionnaires. Management Research Review. Retrieved May 10, 2018, from https://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/579515/1/Designing%20and%20using%20Research%20QuestionnairesREV18042013.pdfStockberger, D. (2016). Introductory statistics: Concepts, models, and applications. Missouri State University. Retrieved from http://www.psychstat.missouristate.edu/introbook/sbk19.htmTaherdoost, H. (2016). Sampling methods in research methodology: How to choose a sampling technique for research. International Journal of Academic Research in Management (IJARM ), 5(2), 18–27.Yip, C., Han, N., & Sng, B. (2016). Legal and ethical issues in research. Indian Journal of Anaesthesia, 60(9), 684–688. Retrieved May 10, 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037952/Video MaterialFlipp, C. (2014, Feburary 22). Qualitative Sampling [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dn4u9DPmDsFlipp, C. (2014, March 3). Quantitative sampling [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKUAop1Pre0Excel Campus - Jon. (2015, February 4). Introduction to pivot tables, charts and dashboards in Excel (part 1) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NUjHBNWe9MExcel ResourcesBrown, N., Lave, B., Romey, J., Schatz, M., & Shingledecker, M. (2018) Beginning Excel. OpenOregon, Creative Commons License. Retrieved from https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/beginningexcel/ and https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/beginningexcel/front-matter/introduction/ExcellsFun. (2016, May 20). Highline Excel 2016 class 15: Excel charts to visualize data: Comprehensive lesson 11 chart examples [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLmtGk7Ymy8&t=2003sChapter 10 in:Harvey, G. (2016). Excel 2016 for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 117498 in the search bar.Book II: Chapters 1–4 andBook V: Chapter 1 in:Harvey, G. (2016). Excel 2016 All-in-One For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. Available in the Trident Online Library: Follow these instructions for Finding Skillsoft Books. Enter 112925 in the search bar.Kaceli, S. (2016, January 24). Excel 2016 Tutorial: A comprehensive guide on Excel for anyone [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lXerL3DHRw. Note: This video runs for 2 hours.Optional ReadingCooper, B. (2017). The best ways to persuade people. Retrieved May 10, 2018, from the Planio website at https://plan.io/blog/the-best-ways-to-persuade-people/Hearn, P. (2016). 5 ways to encourage people to complete your online survey. Retrieved May 10, 2018, from the MRDC Software website at http://www.mrdcsoftware.com/blog/5-ways-to-encourage-people-to-complete-your-online-survey

Week 2 - AssignmentIndustry ForecastingSelect an industry that interests you. Using the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) analysis as covered in the text, analyze the factors that may impact the industry that you have selected and the successful marketing of a company’s product. Evaluate the factors you perceive to be the biggest strengths and weaknesses. Describe some opportunities for growth that could be capitalized over the next five years.Your paper must be a minimum of three to four pages (not including the title and reference pages) and be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. You must use at least three scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library, one of which must be peer reviewed, in addition to the textbook.The paperMust be three to four double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..Must include a separate title page with the following:Title of paperStudent’s nameCourse name and numberInstructor’s nameDate submittedMust use at least three scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library, one of which must be peer reviewed, in addition to the textbook.Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing CenterCarefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

As a team, develop Project Procurement Management Plan for the E-mail Upgrade Project described in the Scenario. The Plan should consist of the following sections:1.0 Overview: describe the Procurement Management Process you will use (1-2 paragraphs)2.0 Contract Planning (2-3 pages): Deliverable.2.1 Write a statement of work (SOW) describing the project deliverables and scope of the effort. You will need to make creative assumptions based on the outline provided in the scenario. The emphasis here is on demonstrating your understanding of the content or type of information that would be contained in a SOW2.2 Identify two potential types of contracts you would consider, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each.Please add your file.3.0 Evaluation Criteria (2 pages): 3.1 Develop ten evaluation criteria you will use to evaluate vendor proposals.3.2 Develop a weighting chart and methodology that assigns a weighted value to each criterion and describe your selection methodology in 2-3 paragraphs.