Essential Quantitative Methods

Les Oakshott is a former Associate Fellow of Warwick Business School, UK. He has worked in industry and education and has wide experience of applying teaching quantitative methods in a business context.

This concise and accessible textbook covers all of the key quantitative methods needed to solve everyday business problems. Les Oakshott's clear and friendly writing style guides students from basic statistics, through to advanced topics, such as hypothesis testing and time series, as well as operational research techniques such as linear programming and inventory management. Step-by-step instructions and accompanying activities will help students to practice and gain confidence in carrying out techniques. The book's coverage is fully grounded within the real world of business. Real-life case studies open every chapter and numerous examples throughout demonstrate why quantitative techniques are needed for a business to be successful.
An ideal textbook for undergraduate students of business, management and finance, it is also widely used by MBA students and postgraduates.

The new edition of this accessible textbook provides ideal introductory coverage of quantitative methods. It offers real world business examples and case studies to illustrate problem-solving in empirical situations. Student learning is comprehensively supported by extensive online resources.

Oakshott provides accessible, concise coverage of key quantitative methods, while always keeping the real-world business context in mind

PART I: MATHEMATICAL APPLICATIONS Revision Mathematics.- 2. Keeping up with Change: Index Numbers.- PART II: COLLECTING AND INTERPRETING DATA 3. Collecting Data: Surveys and Samples.- 4. Finding Patterns in Data: Charts and Tables.- 5. Making Sense of Data: Averages and Measures of Spread.- PART III: PROBABILITY& STATISTICS 6. Taking a Chance: Probability.- 7. The Shape of Data: Probability Distributions.- 8. Interpreting with Confidence: Analysis of Sample Data.- 9. Checking Ideas: Testing a Hypothesis.- 10. Cause and Effect: Correlation and Regression.- PART IV: DECISION MAKING TECHNIQUES 11. How to make Good Decisions.- 12. Choosing wisely: Investment Appraisal.- 13. Forecasting: Time Series Analysis.- 14. Making the Most of Things: Linear Programming.- 15. Planning Large Projects: Network Analysis.- 16. Managing Stock Levels: Materials Management and Inventory Control.