Introduction

Managers are required to organize, interpret, and display data that is reliable and relevant to the real-world decisions they must make in their businesses. The use of analytical tools will improve your ability to use data to make these informed decisions.

In this task, you will address the business situation in the attached “Linear Regression Analysis Resources” scenario. You will access the scenario and dataset by entering your student ID number in the “Start” tab of the attachment, then continuing to the “Scenario” tab. Using this data set, you will perform a linear regression analysis and write a report in which you recommend a solution by summarizing the key details of your analysis.

For full functionality of the scenario and dataset attachment, you are strongly encouraged to use Microsoft Excel, which is available via the Microsoft Office 365 subscription service provided to all WGU students. It can be downloaded using the “Microsoft Office 365” link in the Web Links section.
Scenario
Refer to the scenario located in the attached “Linear Regression Analysis Resources.”

Requirements

Your submission must be your original work. No more than a combined total of 30% of the submission and no more than a 10% match to any one individual source can be directly quoted or closely paraphrased from sources, even if cited correctly. The originality report that is provided when you submit your task can be used as a guide.
You must use the rubric to direct the creation of your submission because it provides detailed criteria that will be used to evaluate your work. Each requirement below may be evaluated by more than one rubric aspect. The rubric aspect titles may contain hyperlinks to relevant portions of the course.

Tasks may not be submitted as cloud links, such as links to Google Docs, Google Slides, OneDrive, etc., unless specified in the task requirements. All other submissions must be file types that are uploaded and submitted as attachments (e.g., .docx, .pdf, .ppt, .xls).
Complete your linear regression analysis and create a report by doing the following:
Note: The supporting document “Linear Regression Analysis Resources” contains a scenario, data set, and data analysis template. While you must use the scenario and data set provided in the supporting document, the template is optional. You are encouraged to use the template to complete your analysis. Please see supporting document, “QUM Task 1 Getting Started,” for help accessing the scenario and dataset.
A. Summarize the business scenario by doing the following:
1. Describe a business question that could be answered by applying linear regression analysis and is derived from the scenario in the attached “Linear Regression Analysis Resources.”
2. State the null hypothesis for this linear regression analysis.
3. Using relevant details from the scenario, the business question you proposed in part A1, and the null hypothesis you stated in part A2, justify why linear regression is the appropriate analysis technique.
B. Describe the data provided in the attached “Linear Regression Analysis Resources” by doing the following:
1. Describe the relevant data characteristics for your linear regression analysis, including each of the following:
independent variable or variables
dependent variable
level of measurement for each variable
sample size or number of observations
C. Report how you analyzed the data using linear regression by doing the following:

1. Provide the output and calculations of the linear regression analysis you performed.
Note: You may submit the analysis output and calculations using a separate spreadsheet attachment or the optional template in the attached “Linear Regression Analysis Resources.”
Note: The output should include the output from the software you used to perform the analysis.
2. Create a graphical display of the data using a scatter plot that includes each of the following:
chart title
legend
axis titles
Note: This display should be a summary or representation of the data provided, not raw data.
D. Describe the implications of your data analysis from the scenario by doing the following:
1. Interpret the results of the data analysis by doing the following:
a. Discuss the goodness of fit with the supporting test statistic from your linear regression analysis output.
b. Discuss the significance of the independent variable(s) with support from your linear regression analysis results.
c. Create the linear equation, then describe how it can be applied to the scenario in future business decision-making.
2. Discuss a limitation of the research that could affect the recommended course of action.
3. Recommend a course of action that aligns with your linear regression analysis results.
Note: Your recommendation should focus on the results of your analytic technique output from part C1.
E. Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.
F. Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission.

A1:BUSINESS QUESTION
Not Evident
A description of a business question is not provided.
Approaching Competence
The business question described is not derived from the scenario or is not consistent with the application of linear regression analysis.
Competent
The business question described is derived from the scenario and is consistent with the application of linear regression analysis.
A2:NULL HYPOTHESIS
Not Evident
A null hypothesis is not provided.
Approaching Competence
The null hypothesis provided is not accurately stated for the linear regression analysis or is not relevant to the scenario.
Competent
The null hypothesis provided is accurately stated for the linear regression analysis and is relevant to the scenario.
A3:ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE JUSTIFICATION
Not Evident
A justification of linear regression analysis is not provided.
Approaching Competence
The justification of linear regression analysis does not logically explain why it is the appropriate technique to answer the business question from part A1, does not use the null hypothesis from A2, or is not supported with relevant details from the scenario.
Competent
The justification of linear regression analysis logically explains why it is the appropriate technique to answer the business question from part A1, uses the null hypothesis from A2, and is supported with relevant details from the scenario.
B1:DESCRIPTION OF RELEVANT DATA
Not Evident
A description of data characteristics is not provided.
Approaching Competence
The description does not accurately address the relevant data characteristics of the linear regression analysis, or 1 or more of the given elements are not included.
Competent
The description accurately addresses the relevant data characteristics of the linear regression analysis, including each of the given elements.
C1:ANALYSIS OUTPUT AND CALCULATIONS
Not Evident
A linear regression analysis output and calculations are not provided.
Approaching Competence
The linear regression analysis output or calculations provided contain 1 or more inaccuracies.
Competent
The linear regression analysis output and calculations provided are accurate.
C2:GRAPHICAL DISPLAY
Not Evident
A graphical display of the data is not provided.
Approaching Competence
The graphical display of the data does not use a scatter-plot does not accurately represent the data, or does not include 1 or more of the given elements.
Competent
The graphical display of the data uses a scatter plot to accurately represent the data, including each of the given elements.
D1A:GOODNESS OF FIT
Not Evident
A discussion of the goodness of fit is not provided.
Approaching Competence
The discussion of goodness of fit is not supported with the appropriate test statistic from the linear regression analysis output, or the interpretation of the test statistic is inaccurate.
Competent
The discussion of goodness of fit is supported with the appropriate test statistic from the linear regression analysis output, and the interpretation of the test statistic is accurate.
D1B:INDEPENDENT VARIABLE(S) SIGNIFICANCE
Not Evident
A discussion of the significance of the independent variable(s) is not provided.
Approaching Competence
The discussion of the significance of the independent variable(s) is not logical or is not supported by the linear regression analysis results, or the associated interpretation of the comparison to the significance level is inaccurate.
Competent
The discussion logically addresses the significance of the independent variable(s) with support from the linear regression analysis results, and the associated interpretation of the comparison to the significance level is accurate.
D1C:LINEAR EQUATION APPLICATION
Not Evident
A linear equation and an explanation of the equation are not provided.
Approaching Competence
The linear equation provided is not accurate, or the explanation does not logically address the application of the linear equation
Competent
The linear equation provided is accurate, and the explanation logically addresses the application of the linear equation to the scenario in future business decision-making.
D2:LIMITATION
Not Evident
A discussion of a limitation of the research is not provided.
Approaching Competence
The discussion does not accurately describe a limitation of the research that could affect the recommended course of action.
Competent
The discussion accurately describes a limitation of the research that could affect the recommended course of action.
D3:RECOMMENDED COURSE OF ACTION
Not Evident
A recommended course of action is not provided.
Approaching Competence
The recommended course of action is not logically aligned with the results of the linear regression analysis.
Competent
The recommended course of action is logically aligned with the results of the linear regression analysis.
E:SOURCES
Not Evident
The submission does not include both in-text citations and a reference list for sources that are quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.
Approaching Competence
The submission includes in-text citations for sources that are quoted, paraphrased, or summarized and a reference list; however, the citations or reference list is incomplete or inaccurate.
Competent
The submission includes in-text citations for sources that are properly quoted, paraphrased, or summarized and a reference list that accurately identifies the author, date, title, and source location as available.
F:PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Not Evident
This submission includes professional communication errors related to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence fluency. For best results, please focus on the specific Correctness errors identified by Grammarly for Education to help guide your revisions. If you need additional assistance preparing your submission, please contact your Instructor.
Approaching Competence

This submission includes professional communication errors related to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and/or sentence fluency. For best results, please focus on the specific Correctness errors identified by Grammarly for Education to help guide your revisions.
Competent
This submission demonstrates correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence fluency. You have demonstrated quality professional communication skills in this submission.

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