Introduction to the Analytics Mindset and Skillset

Description

This session introduces the analytical mindset and the technical and conceptual skills used throughout the course. Developing these skills is important because effective analytics requires not only the ability to use analytical tools, but also the ability to identify appropriate questions, evidence, and methods.

Motivation

What can analytics tell us?

Review

This session establishes the foundation for the course by considering how data and analytical methods can be used to address accounting and business questions. The concepts introduced here provide the framework for evaluating the tools and analyses developed throughout the remainder of the course.

Preparation

• There is no required preparation for this class.

Class plan

• We will discuss the syllabus to familiarize everyone with the course content and requirements, including the common final project (see link below).
• We will discuss the MPAcc mindsets with a focus on the analytical mindset and the questioning mindset.
• We will discuss and connect to tools that will form our analytical toolkit which we will use to develop various analytical skillsets.
• We will orient ourselves to the remote labs and make sure everyone can connect to the labs effectively.
• Finally, we will preview our next class which begins the extract, transform, and load (ETL) process module.