Week 1
discussion
Population parameters or population characteristics can be
estimated by taking representative samples of a population. In other words,
conclusions about an entire population can be inferred from a sampling of that
population. This sampling of the population can then be examined and inferences
made about the general population it represents. Various measures provide
different types of data or measures of data from which conclusions can be
derived. Examples of these types of measures are Measures of Central Tendency
and Measures of Dispersion.
Address all of the following questions in a brief but
thorough manner.
What are the most common measures of central tendency?
Include brief definitions for the common measures of central tendency as part
of your initial posting.
How do these measures differ? How are they the same?
What information is provided by each of these measures and
what do they tell us? How could you use measures of central tendency in
decision making as a leader and/or manager?
What are the various measures of dispersion?
What are the uses of these measures and what are their
limitations?
What does each of these measures tell a researcher? A leader
or manager?
The final paragraph (three or four sentences) of your
initial post should summarize the one or two key points that you are making in
your initial response.
Your posting should be the equivalent of 1 to 3
single-spaced pages (500–1500 words) in length.
Week 2
discussion
Investments are based on the belief that the rate of return
justifies or compensates the investor for the risk associated with that
particular investment. The risk associated with this investment is associated
with the chance that a loss will be incurred. Or, to put it another way, the
greater the chance of a loss the more risky the investment. Therefore, some
statistical measures of the risk involved with an investment are necessary
before the investment is made.
Address all of the following questions in a brief but
thorough manner.
What is the Expected Rate of Return on an investment and
what does it tell us about the probability of the risk involved with a
particular investment?
How could the required rate of return of an investment be
estimated?
In terms of risk, what are the advantages (and/or
disadvantages) of a well-diversified portfolio?
The final paragraph (three or four sentences) of your
initial post should summarize at least the one or two key points that you are
making in your initial response.
Your posting should be the equivalent of 1 to 2
single-spaced pages (500–1000 words) in length.
Week 3
discussion
Investors use the financial statements in many ways. One of
the most important uses of these statements is to evaluate past performance and
project future performance.
Address all of the following questions in a brief but
thorough manner.
What are the major financial statements and what types of
information does each provide the user?
What is a pro forma financial statement and what types of information
does it provide the user?
Who and what are the potential users and uses of these types
of pro forma financial statements?
The final paragraph (three or four sentences) of your
initial post should summarize the one or two key points that you are making in
your initial response.
Your posting should be the equivalent of 1 to 2
single-spaced pages (500–1000 words) in length.
Week 4
discussion
A firm’s capital structure is determined by more than just a
component cost for each source of capital and is not fixed over time. Rather,
the capital structure of a firm is determined by conditions in the domestic and
international economies and it should also reflect changing conditions in the
economy. In other words, the relationship between risk and return should be the
major consideration in establishing the capital structure of the firm and the
value of the firm.
Address all of the following questions in a brief but
thorough manner.
What is the basic relationship between risk and return and
how is this reflected in the value of the firm’s stock? The cost of debt?
What are the primary factors that should be considered when
establishing a firm’s capital structure?
What are the primary differences and/or similarities between
financial risk and business risk?
The final paragraph (three or four sentences) of your
initial post should summarize the one or two key points that you are making in
your initial response.
Your posting should be the equivalent of 1 to 2
single-spaced pages (500–1000 words) in length.
Week 5 discussion
Capital budgeting is the process by which long-term fixed
assets are evaluated and possibly selected or rejected for investment purposes.
The purpose of capital budgeting is to evaluate potential projects for possible
investment by the firm.
Address all of the following questions in a brief but
thorough manner.
What are the various methods for evaluating possible capital
projects, in terms of their possible benefits to the firm? Describe the
benefits and/or shortcomings of each.
What is the NPV profile and what are its uses?
The final paragraph (three or four sentences) of your
initial post should summarize the one or two key points that you are making in
your initial response.
Your posting should be the equivalent of 1 to 2
single-spaced pages (500–1000 words) in length.
