The first part of ten cases are mini-cases, that is, with a limited issue and a small dataset. The second part contains wider issues and most often larger datasets. The cases within each part are numbered in the order topics typically will occur in an introductory courses in statistics. For some topics that are not commonly treated in textbooks, we have supplied some theory. All cases are based on problems and data collected over many years. A few data sets are slightly modified in order to bring forward an issue more clearly and/or to bring anonymity to the data. In some cases the years are changed to “bring the problem into the current century”. For each case there are to text files (.pdf format), the text presentation and the suggested solution, and a data file (Excel worksheet format).

Recent Submissions

  • 9 - Breakfast Cereal 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Working paper, 2007-10-10)
    Topic: Cluster analysis and alternatives Context: The following data (units omitted) on the content of 23 different brands of breakfast cereal were read from the packages found in two food stores in Bergen in the ...
  • 6 - Fish Farming 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-07)
    Topic: Distribution, mean and variation over time Context: The business of fish farming offers many challenging problems where you have to combine economics and bioscience. This also offers lots of opportunities for ...
  • 13 - Response Times 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-14)
    Topics: One-sample and two-sample estimation and testing, analysis of variance and regression Context: The users of a data base system, e.g. in a bank, will emphasize short response times when searching the data ...
  • 18 - Union Card 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-19)
    Topic: T-tests, analysis of variance, regression Context: The labour union UNI has doubled its membership during the last year, due to desertion from another union. Some new offers to the membership are under ...
  • 7 - Car Insurance 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-08)
    Topic: Categorical variables, covariation and explanation Context: The insurance company CI specializes in car insurance, and wants to get some preliminary views from the market about added features to the comprehensive ...
  • 10 - Hotel Tourism 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Working paper, 2007-10-11)
    Topic: Factor analysis and Discriminant analysis Context: This case is based on answers of questionnaires given to tourists at hotels in three different regions of Norway, here named Valleyland, Fjordland and ...
  • 11 - Takeover 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-12)
    Topic: Estimation with error limits Context: An industry group has for some years owned a company in the building trade with branches in several cities. Now they have decided to sell the company to a foreign company. ...
  • 17 - Tax Audit 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-18)
    Topic: Comparisons, regression and outliers Context: The establishment ”Nels” has live music every Friday and Saturday. The guests have to pay a cover charge of 50 NOK kr, and if the cloakroom is used, a wardrobe fee ...
  • 3 - Sold Out 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-04)
    Topic: Binomial counts in a time context Context: The food chain SO has four stores in the same region getting supplies from the same inventory. They consider introducing a new data based ordering system in all four ...
  • 16 - Lost Sales 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-17)
    Topic: Two-sample comparisons Context: Our firm started a certain business service in the early 1990’s. The concept was a success, and several other firms were established in the mid 1990’s offering similar services. ...
  • Preface 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-01)
    This is a case collection in data analysis containing cases mostly relevant for business studies. The first part of ten cases are mini-cases, that is, with a limited issue and a small dataset. The second part contains wider ...
  • 8 - Vodka Sales 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-09)
    Topic: Time series analysis and prediction Context: A wholesale dealer of liquor has on record the sales each month of a certain brand of vodka for the period of July 2001 - June 2004. The data is available in the ...
  • 12 - Cashier Fraud 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Working paper, 2007-10-13)
    Topic: Variation and extremes Context : This case deals with cashier fraud at a supermarket, involv¬ing so-called “return money” when the cashiers have to correct errors. The supermarket in question has 16 cashiers, ...
  • 5 - Minced Meat 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-06)
    Topic: Statistical Process Control Context: A slaughterhouse has initiated a program to implement quality management ideas at their production facility. Among others, this means an effort to keep all their processes ...
  • 14 - Operating Expenses 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-15)
    Topic: Multidimensional categorical and numerical variables - association and explanation A civil service operates throughout the state and has a number of cars. Purchasing and maintenance are decentralized to 6 ...
  • 19 - Hospital Expenses 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-20)
    Topic: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) Context: A county wants to look into a specific type of costs at three of its regional hospitals. The last three years the average cost per patient day of stay, adjusted for ...
  • 1 - Drum Costs 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-02)
    Topic: Linear fit Context: A developer of oil fields makes extensive use of drums of various sizes and specifications. For project cost estimation they need rough estimates of their costs. As an alternative to looking ...
  • 2 - Coding Errors 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-03)
    Topic: Two-sample binomial counts Context: Many jobs involve entering codes into an information system. In order to avoid rework, confusion and trouble, the codes have to be memorized and remembered correctly. This ...
  • 15 - City Parking 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Others, 2007-10-16)
    Topic: Estimation with confidence, t-tests Context: The city parking company of Bergen, Norway had in the period 1983-1988 two shifts for emptying the parking meters and ticket machines. The two shifts were alternating ...
  • 20 - Customer Satisfaction 

    Lillestøl, Jostein (Working paper, 2007-10-21)
    Topics: Possible methods of analysis are: Cross tabulation - chisquare tests Analysis of variance Regression analysis Factor analysis Discriminant analysis Cluster analysis Context: For producers of ...

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