Books for Business Analytics Bachelors and Masters Program Students

Business analytics skills are in high demand. Companies need employees with business know-how combined with the skills needed to interpret and organize data. More and more, companies are relying on analytics to guide their decision making, and those that don’t are falling behind.

Whether you’re a bachelor’s or a master’s program student in business analytics or completely new to the field, if you’re interested in learning more about business analytics, big data, and what it’s all about, here are some essential titles that can give you a running start.

1. Even you can learn statistics and analytics:

In this highly-regarded introductory text, two veteran educators provide an overview that is designed to be accessible even to complete beginners. The fully-updated third edition includes three brand-new chapters covering Big Data and other emerging developments in analytics. Not a math person? You won’t be daunted by Levine and Stephan’s approach, which communicates statistics fundamentals in a way that does not require familiarity with mathematical equations. (In case you do want to do the math, the authors provide optional “Equation Blackboard” segments). The book also includes directions on using Microsoft Excel to obtain solutions.

2. Business Analytics - Methods, Models and Decisions:

Ready to level up? University of Cincinnati professor James R. Evans, the author of numerous textbooks covering a variety of business disciplines, is your guide in a text that delves into more advanced territory while still focusing on the fundamentals. Evans provides readers with extensive examples that illustrate how business analytics can be applied to a variety of real-world scenarios. You’ll come away with a solid  understanding of how to leverage analytics to make more effective business decisions. An added bonus: the book comes with access to commercial-grade analytics software that you can use to gain further hands-on experience.

3. Marketing Data Science:

For a slightly more advanced reader, Marketing and Data Science by Thomas Miller journeys more deeply into analytics concepts, and includes analytics solutions using the programming languages Python and R. Topics covered include web analytics, network science, information technology, and programming. Dr. Thomas Miller, the author, has helped to design multiple analytics courses for Northwestern University where he serves as the faculty director of the university’s predictive analytics program. He also owns a data science application company and spent nearly 15 years in business information technology before turning to academia.

4. Business Analytics - Descriptive, Predictive, Prescriptive:

The straightforward title notwithstanding, this book goes beyond a mere overview of business analytics fundamentals. You’ll get a handle on advanced analytical concepts such as data visualization, descriptive data mining, and non-linear optimization models. While it’s not aimed at complete newbies, the book nevertheless presents its concepts in an approachable way, ideal for those still becoming versed in the field and its lingo. The authors also cover the basic use of some popular analytics software, including SAS’s JMP Pro, and the latest edition includes bonus information on using Excel in data analytics.

5. Big Data Analytics in Cybersecurity:

Interested in Cyber Analytics? Check out this 2017 overview by Onur Savas and Julia Deng which provides readers with perspectives from academics, government laboratories, and industries on the importance of combining cybersecurity skills with big data analytics. Cloud computing and the difficulties in securing the Internet of Things (IoT) – two of the most pressing concerns in cybersecurity today -- are covered in this text. Additional topics include: network forensics, threat analysis, vulnerability assessment, visualization, and cyber training. One key strength of the book: multiple perspectives offered from experts in various areas of specialization in the field.

Got the analytics bug? Want to learn more? Check out our programs in business analytics at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.