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Creating a typology of analytics Master’s degrees in UK universities: Implications for employers and educators

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Stewart RobinsonORCiD

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Abstract

© Operational Research Society 2019.In recent years there has been a growth in specialised analytics Master’s degrees, in the UK and beyond. However, there has been little research into the contents of such degrees. In particular, the role disciplines such as operational research play within them remains an under-explored area. Using a mixed-methods approach, this article analyses UK Master’s degrees in analytics to determine a typology of provisions. Firstly, a support vector classifier is used to identify the traditional disciplines analytics degrees most closely align with. Secondly, a hybrid approach to analyse the modules included in analytics curricula is employed, as part of which a new metric (module topic weighting) is presented. The analysis identifies two main categories of degrees, the first aligning with machine learning and computing topics; the second operational research and business themes. The paper concludes by evaluating the implications this has for students, employers, educators and the operational research discipline.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Mortenson MJ, Doherty NF, Robinson S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of the Operational Research Society

Year: 2020

Volume: 71

Issue: 9

Pages: 1327-1346

Print publication date: 01/09/2020

Online publication date: 14/06/2019

Acceptance date: 05/04/2019

ISSN (print): 0160-5682

ISSN (electronic): 1476-9360

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/01605682.2019.1605468

DOI: 10.1080/01605682.2019.1605468

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