Research and Analysis Project
Research and Analysis Project (RAP)
Due to ACCA’s flexible entry routes, many students enrolling are non-graduates. I joined ACCA straight from A levels and never went to university. The partnership between ACCA and Oxford Brookes University is a chance for such students to get a Bachelors degree.
I recently completed my Research and Analysis Project (RAP). I chose Topic 8, ‘The business and financial performance of an organisation of your choice.’ An article in Student Accountant referred to this as the most popular choice.
Completing the project is a challenge, as it requires you to demonstrate not only what you have learnt during the ACCA Qualification, but also to exhibit the existence of ‘key graduate skills’ of self-reflection and communication. Fortunately, my project mentor was there to support me throughout, and without his help I don’t think I would have been able to complete my RAP on time. I would like to share some tips with you on completing the RAP, and hope you will find them useful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to post a comment on this blog page. If you have tips you would like to share, you can do so by using the comment box below.
Tips on preparing the RAP
Be concise and do not exceed the word limit
The 6,500 word limit can easily be exceeded if you ramble on about a single issue. The university reserves the right to send your project back to you unmarked if you fail to meet the word limit. Note that there are individual word limits for different sections of the RAP and you should restrict yourself to these limits.
Use graphs and other graphical modes of presentation
Graphs and charts help you analyse data and make it easier for the reader to understand trends. Tables are a convenient way of organising your results. Information displayed in graphs and tables does not form part of the word limit.
Analyse
There needs to be evidence of analysis in your project. In case of topic no. 8, simply calculating ratios
Due to ACCA’s flexible entry routes, many students enrolling are non-graduates. I joined ACCA straight from A levels and never went to university. The partnership between ACCA and Oxford Brookes University is a chance for such students to get a Bachelors degree.
I recently completed my Research and Analysis Project (RAP). I chose Topic 8, ‘The business and financial performance of an organisation of your choice.’ An article in Student Accountant referred to this as the most popular choice.
Completing the project is a challenge, as it requires you to demonstrate not only what you have learnt during the ACCA Qualification, but also to exhibit the existence of ‘key graduate skills’ of self-reflection and communication. Fortunately, my project mentor was there to support me throughout, and without his help I don’t think I would have been able to complete my RAP on time. I would like to share some tips with you on completing the RAP, and hope you will find them useful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to post a comment on this blog page. If you have tips you would like to share, you can do so by using the comment box below.
Tips on preparing the RAP
Be concise and do not exceed the word limit
The 6,500 word limit can easily be exceeded if you ramble on about a single issue. The university reserves the right to send your project back to you unmarked if you fail to meet the word limit. Note that there are individual word limits for different sections of the RAP and you should restrict yourself to these limits.
Use graphs and other graphical modes of presentation
Graphs and charts help you analyse data and make it easier for the reader to understand trends. Tables are a convenient way of organising your results. Information displayed in graphs and tables does not form part of the word limit.
Analyse
There needs to be evidence of analysis in your project. In case of topic no. 8, simply calculating ratios