RAP . A presentation for students taking the OBUBS Please note : the best advice is to read and follow carefully guidance on the RAP provided on ...

How to Pass your RAP

A presentation for students taking the OBUBS
  RAP .

Please note : the best advice is to read and
follow carefully guidance on the RAP
provided on the ACCA website. The following
slides provide further useful information.
                China: 2012

Key features of the RAP

RAP consists of 2 parts:
1. A Research Report (RR)based on a topic chosen by the
   student from an approved list of topics based on the
   curriculum covered in Papers F1-F9.
  6500 word maximum length,and a recommended structure
  and content: graded A,B,C (Pass)or F(Fail)
2. A Skills and Learning Statement(SLS) 2000 word max.
   length -pass or fail.

Both parts must be passed: they are designed to enable
  students to demonstrate the required personal
  /transferable skills.

BSc (Hons)in Applied
              Accounting
        Key features of the RAP
Transferable skills on successful completion of RAP:
• problem solving/analysis/evaluation
• effective written /oral communication
• self managed learning
• completing an independent research project
• information gathering/referencing
• using information technology
NB all the above primarily evaluated in research report

Evaluated in skills and learning statement.
• Reflecting on learning
• Effects on future professional development & employment roles

Key features of the RAP
               Assessment

A set of processes measuring the outcome of students’ learning in terms
   of knowledge acquired, understanding developed and skills gained.
• RAP assessed by a team of OBU markers/ moderators
• ALL failed /marginal papers are moderated, plus a sample of all pass
   grades(A,B,C grades)
• An external examiner reviews ALL moderated projects.
• OBU BSc.Examination Board approves RAP results and awards
   BSc.degree.

 Mentors :
• not involved in the assessment process
• provide valuable feedback to students after presentation of RR (before
  the final document including SLS is submitted to OBU).

Key features of the RAP:

 Assessment of the Research Report:
 4 Technical & Professional Skills:
• Understanding of accountancy /business models
• Application of accountancy /business models
• Evaluation of information ,analysis/ conclusions
• Presentation of project findings

3 Graduate Skills
• communication
• information gathering and referencing
• use of information technology

Research Report : Graded A,B,C (PASS) or F (FAIL)

Key features of the RAP

Assessment of the Skills and Learning Statement:
1. Self reflection : answers to 4 specific questions
2. Communication Skills - including presentation to mentor.
SLS is pass / fail;
Overall assessment
•   Grade attained for RR is awarded
•   If student passes RR but fails SLS, then on successful resubmission
    of SLS only, original grade for RR is awarded.
•   Student failing RR but passing SLS must resubmit RR only (either the
    original topic or new topic).
•   Student failing both resubmits both
•   3 attempts only are permitted.
•   Successful RESITS OF RR are capped at C grade.

Skills and Learning Statement

Self Reflection: the 4 questions:

1. What did you learn from meetings with your mentor, including
   presentation you gave?
2. How well do you think you have answered your research questions?
3. How have you demonstrated your interpersonal & communication
   skills during project work?
4. How has undertaking RAP helped you in your accountancy studies
   and / or current job?

Subject to 2000 word maximum: 350-650 words per question

BSc(Hons)in Applied
               Accounting
         Key features of the RAP

RAP : a “ guided enquiry”
• Student chooses topic from “approved list”
• Student benefits from guidance on ACCA website, articles
  in Student Accountant, published texts on the RAP, plus
  meetings with their mentor;
• Student actively reflects on the experience of undertaking
  the RAP and knowledge /skills/ behaviours developed as a
  result- “learning from experience”;
• Mentor encourages /supports student initiative and
  reinforces student’s responsibility for learning.

Key features of RAP

Research :
to investigate, to inquire ,to explore, to find out, to
  review, to look into :
The topic area is defined by the approved RAP
  topic list;
The student chooses topic and organisation,
  defines specific objectives related to the
  organisation chosen, and judges what type of
  information is required and how it will be
  obtained to meet research report objectives
  and the assessment criteria.

Key Features of the RAP

Research Report is a form of Applied Business Research :
This implies a systematic investigation/ enquiry into a
  problem or issue:a systematic approach to data collection;
  interpretation, analysis and evaluation of information
  gathered to provide either increased understanding of, or
  answers to the original problem /issue studied.
Where possible,it should lead to recommendations of
  practical benefit /value to manager/s of the organisation
  studied.

Key features of RAP:
   1.Information Gathering

Nature and type of information required will be
  determined by choice of project topic and
  research report objectives set.
Primary data : original data collected by
  researcher to answer a specific question. If
  primary data is required from staff within your
  chosen organisation ,then permission from a
  senior member of staff in that organisation
  MUST be obtained before you commence-as
  early as possible!!

2.Information gathering

If you need to collect primary data, the design of your
    research instruments (e.g. questionnaires, interviews) must
    be supported by relevant academic literature based on
    methods of research and the topic area. You also need to
    comment on:
• data collection methods –e.g. focus groups, interviews,
    questionnaires
• sample size & outline of sampling strategy
• response rates and any problems arising eg non-
    responses and their implications
• you MUST discuss ethical issues in data collection and
    how you resolved them

3. Information Gathering

Secondary data :data which is available and has
  been collected by others, which may be
  relevant to you in answering your research
  questions; e.g. books, journal articles, press
  articles , company annual reports.
 You MUST use relevant academic sources
• both to understand issues in the organisation
  studied, AND
• to support analysis /evaluation of information
  and ensure that research report objectives
  have been met.

4. Information gathering :
    Referencing

You MUST reference information sources in your Research
  Report : this is an important graduate skill
• acknowledges the work of others
• allows the reader to check your sources and evaluate your
  use of them
• avoids plagiarism (representing others’ work as your own)
• demonstrates the breadth /depth of your
  reading/understanding in the topic area.
Use the Harvard Referencing System -see Information Pack
  for guidance.

5.Information gathering:
  analysis and evaluation

Information gathered from the various
  sources used must be thoroughly analysed
  and evaluated, using relevant accounting
  /business concepts, theories, models etc in
  order to enable you to judge how well the
  objectives of your research report have
  been met.

Qualities of Excellent
    Research Reports

Specific and achievable report objectives
Logical structure underpinned / guided by a clearly explained
  appropriate overall research approach
Systematic approach to information gathering, relevant to the
  topic ,issues in the organisation studied and report
  objectives.
Analytical / evaluative approach, applying relevant
  concepts/theories /models etc from accounting /business
  literature both in the design of the overall research
  approach AND in an overall evaluation which meets the
  stated report objectives.
Accurate and complete referencing of all information sources-
  both in the text and a list of references.

Research Report:
   Overall Research Approach

 The structure /framework guiding your research
  report:
• the overall research approach links what you
  are attempting to find out
• the methods you are using to gather the
  required information
• the analysis and evaluation carried out to
  answer your research questions
• conclusions / recommendations which ensure
  that your research report objectives have been
  met.

Overall Research Approach-
    links to:

Original problem /issue - topic /organisation chosen
Specific research questions /report objectives
Relevant literature from accounting/ business concepts
  /theories /models
Methods of information gathering used /limitations /ethical
  issues
Analysis /evaluation based on accounting /business
  concepts/theories /models to answer research questions
  /meet report objectives
Conclusions /relevant recommendations

Planning the Research
    Report

Take full account of RR constraints: 6500 words, single
  organisation focus, approved topic list, assessment criteria
Follow recommended structure and content for RR
Set realistic ,achievable research questions /report objectives
Read ,understand and apply relevant academic literature-
  both in designing overall research approach, and in
  analysing /evaluating information gathered to meet report
  objectives
Reference your work fully and accurately.

RAP: role of the mentor
         Why do students fail RAP?

Poor planning & preparation: poor knowledge/ understanding of guidance-
  see ACCA website!!
    – http://www.accaglobal.com/content/dam/acca/global/pdf/bscpack2011_12.pdf
    – http://www.accaglobal.com/en/student/qualification-resources/bsc/rap-
      dates/resubmission.html
Problems with primary research/choice of topic : difficult to get access to
   information required;
Poor /inadequate information sources poor / inadequate referencing;
Research Report is descriptive rather than analytical;
Skills and Learning statements do not address the 4 specific questions /
   describe events rather than reflect / evaluate on what they did /their
   own strengths and weaknesses/what they have learned from doing
   their RAP.

How might this knowledge of the main causes of failure help you to pass?