This document is created to offer assistance to ACCA students/affiliates who are undertaking the ACCA/OBU BSc Research and Analysis Project (RAP). The RAP is very different to an ACCA written exam. Every project is a separate piece of work. Each student has to identify their own individual project topic, set research objectives, and develop a framework for their project work. Appropriate Models Include; Topic 6 requires the use of more than one motivation model, preferably a ‘content’ model and a ‘process’ model. Topic 8 requires appropriate financial ratios and business models such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, etc. Topics 2, 4,5, 9 require the use of general evaluation models such as cost/benefit analysis, managing change models, systems development lifecycle, etc. Topic 18 requires the use of one or more models for evaluating the marketing environment as well as, for example, the marketing mix for evaluating the marketing strategy of an organisation, and an appropriate model for evaluating its effectiveness.

1. An overview of OBU RAP
Page 1 of 4
Compiled by: Contacts:
Mbecha Benedick Etiandem Phone: + (237) 69786 0889
(ACCA Member; Registered Mentor; OR + (237) 67990 6692
BSc in Applied Accounting; Senior Auditor). Email: etiendem@gmail.com
The Research and Analysis Project (RAP)
The Research and Analysis Project (RAP) is made up of two separate documents;
 Research Report (RR) (between 7,000 words and 7,500 words) and
 Skills & Learning Statement (SLS) (between 1,800 words & 2,000 words).
The Research Report of 7,500 words is for everything from the start of the title page, to
the end of the conclusions. The 7,500 word count for the Research Report does not
include appendices or lists of references (OBU, 2014, p. 10).
1.1 Research Report (RR) - 7,500 words
The RR consists of the following five main sections:
 TITLE PAGE,
 CONTENTS PAGE,
 PART 1 - Project objectives and overall research approach (≤ 1,000 words),
 PART 2 - Information gathering & accounting / business techniques (≤ 2,000 words) and
 PART 3 - Results, analysis, conclusions & recommendations (≤ 4,500 words).
1.1.1 TITLE PAGE
The title page should content the following four key points:
 Project Title (e.g. ‘An evaluation of the business and financial performance of
OBU Co between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2014’),
 Your name,
 Your ACCA registration number and
 Declared word count (which should fall between 7,000 words and 7,500 words).
1.1.2 CONTENTS PAGE
This should include only the table of contents.

2. An overview of OBU RAP
Page 2 of 4
1.1.3 PART 1 - Project objectives and overall research approach (≤ 1,000 words)
This first part should 'sets the scene'. It should include the following three points:
 The reasons for choosing your project topic area and the particular organization
that was the focus of your research work,
 What you wanted to find out in your research work. i.e. your project objectives
and research questions, and
 An explanation of your overall research approach.
1.1.4 PART 2 - Information gathering & accounting / business techniques
(≤ 2,000 words)
This second part should provide more detail about the following five points:
 The sources of information from which you have obtained relevant data,
 A description of the methods used to collect information, including online access,
 A discussion of the limitations of your information gathering,
 Identification of any ethical issues that arose during your information gathering
and how they were resolved, and
 An explanation of the accounting and / or business techniques you have used,
including a discussion of their limitations.
1.1.5 PART 3 - Results, analysis, conclusions & recommendations (≤ 4,500
words)
This third part should provide a detailed account of the following five points:
 A description of the results you have obtained and any limitations,
 Presentation of your results in an appropriate form e.g. tables, graphs, pie charts,
 A critical analysis / evaluation of your results which includes an explanation of
your significant findings,
 Your conclusions about your research findings and how well you have met your
project objectives and research questions, and
 If appropriate, recommendations on specific courses of action to identified
individuals within your chosen organization.
1.2 Skills & Learning Statement (SLS) (between 1,800 words & 2,000 words).
The SLS is made up of the following two separate documents:
 A reflective statement (between 1,800 words & 2,000 words) and
 PowerPoint presentation (presented in fifteen minutes to the mentor)

3. An overview of OBU RAP
Page 3 of 4
1.2.1 A Reflective Statement (between 1,800 words & 2,000 words)
Your reflection statement must be based on the following four questions:
i. What you have learnt from the meetings with your project mentor, including the
presentation that you gave to your project mentor?
ii. To what extent have you achieved the research objectives that you set?
iii. How have you demonstrated your interpersonal and communication skills during
the project work?
iv. How has undertaking the RAP helped you in your accountancy studies and/or
current employment role?
1.2.2 PowerPoint presentation (presented in fifteen minutes to the mentor)
The presentation should be completed WITHIN fifteen minutes and should focus on
the TOPIC of the research report. The contents of the slides should include:
 A clear opening slide with the title of the presentation and the student’s name
and ACCA number to identify the presenter,
 The next slide should lists the areas to be covered by the presentation,
 Presentation of results in graphs, chart or tables (with explanations),
 Relevant findings from the analysis carried out in part 3 of the RR, and
 Summary of conclusions and recommendations that were made.
1.3 Lists of References and Appendices
There are 2 parts to a referencing system:
 an in-text citation (in the RR) and
 an entry in the reference list.
See the section on referencing in the information pack. Pay attention to the punctuation,
and in your own work, copy it exactly as it is set out – put the full stop in where it is
placed in the example, and leave it out, if it isn’t in the example.
Your appendices will depend on your chosen topic.
Appendices for topics that make use of primary data like topic 6 would include: a copy
of the questionnaire used, a summary of questionnaire responses, a list of interview
questions, details of interviewees and a summary of interview responses.
Appendices for topics that make use of secondary data like topic 8 would include: the
relevant pages of the company’s Financial Statements used and the ratios calculated on
excel.

4. An overview of OBU RAP
Page 4 of 4
Compiled by: Contacts:
Mbecha Benedick Etiandem Phone: + (237) 69786 0889
(ACCA Member; Registered Mentor; OR + (237) 67990 6692
BSc in Applied Accounting; Senior Auditor). Email: etiendem@gmail.com
Other documents compiled by Mbecha Benedick Etiandem (Mr. MBE) are:
 How to reference primary data/information
 How to reference secondary data/information
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 2
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 6
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 7
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 8
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 9
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 11
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 13
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 15
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 16
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 18
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 19
 An overview of OBU RAP topic no. 20
Mr. MBE Mentees’ result for OBU RAP in period 29.
Your success is guarantee only if you put in practice, the advice given in the OBU
recent information pack and my feedbacks given during your RAP activities.
Follow me via;
 OBU/ACCA BSc Degree RAP Mentoring Services
https://www.facebook.com/groups/oburapmentor/
 Etiandem Mentor on RAP Topic 8
https://www.facebook.com/groups/662277180572838/
 Etiandem Mentor on RAP Topic 6
https://www.facebook.com/groups/909246565800320/
Grades A B C Total Passed
No. of students 1 3 12 16
Percentage passed 89%