Word count - Report and SLS (Self-reflection)

As I stated above they failed me in references along with E&A giving the reason that I haven't given any references in my ratio analysis due to which marker said the sources used in my analysis cannot be verified. Marker assumes that this happened because I used "Narrow Range of Sources". In overall feedback marker said that the reason for my failure is referencing along with using few sources of information ( because I forgot to give any single reference in my entire ratio analysis, maker thinks my rch is weak) This time I have given references and Citation properly along with many new reasons for change in performance. Last time my words were 6000, this time 6500. According to me the only reason for my failure was reference, E&A section was failed because marker was unable to know which sources I used. This time marker cannot fail me on reference or Range of Sources that is something about which I am sure. Hower, on the basis of 500 words short, marker can say that my analysis is weak or not enough :(

These are the markers comments in my E&A There are virtually no references in your analysis, particularly the ratio analysis (not even the annual reports) so what analysis you have provided cannot be identified to a source, and thus we cannot confirm your findings and conclusions. This also suggests that you have not researched a wider range of sources,

And this is what marker said in Reference section Reasons for fail and advice for improvement: As mentioned above, your referencing is very weak in large parts of the report and this must be strengthened.

That is I think the reason for my failure was not giving Refences only. :(

However this time I used as much sources as possible.

Hard to say then - I thought you had failed E &A first time but passed it next time round. If you have not passed E & A they will assess that section and form an opinion on the quality of your research and analysis as well as referencing - that's how it works. But as @Anna says - fingers crossed!

@ Anna - it doesn't actually say you will fail if your RAP is <7,000! The reason is because the quality of the E&A could still be sufficient to meet the all important Assessment Criteria. However there tends to be a correlation between word count and inadequate evaluation - but that is not always the case - hence the word 'unlikely' but not 'WILL NOT PASS' Regards Trephena

Ok guys so now there are more chances of failure. You both know better than me but what I know is that marker will see whether I rectify my report according to the feedback given to me or not? I have done whatever marker said previously. I havent changed the organization and topic. If we change topic then our report is marked from scratch but if the topic is same then marker only checks his previous feedback and what student has done to make it right. Word count would be a problem if I would have changed the topic/ organization. I counted my words again, they were 6750( including data used in graphs/ charts). I hope marker understands that in resubmission we only have to do things told to us. :)

I know world count is not itself a reason of failure but with less words markers thinks that analysis is weak. In my case marker said in my E&A that I used narrow range of sources which I have corrected this time. I hpe marker pass me :(

Please tell me one more thing, how to avoid stress of upcoming result :D

rap 7500 words limit includes appendices ???

@sultanmahmood888 My understanding is that the markers consult both the previous feedback sheet and your resubmission statement (and probably also refer to your previous submission). So they should be aware of the areas they need to look at. In their opinion if everything is satisfactory in those areas that were failed last time they will pass it (which is why in principle the word count is a red herring). It is not so much a marker being 'kind' but more being fair and consistent (the degree is something to be earned not given just as a favour!). However if you read my FAQs you will see that every fail is reviewed and therefore anyone who is failed will be failed not just at the whim of one marker but on the decision made by both an OBU marker and an OBU moderator in accordance with the assessment criteria.

Go out have fun over the coming days and tell yourself in the worst case scenario it is not the end of the world. You could also treat yourself to something. I was convinced once that I had failed a critical exam so I bought myself a lovely dress and said it was 'my never mind I've failed my exam dress' that I would wear on the day the results came out to make myself feel good in spite of the disappointment. In the event I managed to pass so I got myself a nice dress and had a nice surprise on results day :-D

Please see the FAQs on our home page about word count - Appendices by definition do not form part of a report. For submission appendices must be loaded as a separate file(s) and provided the file size is within the upload limit you can put in whatever material is ancillary to your report. To summarise the main point of discussion on being failed on word count: This will only arise if you EXCEED the word count as OBU reserve the right to fail on these grounds. Normally this would be a fail on Communication but could also extend to Presentation of the project findings (you have not been concise or succinct enough) or possibly also Evaluation,Analysis & CONCLUSIONS. The reason for this is that if the word count is exceeded markers stop marking so your Conclusion section may not be marked. In effect you have not produced any Conclusions ( and you have to reach one) within the recognised word limit. You CANNOT be failed directly for a low word count. However to do an appropriate evaluation & analysis this would normally take your report up to between 7,000 - 7,500. If your word count is less than this but your E&A meet the Assessment Criteria you would still pass but the chances are it will be inadequate. In this case you would fail on E&A and possibly also Information Gathering as those areas are likely to be insufficient in the depth required for a pass

:D Thanks

Where can I find your FAQ's?

You should be able to find them among our articles and other useful information via the link: https://opentuition.com/obu/

But in resubmission when marker failed you first time in E&A giving the reason that Narrow Range of Sources were used and rectify that problem. Then marker will only check Narrow Range of sources problem or marker can Fail on another thing this time (Can marker give a new reason for failure)?

@sultanmahmood888 The Assessment criteria (Appendix 1) for failing for E & A are: "Descriptive and lacking in analysis. Inaccuracies. Little or no critical evaluation" And for Information Gathering & Referencing: "Very few and / or irrelevant information sources used. Referencing is mostly absent or unsystematic" In your case it would be a matter of whether you have made an attempt at some reasoned analysis, rather than just making obvious statements and comments from the annual report. If you have shown in places that you thought about the causes of the changes in the trends / linked your SWOT or PESTLE to the financial analysis then you will have met at least the very minimum criteria for a pass (Some analysis but a tendency towards description rather than analysis and evaluation). 'Narrow range of sources' means over reliance on company information and that in turn can often mean that the quality of the analysis does not go deep enough and most of the 'explanations' are too superficial (mainly describe rather than look at the real causes behind the figures) i.e. the analysis is insufficient to meet the criteria. As I have said in my article on Evaluation in our home pages, where I cite the Information Pack - you have to do something with the information you have gathered not just make obvious statements. It is not just a case of using sources but using them well to demonstrate that there is "some analysis" as per the criteria for a pass. Note: on results day OT is going to publish a post called 'Marker speak - Understanding what your marker probably meant in the feedback' as markers tend to use some set phrases in their feedback which, although they think their feedback is clear, from queries posted on our forums it is obvious that many students do not really understand. The idea is that I will try to interpret what I think the marker was getting at to help everyone who is facing a resubmission.

Hi, I am currently writing my RAP on topic 6. But my part 1 is already above the set 1000 words by ACCA. Pls any penalty for this? Thanks

@Fashtheo - this has been covered in the FAQ section which can be found on our home page https://opentuition.com/obu/

Hi, I have a few questions 1) Since list of references and appendix are not included in word count should I make them in a separate ms word document or should I keep adding them in the same document as the RR? 2) if I create a separate document for them then how do I put them in the table of contents? Please help

@sadsingh - 1. you are expected to load the Ref list as a separate Word doc. File for submission 2. You don't have to include the Ref list in the table of contents for the RAP Note: the reason OBU wants it separate is otherwise they can't see the word count instantly. It then means a marker would have to highlight the text to find it - and this would take time and probably therefore annoys the marker - something you don't want to do! :-)

Thanks for your reply trphena. What about the appendix? Do they need to be a part of the RAP or they can be uploaded separate too? If so then do we need to include them in the table if contents?

@sadsingh - the Appendices are all loaded as separate files and don't have to be included in the table of contents

@trephena 1) Thank you 2) Thank you again and 3) Thank you very much.

It is said in the info pack that words in graphs are included in the word count. I have used "column charts" made in excel, in my ratio analysis. They are not counted by MS Word. What should i do ? also are the numbers in the chart also words or just the actual words like axis names or titles should be counted ? would appreciate a reply.

@aneeq7 - don't worry about it. :-) !!! I have it on good authority that unless they suspect serious embedding this is the method OBU use. To find out what is included highlight the graph and chart and see what comes up in the MS wordvount . Obviously for a total word count first save your document and then start at the first word of the title page highlight and scroll through to the last word of the conclusion/recommendations and see what cones up. (The reason I suggest saving first is in case when you hightlight you accidentally delete - done it myself - this way should you mess up close immediately without saving and recover the last saved version - or better still of course you should be backing up regularly!) Use the word count that comes up as your stated word count. If any embedding is suspected then they scrutinise the doc more carefully I believe.....

oh thank you! although do elaborate on what you mean by embedding in this case ?

@aneeq7 - embedding in this context is putting a lot of information in tables and / or using a lot of tables and pasting them as images to deliberately avoid the word count. The odd one would probably be ignored but if the marker thought the student was using imaged tables as a trick to get around the word count then I think they would most likely manually count the words in such tables and add them back to get the total word count. Don't worry with the graphs as the number of words each time is negligible and presumably there is no intention to deliberately deceive.....