RAP Topic Selection including specific current rules for Topics 8 & 15

@barzakh

If you can have information on each topic than select the one you are interested in. This is a misconception that topic 8 is a reason for failure. Reason for failure is quality of the report, references and structure. There is the same assessment criteria for all topics:

– Understanding
– Analysis
– Evaluation
– IT
– Communication
– Presentation
– Interpersonal Skills
– Ethics

You need to demonstrate them for each topic. So, remember if you have information on all topics, chose the one on which you and your mentor agree based on your interest. Then start making a quality RAP covering all objectives and assessment criteria in mind.

Thank You.

@barzakh

No, plagiarism chances are same in all because it depends on Control+C and Control+V in your RAP. If you write the things in your own words, understanding with different terminology then you will not have any problem of plagiarism There are websites available for plagiarism check, after your thesis you can check your RAP through these webs. Chances depends on your copy paste not topic.

Thank You.

There is a new rule for topic 8 that says that Oxford Brookes University will release three recommended industry sectors from which students doing the RAP must choose a company from. Could someone please give me a link of where I can find these industry sectors? I can’t seem to find them?

And also what is the submission fee for the May 2016 submission?

Hi!

Yes indeed, we agree with Trephena that topic 15 is a challenging topic for airlines! A good number do not give extensive information on their cash management and working capital strategies too.

We are guessing most students will stick to Topic 8. On that note, The Learning Luminarium has issued a booklet on the 3 industries for Topic 8. This shows (a) the ICB definitions of the industries, (b) what are the areas to look out for when analysing the industry and (c) what to look out for when selecting an industry benchmark.
You can find it linked it

https://learningluminarium.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Topic-8-Three-New-Industries.pdf

We are confident that students will find it helpful!

Your friends,
The Learning Luminarium

@vinessen – please see the Topic 15 forum for advice in this (put Topic 15 in the search facility and it should come up) and post any T15 queries there.

You really need to appreciate that T15 is not an easy topic and given the limited industry sector choice that OBU has prescribed for P32 none of these really lends itself well to T15 unless you happen to work in one of those sectors.

Students often forget that T15 is in 2 parts and Funding strategies are just as important as the working capital element. The pass rate is not brilliant however I understand that the P29 prize winner for the best RAP submitted worldwide was actually done on T15. It might be worth contacting OBU to see if they have any exemplars on T 15 and in particular asking if the P29 prize winner’s RAP is available as a guide to students about what should be covered.

Good morning

please i will be submitting a RAP on T8 in P32- Specifically looking at the telecom industry.
which factors should i consider before choosing an appropriate company

@vineshr7 – you must choose a company within the prescribed industrial sectors. I suggest you read the post above by the Learning Luminarium and use the link to read their article as that may help you with your selection. I cannot recommend particular companies as it depends on what interests you and what data and information sources may be available to you.

Obviously not – how can an automobile company fall within being an airline, pharmaceutical / biotechnology company or mobile telecommunications????

Read the Learning Luminarium post above which explains the basics!

Hi, @Emmanuel,

Main factors you need to consider for selecting a company for topic is:

Availability of information:

– You should ensure that enough secondary information is available on your company. This relate to published annual report, information related to atleast 1 competitor (mainly its annual report), enough media presence of your company to corroborate annual report for eliminating biased analysis and finding interesting points for your business analysis part through internet research. However, if you want, you can go for primary information source by visiting company and through their employee interviews which is not required by OBU.

Competitor:

– You must ensure you perform like with like comparison of your company. For example, you can compare McDonals and Burger King (as both are multinationals, operating globally) but you cannot compare a local burger chain with multinational McDonals (this also indicates that you can compare published accounts of McDonals for particular country’s operations with local burger chain). Also ensure that you cannot compare an elephant with baby elephant i.e. a market leader with a small new company. Ensure year ends of competitors are similar,if not then align their financial statements by adding or subtracting common and uncommon quarterly accounts and if still not possible then mention it under limitations of information and how did you overcome this.

Interest:

You should ensure that you like the company and feel great in analysing it. In addition, if it is your relative’s company or a company where you work, avoid being biased in your analysis.

I also recommend to go through potential company’s financial statements for 3 or 4 years before selecting it, just to ensure that you are comfortable with fluctuation or trend in its performance. May be, if it is loss making, are you reading to analyse net loss margin? Or, application of Altman’s Z Score model if it is loss making from many years?

Regards,
Hammad Ahmed Qureshi – OBU BSc Hons. RAP Mentor.

Hi members, I need to get clarification on topic 8 and 15. The industries chosen for period 32 May 2016 and 33 (Nov 2016) include; Airlines, Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology and Mobile telecommunications.

However, none of these are are listed in countrys stock exchange apart from only kenyan airways.
Please advise on the way forward

Dear Jezyezy,

thank you for your important question. ofcourse many students are taking this issue very serious. but you guys do not need to worry. you can select companies from any country. If I give you my professional advise, select companies from UK, USA, or Georgia or Pakistan. You will find lot of public information free of cost, Basic thing you need secondary information from different sources such as annual reports, official websites, press releases, Govt Authorities, State Bank, Tax Authority, Chamber of Commerce/Regulators. they publish information on sector wise, such as textile sector, Airlines sector, Pharmaceuticals and telecommunications sector. you just be smart to link with your company performance.

If you need any further assistance, please feel free to ask. I luv to answer.

Regards,
ALI FAROOQ – OBU Registered Mentor

Mr. Vinessen,

I just come to know that this is your second attempt. I pray You may success in your second attempt. I suggest you to follow examiner’s feedback and overcome issues in your RAP and SLS.

You have two options.

1) I agree with your understanding, you can use the previous three year’s result (annual reports from 2012 to 2014) if Company publishes its report within three months of beginning of submission date. Note: you should explain the reason and implications of
such limitations in part 2.

2) You may use updated data if you can manage your time and put proper efforts but OBU advised that you do not have to be used.

Hope the answer of the question.

Regards,
Ali Farooq, OBU Registered Mentor