For a majority of students enrolled at IGNOU review, reviewing literature can be the most confusing component of their project. This is especially the case for those who are working on an ignou project for mcom, where academic depth is expected. However, guidance usually appears to be limited. Students usually inquire if they should summarize their books, revise journal articles, or simply collect quotations. The truth lies somewhere between, and understanding that different perspectives can impact the overall quality of the project.
A review of literature is not meant to display how much material you have read. It is written to show how well you comprehend the works that are currently being done on the topic of your choice and how you work fits in. IGNOU examiners examine the chapter since it demonstrates your ability to link the research directions with your theory.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before you begin writing any article, it is crucial to consider the reasons this section is part of an ignou mcom project. Literature reviews serve three major purposes.
In the first place, it indicates that the topic you chose has been extensively studied and has academic relevance. It also helps you find gaps or weaknesses in previous studies. Thirdly, it establishes an outline of your research goals and methods.
Many students approach this chapter as a formality and duplicate content from previous projects or other sources online. This typically results in low marks or project rejection. IGNOU is seeking original and unique writing even when addressing existing research.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU doesn't expect students to write on the scale of the PhD thesis. Additionally those who write merely to explain their ideas are also discouraged. For a project involving ignou MCOM the literature review will reflect understanding that is postgraduate.
You're required to read research papers, books report, journals, and, sometimes, government publications relevant with your field. The concentration should be on the studies relevant to your area of study.
In the case of example, if your project focuses on the financial health of banks and banks, then your literature search should examine earlier research about financial ratios profitability analysis of bank operations, performance in banking and risk evaluation.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
One mistake that students often make is selecting a lot of unrelated sources. More important is quality than quantity. For a project involving ignou mcom about fifteen to twenty solid sources are typically enough if they are well chosen.
Excellent sources include academic journals well-known books written by renowned writer, RBI publications, federal reports and university research papers. Websites with ambiguous authorship should be avoided.
Always choose studies that are recent at least from the last 10 years. Other studies from the past may be considered only if the studies are fundamental in manner.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized and organized chapter enhances reading comprehension and creates a positive impression. Instead of writing brief summaries on the fly, separate all the reviews of books into sensible sections.
You may organize the chapter by themes, time period, methodology, or variables which are being studied. For example, one section could focus on studies related profits, whereas another may focus on liquidity while the other concerning operational efficiency.
This structure assists evaluators to understand that you are not just taking content and copying it, but also analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style is academic, but simple. Avoid heavy language and unnecessary use of jargon. IGNOU favors clarity over complexity.
Each study you present should include the name of its author, year of study, objective, methodology, and significant findings. Don't mention them in a formal manner. Make sure to connect one study with a different one.
For instance, after discussing one study, it is possible to be able to mention that another author's findings backed or refuted these findings. This sort of comparative approach will add an additional dimension to your ignou mcom project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
The most common error is writing the literature review as it is a textbook chapter. A brief explanation of the most fundamental concepts, like the definition of accounting or the meaning of management is not a good idea in this section unless it is directly connected with previous research.
Another error is over-quoting. Your review of literature should be written in an individual way. A phrasing style shows understanding, whereas copying shows dependence.
Students also forget to link the literature to their research field. The research you refer to should be clearly linked to the objectives of your project.
The Linkage Literature Review with Research Gap
One of important outcomes of a review of literature is identifying the research gap. IGNOU assessment committees expect you explain what the previous researchers missed or the areas where more study is required.
In the course of discussing several studies you'll notice that the majority of studies focus on large organisations smaller firms were not considered. Also, earlier studies employed secondary data but primary data were not sufficient.
This is why it's the main reason for your an IGNOU MCOM Project Guide project. Without it, your project may appear monotonous.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When you write a review of literature An accurate citation is imperative. IGNOU generally follows APA style, however the consistency is more important than perfection.
Every study discussed must appear in the list of references at the end of the study. References that are not included raise doubts about authenticity.
Avoid footnotes for literature review. A text-based citation is more efficient and is more professional in an ignou mcom project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students frequently ask what the length of an essay on literature should last. There's not a standard for length and for an ignou for an mcom project, the length usually spans from fifteen cents to two thousand words.
The length should be determined by your topic's complexity. For a broad topic, you will need more research. A targeted topic requires fewer, but deeper discussions.
Unnecessarily lengthy reviews with no analysis will not help improve marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing this way,
Author A has studied bank performance and discovered good results
Write in this manner
An author conducted a study about bank performance using financial ratios. They concluded that profitability increased due to improved asset management. This conclusion was later confirmed by Author B who also emphasized the role of operation efficiency in improving bank returns.
This approach reflects the ability to analyze and comprehend, which is considered important in an ignou MCOM project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU takes plagiarism very seriously. Many projects get refused or delayed because of plagiarism in literature reviews. Even if you cite other studies, your language has to be distinctly yours.
Make use of plagiarism checking tools whenever possible. Then, rewrite the content to make it sound natural. A sentence that is slightly flawed is much better than perfect copying.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting your ignou MCOM project, read the review of literature carefully. Be sure to check if each study is relevant, whether the flow is consistent, and whether the chapter leads naturally to your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter make clear what my study needs to be done. If yes then it's on the right track.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a review of literature for an ignou mcom project may feel challenging at first particularly for those returning to school after a break. But once you recognize that it's about analysis and connections rather than memorization, the task becomes doable.
Do your best to read, think and write with your own voice. The effort you put into it will show clearly in your final product and often can be the difference in being a weak submission and an average one. powerful one.