In the case of many students at IGNOU reviews of literature can be the most elusive portion of their work. This is particularly true when working on the ignou mcom course, where academic depth is expected. However, guidance often seems to be a little sluggish. Students often ask if they must summarize books, revise journal articles, or simply take notes of quotations. In reality, there is a place between, and knowing this distinction can alter the quality of the entire project.
Literature reviews are not intended to be a record of how much literature you've read. It is written to show that you are knowledgeable about the current work in relation to your area of study and how your proposal fits within it. IGNOU evaluaters pay close attention to this chapter, as it illustrates your ability to link theoretical concepts to research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before you write anything, it is essential to know why this chapter is needed in an ignou MCOM project. The review of literature serves three essential functions.
It first shows that the area you've selected has been researched before and has academic relevance. The second is that it assists you to identify gaps or limitations in previous studies. It also provides the foundation for your research objectives and methodological.
Most students view this section as a formality, and duplicate content from previous projects or even from online sources. This is a common practice that results in very low marks or projects being rejected. IGNOU is looking for original writing even when discussing existing studies.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not expect students to write at the level of a PhD thesis. At the same time, very basic explanations are being discouraged. For an ignou MCOM project, the review of literature should reflect an understanding of postgraduate levels.
You're required to read research papers, books or reports, journals and occasionally, government publications that relate to your field of study. The concentrate should be on studies related to the area of your study.
For instance, if the research focuses on the financial performance of banks and banks, then your literature search should include earlier studies concerning financial ratios performances of banks, profitability studies, and risk evaluation.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
The most common mistake students make is picking too many unrelated sources. Quality matters more than quantity. When it comes to an ignou mcom project between 15 and 20 solid sources are typically enough for a good selection.
These are good sources for academic journals well-known books written by renowned creators, RBI publishing, state reports and university research papers. Websites that lack clarity on the author should be avoided.
Always pick studies from recent years particularly those that have been published in the last ten years. Other studies from the past may be considered but only if it is foundational in the sense that they are fundamental in.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter enhances comprehension and makes a good impression. Instead of writing random summaries, break up all the reviews of books into sensible sections.
The chapter could be structured by themes, time period methodologies, or the variables to be studied. For instance, one chapter may focus on research studies related to profit, while another could concentrate on liquidity and the third is focused on operating efficiency.
This structure makes it easier for evaluators to see that you are not just copying content, but actually analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The style of writing should be simple and academic. Avoid a heavy use of language or unnecessary vocabulary. IGNOU is a firm believer in simplicity over clarity.
Each study you discuss should be accompanied by the name of the author, year of study, goals, methodology, as well as major findings. Don't mention them chronologically. Try to connect one research to another.
For instance, after discussing the findings of one study, you could highlight how another author's study supported the results or countered them. This approach of comparing studies adds an additional dimension to your ignou mcom project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
One frequent error is writing the literature review in the form of it is a textbook chapter. In explaining the basics of concepts like understanding of accounting's definition or of management is not a good idea in this section unless it is directly connected to previous research.
Another issue is the overuse of quoting. Your review of literature should be written in individual words. This shows your understanding. the copying of your review shows dependency.
Students may also not link studies to their own research study. Each study you reference should be in line with your objectives for your project.
Interlinking Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the key results of the examination of literature is identifying the research gap. IGNOU assessment committees expect you identify what earlier researchers didn't know or the areas where more study is needed.
After having discussed a myriad of studies you may observe that most research was focused on large companies and small businesses were overlooked. It is also possible that previous studies used secondary data, whereas primary data was not as extensive.
This gap can be the motivation for your project in the ignou mcom. Without it, your plan could seem repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When writing the review of literature an appropriate citation is required. IGNOU generally supports APA style, however being consistent is more important than achieving perfection.
All studies discussed must be included in the list of references at the end of the project. Any missing references cast doubt on the authenticity.
Don't use footnotes to review literature. The in-text citation is better and looks more professional in an ignou MCOM project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students frequently ask what the length of their literature reviews should run. There is no fixed rule but for an MCOM IGNOU Project Work project this chapter generally ranges from fifteen hundred and two thousand words.
The length of the discussion should be based on what the topic's difficulty. A topic that is more extensive requires the most research, whereas a focused topic needs fewer but deeper discussions.
Inadequately long reviews and no any analysis doesn't increase marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing like this
Author A has studied the performance of banks and came up with positive results
Write this way
Write as this: Author A conducted a research study on banking performance using financial ratios, and concluded that profitability improved due to better asset management. This conclusion was later affirmed by Author B He emphasized the role played by operational efficiency in enhancing return on investment for banks.
This method is based on understanding and analysis, which is highly valued in an mcom project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU is a firm believer in plagiarism. Many projects get deferred or even rejected due to copies of literature reviews. If you do refer to earlier studies, the language should be unique to your project.
Check for plagiarism using tools if possible and rewrite content until it sounds natural. A sentence that is slightly flawed is better than copied perfection.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting your ignou mcom research, read through the literature review carefully. Review each article to determine if it is relevant, if the flow of the study is coherent and whether the chapters naturally connect to your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter explain what my study needs to be done. If the answer is yes then that literature study is in the right track.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a literature review for an ignou MCOM project could be daunting at first especially for students returning to school after a long hiatus. But once you know that it's all about connection and analysis rather than memorizing information, the task is manageable.
Spend time reading, think and write in your unique voice. This is reflected in the final draft and often marks the difference between an average essay and a high-quality one.