For a majority of students enrolled at IGNOU and IGNOU, the study of literature can be the most confusing element of the project. This is particularly true for students working on an ignou MCOM project in which academic depth is expected, but the guidance seems to be a little sluggish. Students frequently ask if they have to write a summary of books, modify journal articles, or simply gather quotations. The reality lies somewhere in between, and knowing how different approaches can impact the overall quality of the project.
A literature review is not written to reveal the quantity of information you've read. It is written to show how much you comprehend literature that is relevant to your topic and how your work fits in. IGNOU evaluations look at this chapter since it showcases your ability to link the theory and research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before composing anything, it is crucial to understand why this chapter exists in an ignou mcom project. Literature reviews serve three main purposes.
In the first place, it indicates that the topic you selected has been studied earlier and has academic significance. In addition, it allows you to identify any gaps or limitations from earlier research. In addition, it can provide an understanding of research objectives and your methodology.
Many students see this chapter as a formality and copy content from previous projects or from online sources. The result is usually poor marks or even project rejection. IGNOU is looking for original writing even when presenting existing work.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not require students to write on the scale of an PhD thesis. In the same way, very basic explanations are also not recommended. For an ignou MCOM project, the review of literature should reflect postgraduate level understanding.
You're required to read books, research papers or reports, journals and sometimes, government publications related to your topic. The attention should be focused on studies which are directly related to the area of your study.
In the case of example, if your study is about the financial performance of banks Then your literature review should focus on prior research concerning financial ratios bank performance, profitability analysis, and risk evaluation.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
A common error students make is to select too many irrelevant sources. Quality is more important than quantity. In the case of an ignou MCOM project between 15 and 20 quality sources are usually sufficient as long as they're carefully chosen.
These are good sources for academic journals as well as reputable books by renowned authors, RBI publications, government reports, and even university research papers. Websites that don't have a clear authorship must be avoided.
Always choose studies that are recent and ideally, from the last 10 years. Studies from the past can be considered only if they're foundational in their nature.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter can improve perception and readability. Instead of writing random summaries, break up all the reviews of books into logical sections.
You could organize the chapter in accordance with themes, time period techniques, methodologies, or variables to be studied. For example, one section may discuss studies related to profits, whereas another may focus on liquidity, and yet another regarding operational efficiency.
This structure helps evaluators understand that you're more than just taking content and copying it, but also analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The style of writing should be scholarly but straightforward. Avoid dense language and excessive use of jargon. IGNOU values clarity over complexity.
Each study that you talk about must be listed with the author's name, year of study, purpose, method, and the main findings. Don't mention the findings in a way that is purely mechanical. Try connecting one study with another.
In the case of discussing some study, you can discuss how a different author's findings supported or contradicted those findings. This comparative approach adds depth to your ignou MCOM project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
A common mistake is to write the literature review in the form of it is a textbook chapter. In explaining the basics of concepts like how accounting works or the meaning of management doesn't belong in this section unless it is directly connected to studies that have been done previously.
Another mistake is excessive quoting. Your literature review should be written in you own language. It is a sign of understanding that you are paraphrasing, while copying demonstrates dependency.
Students often fail to connect publications to their personal research topic. Every study you reference must have a clear connection with your project objectives.
The Linkage Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the major result of the study of literature is to identify the gap in research. IGNOU evaluaters want you to be able to demonstrate what prior researchers missed or the areas in which further research is needed.
After examining a variety of studies, you may observe that most research was focused on large companies in contrast to small businesses being left out. Also, earlier studies employed secondary data, however primary data was not enough.
This gap can be the motivation for your IGNOU mcom project. Without it, the project might appear monotonous.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When writing a review of literature The proper citation of the source is essential. IGNOU generally recognizes APA style, however consistency matters more than perfection.
Each research study should be included in the reference list at the conclusion of the project. A lack of references may raise doubts as to the study's authenticity.
Do not use footnotes for literature reviews. A text-based citation is more efficient as it appears cleaner in an ignou mcom project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often ask how long the review of literature must run. There is no set amount but, for an ignou MCOM project this chapter generally runs between fifteen hundred and two thousand words.
The length should be determined by the level of complexity of the topic. A broader topic requires more research. A specific topic requires fewer but deeper discussions.
Inadequately long reviews and no analysis is not going to improve your marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing as this
Author A researched the bank's performance and got good results
Write as this
An author conducted research on the performance of banks by using financial ratios. He concluded that profitability increased because of improved asset management. This finding was later supported by Author B who pointed out the importance of operational efficiency in increasing bank profits.
This method is based on the ability to analyze and comprehend, which is valued in an ignou MCOM project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU is a firm believer in plagiarism. Many projects get blocked or rejected because of the use of copied literature reviews. If you do refer to other studies, your language needs to reflect your unique style.
Make use of plagiarism checking tools whenever feasible and revise content to make it sound natural. A sentence that is slightly imperfect is better than perfect copied.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting your IGNOU Project Report for MCOM-mcom assignment, you should read the review carefully. Verify that each research is relevant, whether the flow is logical and if your chapter will naturally lead to your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter clarify why my study is needed. If the answer is yes, your research paper is right on track.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a review of literature for an ignou MCOM project could be daunting at first particularly for students returning to academics after a gap. If you can realize that it's about analysis and connections rather than memorization, it is a lot easier.
Take time to read, consider, and write in your unique voice. The effort you put into it will show clearly in your final work and often makes the difference between an average submission and a well-crafted one.