For many students enrolled in IGNOU studying literature can be the most confusing portion of their work. This is especially the case for students working on IGNOU's mcom projects, where academic depth is expected, however guidance often feels a bit limited. Students usually ask whether they should write down their book chapters, make journal articles more readable, or simply collect quotations. The reality lies somewhere in between, and understanding this distinction can alter the overall quality of the project.
Literature reviews are not meant to display how much of the literature you've read. It's written to demonstrate how much you comprehend works that are currently being done on your subject and how your work fits in. IGNOU reviewers are attentive to this chapter due to your ability to link theories with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before writing anything, is essential to know why this particular chapter is required in an ignou mcom project. Literature reviews serve three primary functions.
First, it shows that the topic you selected already has been explored and has a scientific significance. Second, it aids you discover gaps or issues in previous studies. Thirdly, it establishes an outline of your research goals and the methodology.
Many students treat this chapter as a formality and duplicate content from previous projects or online sources. This often results in the project being rejected or not getting marks. IGNOU demands original writing even when examining existing studies.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU doesn't expect students to write on the scale of an PhD thesis. Additionally any explanation that is not basic is discouraged. For an ignou mcom project the literature review should reflect postgraduate knowledge.
It is expected that you read books, research papers Journals, reports, and sometimes government publications related to your field of study. The concentration should be on the studies that directly connect with your research area.
For instance, if your task is to study the financial performance of banks So, your literature reviews should be focused on previous studies in relation to financial ratios performances of banks, profitability studies and risk evaluation.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
One common mistake students make is deciding to use too many disparate sources. More important is quality than quantity. For a project in ignou approximately fifteen to twenty quality sources are usually sufficient in the event that they are carefully selected.
A good source is academic journals highly regarded books by well-known creators, RBI publishing, state reports and even university research papers. Websites that do not have clear authorship requirements should be avoided.
Always prefer recent studies, ideally from the last ten years. More recent studies can be added only if they're foundational in their nature.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter enhances perception and readability. Instead of writing random summaries, divide your literature reviews into clear sections.
It is possible to organize the chapter in accordance with themes, time period research methodology, or other variables to be studied. For example, one section might focus on studies that relate to profitability, another may focus on liquidity, and yet another focused on the efficiency of operations.
The structure can aid evaluators in understanding that you're not copying content but analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The style of writing is to be professional but easy. Avoid a lot of language and terms. IGNOU values clarity over complexity.
Each study you discuss should include the name of the author, the year of study, the objective, methodology, and significant findings. Be careful not to list them in a linear manner. Make an effort to link one study to another.
In the case of discussing one study, you could highlight how another author's study supported or disputed those findings. This type of analysis adds greater depth to your project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
A common error is to compose the literature review in the form of it is a textbook chapter. A brief explanation of the most fundamental concepts, like how accounting works or the meaning of management does not belong in this article unless they are directly linked to previous research.
Another error is quoting too much. Your literature review should be written in an individual way. This shows your understanding. copying implies dependence.
They also fail to link studies to their own research field. Every study you reference must have a clear connection to the goals of your project.
Connection of Literature Review with Research Gap
The most important outcomes of reviewing the literature is identifying the research gap. IGNOU reviewers expect you to be able to demonstrate what prior researchers missed or if further research is needed.
In the course of discussing several studies it's possible that studies focused on large corporations as small businesses were overlooked. In the past, studies utilized secondary data but primary data was scarce.
This gap becomes the justification for your IGNOU mcom project. Without it, your program could appear to be repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
While writing the review of literature A proper citation is necessary. IGNOU generally follows APA style, but consistency matters more than perfection.
Each study must be mentioned in the list of references at the end of the study. The absence of references can raise doubts regarding authenticity.
Don't use footnotes to review literature. In-text citations are more efficient and appears better in an ignou MCOM project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often inquire about how long the book review needs to be. There's no standard rule and for an ignou MCOM project, the length of this chapter usually spans from fifteen cents up to two thousand words.
The length of the discussion should be based on the level of complexity of the topic. The more expansive topic requires more research while a targeted topic requires fewer, but deeper discussions.
The need to write lengthy reviews that do not include analyses does not increase marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing like this
Author A analyzed banking's performance and obtained good results
Write like this
Write as this: Author A conducted a study on the performance of banks using financial ratios. It concluded that profitability improved because of better asset management. This conclusion was later affirmed by Author B in his study, who focused on the importance of operation efficiency in improving bank profits.
This is an approach that demonstrates understanding and analysis, which is what counts in an MCOM project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU MCOM project synopsis, http://dmonster592.dmonster.kr/, takes plagiarism seriously. Many projects are delayed or rejected due to review of literature that has been copied. Although you may refer to previous research, the language you use must reflect the original.
Utilize plagiarism checking tools when you can and then rewrite the content until it sounds natural. A sentence that is slightly imperfect can be better than perfect copied.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting an ignou mcom project, reread the review carefully. You should determine whether the research is relevant, if the flow of information is clear and whether it is linked naturally to your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter provide a reason what my study needs to be done. If yes, then it's on the right path.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a literature review for an ignou MCOM project could be daunting at first in particular for students who are returning to academics following a gap. But once you know that it is all about connection and analysis rather than memorizing, the job can be accomplished.
Be sure to read, think, and write in your unique voice. It is reflected clearly into the final version of your work. This often marks the difference between one that is average and a solid one.