
For a majority of students enrolled at IGNOU reviewing research becomes the most confusing aspect of the work. This is especially the case in the case of an ignou MCOM project where academic rigor is expected, but the guidance seems to be a little sluggish. Students often ask if they must write summaries of books, rewrite journal articles, or simply collect quotations. In reality, there is a place between, and knowing that a distinction could alter the overall quality of the project.
A review of literature is not a document that demonstrates how much material you have read. It is written to show how well you know the literature that is relevant to your subject and how your project fits within it. IGNOU reviewers are attentive to the chapter since it demonstrates your ability to link knowledge with research directions.

Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before composing anything, it is vital to understand the reason this chapter is needed in an ignou mcom project. Literature review serves three main purposes.
In the first place, it indicates that the subject matter you've chosen was studied before in the academic world and is relevant to research. In addition, it allows you to recognize gaps or limitations in previous studies. Thirdly, it serves as an outline for your research objectives and methodology.
Most students view this section as a formality, and duplicate content from previous projects or sources on the internet. The result is usually low marks or project rejection. IGNOU insists on original writing, even when addressing existing research.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not require students to write on the scale of a PhD thesis. The same time any explanation that is not basic is as well discouraged. For an ignou master's degree project, the review of literature should reflect an understanding of postgraduate levels.
It is expected that you read research papers, books or reports, journals or even publications from the government that relate with your field. The concentrate should be on studies which are directly related to your research area.
In this case, for example, if your research focuses on the financial performance of banks If so, your literature analysis should include earlier studies related to financial ratios, bank performance, profitability analysis and risk assessment.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
One common mistake students make is selecting too many unrelated sources. Quality matters more than quantity. If you are looking to build an ignou mcom business in the range of 15 to 20 strong sources are usually enough in the event that they are carefully selected.
A good source is academic journals reliable books from well-known the authors RBI newspapers, report from government agencies, and university research papers. Websites with ambiguous authorship should be avoided.
Always look for studies that are more recent at least from the last ten years. Some older studies are acceptable only if they're foundational in the sense that they are fundamental in.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter increases readership and impression. Instead of writing short summaries that are not organized, divide sections of the review in logical sections.
You could organize the chapter around themes, a time period techniques, methodologies, or variables investigated. For instance, one chapter might focus on studies that relate to profitability, another may focus on liquidity and the third one on operational efficiency.
This format helps evaluaters understand that you're not simply copying content. You are actually studying it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style should be straightforward but academic. Beware of a long, rambling style and 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, objectives, the methodology used, and principal findings. Do not, however, list them in a formal manner. It is best to connect one study with another.
For instance, when discussing one study, you could highlight how another author's study supported or contradicted those findings. The comparative approach adds more complexity to your ignou project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
The most common error is writing the literature review in the form of an academic chapter. In explaining the basics of concepts like the definition of accounting, or the meaning of management is not a good idea in this section unless it is directly connected to prior studies.
Another mistake is to use too many quotes. Your literature review should be written by you in Your own voice. A phrasing style shows understanding, whereas copying shows dependence.
Students should also make sure to link sources to their own research issue. Every research you present should be clearly connected to your objectives for your project.
Connecting Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the key outcomes of reviewing the literature is identifying the research gap. IGNOU evaluators expect you to identify what earlier researchers didn't know or indicate where additional research is required.
When you look over a range of studies you'll see that most studies focus on large organisations however small companies were ignored. In the past, studies utilized secondary data while primary data was not as extensive.
This is a reason for your an IGNOU Project Report for MCOM project. Without it, your work will seem repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When you write a review of literature It is vital to have a correct citation. IGNOU generally recognizes APA style, however quality is more important than consistency.
All studies discussed must be included in the reference list at the conclusion of the project. The absence of references can raise doubts regarding authenticity.
Beware of footnotes when writing a literature review. In text citation works better and is cleaner when used in an ignou mcom project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often inquire about how long their literature reviews should last. There's no set timeframe but, for an ignou MCOM project, the chapter usually ranges between fifteen hundred 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 additional research while a more narrowly-focused topic requires fewer but more extensive 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 this way,
Author A has studied the performance of the banking industry and came to positive results
Write in this manner
The author A conducted an investigation on the performance of banks using financial ratios, and concluded that profitability improved because of better asset administration. This conclusion was later validated by Author B who also emphasized the role played by operational efficiency in enhancing bank returns.
This approach is based on an understanding and analysis that is a must in an mcom project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU is a firm believer in plagiarism. Many projects are cancelled or delayed due duplicated literature reviews. Even if you refer to previous research, the language should be unique to your project.
Use plagiarism checking tools as possible and rewrite content to make it sound natural. A sentence that is slightly imperfect is superior to copied perfection.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting your ignou mcom project, reread the review of literature carefully. Verify that each research is relevant, whether you can follow the logic of the review and if the chapter flows naturally towards your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter give a rationale for the reason why my research is important. If the answer is yes, your study's literature reviews are on the right path.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a literature review as part of an ignou master's thesis can be a challenge at first particularly for students who are returning to university after a gap. But once you know that it's all about connection and analysis rather that memorization, the work is a lot easier.
You should take the time to read, think and write in your unique voice. This is reflected into the final version of your work. This can make the difference between one that is average and a solid one.