For a lot of students studying at IGNOU MCOM project submission guide; L.V.Eli.NE.S.Swxzu@Hu.Feng.Ku.Angn..Ub.xn--.Xn--.Xn--.U.K37, The review of research becomes the most confusing part of the project work. This is particularly true when working on an ignou mcom project, where academic rigor is expected. However, the direction often isn't clear. Students often ask if they need to summarize books, refret journal articles or simply collect quotes. The reality lies somewhere in between, and knowing that differences can affect the overall quality of the project.
Literature reviews are not written to reveal the quantity of information you've read. It's written to demonstrate how well you comprehend works that are currently being done on your field and how your work fits in. IGNOU evaluations look at this chapter as it shows your ability to connect concepts with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before you write anything, it is essential to know why this chapter is necessary in an ignou mcom project. Literature review serves three main functions.
In the first place, it indicates that the subject you chose is one that has been studied in the past in the academic world and is relevant to research. In addition, it allows you to find gaps or weaknesses in earlier research. The third is that it creates an understanding of research objectives and your methodology.
A lot of students view this chapter as a formality and duplicate content from previous projects or other sources online. This often results in low marks or project rejection. IGNOU does not require original writing when discussing existing studies.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not expect students to write at the level of an PhD thesis. However those who write merely to explain their ideas are not permitted. For an ignou MCOM project the literature review should reflect postgraduate knowledge.
You're required to read research papers, books journals, reports and even government publications pertaining with your field. The primary focus should be on research relevant to your area of study.
For example, if you study is about the financial performance of banks the literature review should include earlier studies dealing with financial ratios efficiency of banks, profitability analyses, and risk evaluation.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
One of the most common mistakes students make is choosing too many different sources. It is the quality that matters more than the quantity. For an ignou project it is recommended that you use between 15 and 20 solid sources are typically enough provided they are selected with care.
Good sources include academic journals reliable books from well-known creators, RBI publication, reports from the government, as well as university research papers. Websites with no authorship confirmation should be avoided.
Always opt for recent studies that are from the last 10 years. Some older studies are acceptable only if they are fundamental in the sense that they are fundamental in.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter can improve readability and impression. Instead of writing short summaries that are not organized, divide the literature review into logical sections.
You can organize the chapter in accordance with themes, time period methodologies, or the variables studied. For instance, one section could focus on studies related the profitability of a business, while another section may concentrate on liquidity, and another about operational effectiveness.
This format helps evaluaters understand that you're not copying content, you are actually analysing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The style of writing is academic, but simple. Avoid a lot of language and terminology. IGNOU places emphasis on clarity over complexity.
Each study you analyze should be accompanied by the name of the author, year of study, goal, methodology, and the major findings. However, you shouldn't list the findings in a way that is purely mechanical. Try connecting one study with another.
When you've discussed the findings of one study, you could describe how another researcher supported the results or countered them. This way of looking at comparisons adds complexity to your ignou project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
One frequent error is writing the literature review as the kind of chapter in a textbook. The need to explain the fundamental concepts like what accounting is and the meaning of management do not belong in this section unless it is directly connected to previous studies.
Another error is over-quoting. Your review of literature should be written by you in one's own terms. In the end, paraphrasing is an indication of understanding, while using copying can show dependency.
They are also often unable to link studies to their own research study. Every research you present should have a clear connection to the goals of your project.
Affiliation Literature Review with Research Gap
The most important outcomes of a review of literature is to identify the gap in research. IGNOU evaluaters want you to reveal what previous researchers did not know or the areas where more study is needed.
When you look over a range of studies you will notice that the majority of research focused on large organizations and small businesses were absent. Or that earlier studies used secondary data, but primary data was limited.
This is why it's the main reason for your IGNOU mcom project. Without it, your work will appear repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When you write a review of literature an appropriate citation is required. IGNOU generally supports APA style, but consistency is more important than perfect.
All studies discussed must be included in the list of references at the end of the project. Lack of references could raise doubts over authenticity.
Beware of footnotes when writing a literature review. In-text citations are more efficient and appears cleaner in an ignou MCOM project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often ask how long the reviews of books should be. There's no rule of thumb in the case of an ignou MCOM project, the chapter typically spans from fifteen hundred at to two thousand.
The length should be determined by how complex the topic is. A broad topic will require more studies, while a targeted topic requires fewer, but deeper discussions.
Writing lengthy reviews that are not needed without analysis does not improve marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing as this
Author A did a thorough study of banking performance and found good results
Write this in the same way as
Autor A conducted a research study on bank performance using financial ratios, and concluded that profitability increased due to better asset management. This conclusion was later affirmed by Author B, who emphasized the role played by operation efficiency in improving return on investment for banks.
This strategy demonstrates an understanding and analysis that can be valued in an mcom project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU is a firm believer in plagiarism. Many projects get blocked or rejected because of duplicated literature reviews. Even if your reference is to prior studies, the language you use must reflect the original.
Utilize plagiarism checking software if possible. If you are able, modify your content to make it sound natural. A sentence that is slightly imperfect is far better than perfect copied.
Final Review Before Submission
Prior to submitting your ignou mcom research, read through the literature review carefully. Make sure that each study is relevant, whether the flow of information is clear and if the chapter flows naturally towards your research objectives.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter give a rationale for the reasons why my study is required. If the answer is yes, then your research paper is right on track.
Closing Thoughts
Reviewing literature for an ignou MCOM project may initially be challenging especially for those who return to university after a gap. But once you understand that it is more about connecting and analysis than recitation, the challenge is manageable.
Take time to read, consider, and write in your unique voice. This effort will be evident in the final project and often can be the difference in being a weak submission and an average one. high-quality one.