For a majority of students enrolled at IGNOU reviews of books is the most confusing portion of their work. This is especially true for those who are working on IGNOU's mcom projects, in which academic depth is expected but guidance often seems to be a little sluggish. Students generally ask whether they must summarize books, amend journal articles, and simply gather quotations. In reality, there is a place between, and knowing how different approaches can impact the quality of the entire project.
A review of literature is not written to show how much you've read. It is written to show how well you know the prior work on the topic of your choice and how you proposal fits within it. IGNOU assessors scrutinize this chapter due to your ability to connect ideas with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before you begin writing any article, it is crucial to consider the reasons the chapter exists in an ignou MCOM project. The literature review serves three major purposes.
In the first place, it indicates that the subject you chose was studied before and has academic significance. It also helps you discover gaps or issues in prior research. Thirdly, it establishes the foundation for your research objectives and methodological.
A majority of students view this chapter as a formality, and duplicate content from previous assignments or other online sources. This typically results in very low marks or projects being rejected. IGNOU is seeking original and unique writing even when discussing existing studies.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU doesn't expect students to write on the scale of the PhD thesis. However it is recommended that students write in a simple way. also discouraged. For an ignou master's degree project the literature review must reflect understanding at postgraduate level.
The expectation is to look over books, research papers or reports, journals and, sometimes, government publications relevant in your research topic. The focus should be on studies that directly connect with the research area you are studying.
In this case, for example, if your research focuses on the financial performance of banks Then your literature review should examine earlier research on financial ratios, the performance of banks, profitability analysis and risk assessment.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
One of the most common mistakes students make is deciding to use too many disparate sources. It is the quality that matters more than the quantity. In the case of an ignou MCOM project it is recommended that you use between 15 and 20 powerful sources are generally enough should they be selected carefully.
An excellent source of information is academic journals highly regarded books by well-known writers, RBI documents, Government reports as well as university research papers. Websites that lack clarity on the author should be avoided.
Always look for studies that are more recent particularly those that have been published in the last ten years. The older studies may be included only if they're fundamental in nature.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter enhances comprehension and makes a good impression. Instead of composing brief summaries on the fly, separate an overview of literature into sensible sections.
The chapter could be structured by theme, time period as well as the methodology or variables studied. For instance, one section may discuss studies related to profit, while another could concentrate on liquidity, while another regarding operational efficiency.
This structure can help evaluators realize that you're not simply replicating content but are actually analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style should be academic but simple. Avoid dense language and excessive terminology. IGNOU favors clarity over complexity.
Each research study you write about should include the name of the author as well as the year of study, the purpose, method, and most important results. However, do not list them in a logical manner. It is best to connect one study with the other.
For instance, when discussing one study, it is possible to be able to mention that another author's findings backed or refuted these findings. This comparative approach adds the depth of your ignou mcom project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
The most common error is writing the literature review as the kind of chapter in a textbook. Discussing fundamental concepts like the definition of accounting or the meaning of management doesn't belong in this article unless they are directly linked with previous research.
Another error is quoting too much. Your literature review should be written in individual words. The use of paraphrasing indicates understanding, whereas using copying can show dependency.
They are also often unable to link studies to their own research area. Every study you write about should have a clear connection with your objectives for your project.
Connection of Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the major result of the study of literature is identifying the research gap. IGNOU evaluators expect you to expose what researchers of the past missed or where further study is needed.
In the course of discussing several studies you'll see that most studies focused on large corporations smaller firms were neglected. Or that earlier studies used secondary data, but the primary data was not enough.
This is a reason for your IGNOU mcom project. Without it, your work will appear to be repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When you write a review of literature it is important to use a proper citation. IGNOU generally accepts APA style, but consistency is more important than perfect.
All studies discussed must be included in the list of references at the conclusion of the project. Without references, there is a chance to doubt the authenticity.
Don't use footnotes to review literature. A text-based citation is more efficient and looks cleaner in an ignou mcom project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often inquire about how long the review of literature must last. There's no standard rule and for an ignou MCOM project, this chapter typically runs from fifteen hundred -two thousand words.
The length should be determined by the complexity of the topic. A topic that is more extensive requires more studies, while a specific topic requires fewer but more in-depth discussions.
Unnecessarily lengthy reviews with no analysis will not help improve marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing this way,
Author A analyzed bank performance and discovered good results
Write like this
Autor A carried out a study on banking performance by using financial ratios. He concluded that profitability improved through better asset management. This conclusion was later validated by Author B who also emphasized the role played by the efficiency of operations in enhancing bank returns.
This approach reflects an understanding and analysis that is what counts in an MCOM project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU is a firm believer in plagiarism. Many projects are rejected or delayed due to plagiarism in literature reviews. Even if you cite previous studies, the terminology ought to be uniquely yours.
Make use of plagiarism checking tools whenever possible. Rewrite content to make it sound natural. A sentence that is slightly flawed is much better than perfect copying.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting your ignou-mcom project, reread the literature review carefully. Be sure to check if each study is relevant, if the flow is logical and if the chapter naturally leads to your research objectives.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter help explain the reason why my research is important. If the answer is yes, then your research paper is right on path.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a literature review for an IGNOU MCOM project topics project isn't easy at first in particular for students who are returning back to their academics after a period of. But once you know that it's all about connection and analysis rather than memorization, the project is manageable.
Read, think, and write in your own voice. This dedication is clearly reflected in the final work. It often the difference is between being a weak submission and an average one. outstanding one.