For many students enrolled in IGNOU, the review of literature becomes the most confusing aspect of the work. This is particularly true in the case of the ignou master's degree project in which academic depth is expected, however guidance often feels a bit limited. Students usually inquire if they need to summarize books, amend journal articles, and simply collect quotations. The reality is somewhere between, and knowing this distinction can alter the overall quality of the project.
A review of literature is not intended to demonstrate the amount of material you've read. It's written to demonstrate how well you comprehend the literature that is relevant to the topic you're studying and how your research fits into it. IGNOU examiners are particularly interested in this chapter since it showcases your ability to link theory with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before writing anything, is crucial to consider the reasons this chapter is necessary in an ignou MCOM project. Literature reviews serve three principal purposes.
First, it demonstrates that the subject matter you've chosen has been studied earlier and has a scholarly significance. It also helps you discern gaps or deficiencies in previous studies. It also provides a base for your research objectives and your methodology.
Many students treat this chapter as a formality and copy content from their previous projects or sources on the internet. This can result in lower marks or rejection of projects. IGNOU will require original content even in discussions of studies already completed.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not require students to write on the scale of a PhD thesis. In the same way those who write merely to explain their ideas are discouraged. In an ignou project the literature review will reflect understanding that is postgraduate.
You will be required to read books, research papers journals, reports, and sometimes even government publications related to your topic. The study should focus on topics which are directly related to the research area you are studying.
If, for instance, your project focuses on the performance of financials of banks Then your literature review should include earlier studies regarding financial ratios profitability analysis of bank operations, performance in banking, and risk evaluation.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
A common mistake made by students is choosing too many different sources. Quality matters more than quantity. For a project in ignou between 15 and 20 strong sources are usually enough should they be selected carefully.
The best sources are academic journals popular books written by well-known creators, RBI newspapers, report from government agencies, as well as university research papers. Websites that have unclear authorship should be avoided.
Always opt for recent studies most likely from the past 10 years. It is possible to include older studies in the event that they are fundamental in their nature.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized section improves understanding and perception. Instead of writing random summaries, break up the literature review into sensible sections.
You can structure the chapter according to themes, time period and methodology or even variables examined. For example, one section may discuss studies related to profitability, whereas a different section could focus on liquidity, and another one on operational efficiency.
The structure can aid evaluators in understanding that you're not simply taking content and copying it, but also analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style is to be professional but easy. Avoid heavy language and unnecessary terms. IGNOU believes in simplicity over complexity.
Each research study you write about should include the author name, year of study, goals, methodology, as well as principal findings. Don't mention the findings in a way that is purely mechanical. You should try to link one study with another.
For instance, after discussing one study, you could write about how a different author's research supported or opposed those findings. This method of comparison adds an additional dimension to your ignou mcom project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
The most common error is writing the literature review in the form of a textbook chapter. A brief explanation of the most fundamental concepts, like what accounting is and the meaning of management should not be included in this article unless they are directly linked to previous studies.
Another error is overquoting. Your review of literature should be written by you in yourself. A phrasing style shows understanding, whereas copying indicates dependence.
They are also often unable to link sources to their own research issue. Each study you reference should be in line with your research objectives.
Connection of Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the major results of the review of literature is identifying the gap in research. IGNOU evaluators expect you to identify what earlier researchers didn't know or the areas where more study is required.
After reviewing a number of studies, you'll find that a lot of research focuses on large enterprises in contrast to small businesses being not considered. The earlier studies also used secondary data but primary data was scarce.
This is why it's the main reason for your an ignou project. Without this, your project could seem repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
While writing the review of literature the proper citation is crucial. IGNOU generally recognizes APA style, but consistency is more important than perfect.
Each study covered must appear in the list of references at the end of the study. Incomplete references raise doubts about authenticity.
Beware of footnotes when writing a literature review. Citations in text work better and appears more professional in an ignou MCOM project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often ask how long the review of literature must be. There is no set amount, but for an ignou for an mcom project, the length typically ranges from fifteen hundred and two thousand words.
The length of the discussion should be based on how complex the topic is. A broader topic requires more research. A concentrated topic will require less but more in-depth discussions.
Writing lengthy reviews that are not needed without analysis is not going to improve your marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing like this
Author A studied the bank's performance and got good results
Write this in the same way as
Autor A conducted research on bank performance based on financial ratios. She found that profitability improved thanks to better asset control. This conclusion was later confirmed by Author B and Author B, who emphasised the importance of operational efficiency in increasing bank returns.
This approach emphasizes an understanding and analysis that can be valued in an MCOM project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU takes plagiarism seriously. Many projects are rejected or delayed due to published literature reviews that have been copied. Even if you reference earlier studies, the language has to be distinctly yours.
Make use of plagiarism-checking tools if you can and then rewrite the content until it sounds natural. A slightly imperfect sentence is far better than perfect copied.
Final Review Before Submission
Before you submit your IGNOU MCOM project writing services (http://www.feizan.com) project, read the entire literature review. Be sure to check if each study is relevant, if you can follow the logic of the review and whether the chapter naturally leads to your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter help explain what my study needs to be done. If yes, it's on the right track.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a literature review for an ignou mcom project may be daunting at first particularly for those returning to academics following a gap. But once you know that it's about connection and analysis, rather than recitation, the challenge becomes doable.
It is important to take time to read, think, and write in your own voice. It is reflected clearly in the final work. It often makes the difference between two submissions: a standard one and a impressive one.