For many students enrolled in IGNOU review, reviewing literature can be the most complicated part of the assignment. This is especially the case for students working on an ignou mcom assignment, in which academic depth is expected, however guidance often isn't clear. Students frequently ask if they require a summation of their books, modify journal articles, or simply collect quotations. The reality lies somewhere in between, and understanding that difference can change the overall quality of the project.
A review of literature is not a report of how much material you have read. It is written to show your understanding of the current work in relation to your subject and how your proposal fits within it. IGNOU examiners examine the chapter since it demonstrates your ability to connect ideas with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before writing anything, it important to be aware of the reason the section exists in an ignou MCOM project. Literature reviews serve three main functions.
It first shows that the subject you chose already has been explored and has relevance to academic research. Additionally, it can help you discover gaps or issues in previous studies. The third is that it creates an outline of your research goals and methods.
A lot of students view this chapter as a formality, and copy content from previous assignments or online sources. This practice usually leads to low marks or project rejection. IGNOU is seeking original and unique writing even when discussing studies that are already in progress.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not expect students to write at the level of a PhD thesis. Additionally explaining in the simplest way is too much to be avoided. In the case of an IGNOU MCOM project topics mcom assignment the literature review should reflect a postgraduate level of understanding.
You're expected to study books, research papers journals, reports and, sometimes, government publications relevant to your topic. The focus should be on studies that directly link to your research field.
As an example, if the project focuses on the financial health of banks, then your literature review should focus on earlier studies on financial ratios, bank performance, profitability analysis and risk evaluation.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
A common mistake that students make is selecting a lot of unrelated sources. The quality of the information is more important than the quantity. For an ignou project roughly fifteen to twenty quality sources are usually sufficient when they're well-chosen.
The best sources are academic journals and reputable books written by well-known authors RBI publication, reports from the government, and university research papers. Websites that are not clear on authorship should be avoided.
Always pick studies from recent years that are from the last 10 years. The older studies may be included only if they are foundational in their nature.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter increases reading comprehension and creates a positive impression. Instead of writing short summaries that are not organized, divide your literature reviews into clear sections.
You can arrange the chapter by themes, time period method, variables, or methodologies researched. For example, one section may focus on research studies related to the financial performance, while another may focus on liquidity and the third about operational effectiveness.
This structure makes it easier for evaluators to see that you're not copying content. You are actually studying it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The style of writing should be straightforward but academic. Avoid overly complicated language and terms. IGNOU believes in simplicity over complexity.
Every research you share should include the name of its author, the year of study, the objective, methodology, as well as main findings. However, you shouldn't list them in a linear manner. Make sure to connect one study with another.
In the case of discussing an article, you can explain how another author's work supported or refuted these findings. This comparative approach adds an additional dimension to your ignou mcom project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
One frequent error is writing the literature review as an academic chapter. The need to explain the fundamental concepts like the definition of accounting, or the meaning of management isn't appropriate in this section unless it is directly connected with previous research.
Another error is overquoting. Your literature review should be written by you in Your own voice. Paraphrasing shows understanding, while copying demonstrates dependency.
Many students do not connect study findings to their own issue. Every study you write about should be in line with your goals for the project.
Links Literature Review with Research Gap
The most important results of the review of literature is identifying the research gap. IGNOU examiners are expecting you to demonstrate what researchers in the past did not realize or if further research is needed.
After having discussed a myriad of studies you'll find that a lot of studies centered on large organizations, while small firms were overlooked. Some studies have used secondary data, but primary data was not as extensive.
This is a reason for your initiative with ignou MCOM. Without it, your plan could appear monotonous.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When writing a review of literature an appropriate citation is required. IGNOU generally supports APA style, but coherence is more important than perfection.
Every study to be discussed must be included in the reference list at the end of the study. The absence of references can raise doubts regarding authenticity.
Beware of footnotes when writing a literature review. In text citation works better and looks cleaner in an ignou mcom project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often inquire about how long the writing review must last. There's not a standard for length, but for an ignou for an mcom project, the length typically ranges from fifteen hundred at to two thousand.
The length should depend on your topic's complexity. A topic that is more extensive requires more research while a specific topic requires fewer but deeper discussions.
Inadequately long reviews and no analysis is not going to improve your marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing like this
Author A studied bank performance and came across positive results
Write it like this
Autor A conducted a study about the performance of banks by using financial ratios. He concluded that profitability increased because of better asset administration. This conclusion was later affirmed by Author B who stressed the role of operational efficiency in increasing returns for banks.
This type of approach shows an understanding and analysis that is a must in an MCOM project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU takes plagiarism seriously. Many projects are delayed or rejected due to review of literature that has been copied. Even if you cite prior studies, the language ought to be uniquely yours.
Utilize plagiarism checking tools when possible. You can also rewrite your content until it sounds natural. A sentence that is slightly flawed is more effective than perfect copying.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting an ignou mcom project, read the review carefully. Be sure to check if each study is relevant, if the flow is consistent and whether your chapter will naturally lead to your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter give a rationale for why my study is needed. If the answer is yes this review of literature is definitely on the right path.
Closing Thoughts
Reviewing literature for a ignou mcom project may be daunting at first particularly for students who are returning to college after a long absence. But once you know that it is about analysis and connection rather than recitation, the challenge is easy to handle.
Make time to read, think, and write in your unique voice. The result of your efforts will be apparent in the final draft and often determines the difference between an average project and a good one.