Many students taking part in IGNOU review, reviewing literature can be the most confusing element of the project. This is especially the case for those who are working on an ignou MCOM project in which academic depth is expected but guidance often isn't as clear. Students often ask if they require a summation of their books, rewrite journal articles, or simply gather quotations. The reality is somewhere between, and knowing that different perspectives can impact the quality of the entire project.
A review of literature is not written to reveal how much of the literature you've read. It is written to show how well you understand the available research on the topic of your choice and how you project is integrated into it. IGNOU examiners examine this chapter, as it illustrates your ability to link concepts with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before you begin writing any article, it is vital to understand the reason this chapter exists in an IGNOU MCOM Project Writing MCOM project. Literature review serves three main goals.
It first shows that the topic you chose has been extensively studied and has a scientific significance. Furthermore, it will help you discern gaps or deficiencies in earlier studies. Third, it provides a base for your studies' goals and research methodology.
Many students treat this chapter as a formality and duplicate content from previous assignments or online sources. This is a common practice that results in poor marks or even project rejection. IGNOU is seeking original and unique writing even when examining existing studies.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU doesn't expect students to write at the level of an PhD thesis. At the same time extremely basic explanations are also discouraged. For a project involving ignou MCOM the literature review must reflect the postgraduate understanding.
You're expected to study research papers, books journal articles, reports, and sometimes government publications related with your field. The concentrate should be on studies that directly link to the research area you are studying.
For instance, if your study is about the financial performance of banks So, your literature reviews should include earlier studies concerning financial ratios the performance of banks, profitability analysis and risk evaluation.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
The most frequent mistake that students make is deciding to use too many disparate sources. Quality matters more than quantity. For an ignou-mcom project it is recommended that you use between 15 and 20 strong sources are usually enough for a good selection.
A good source is academic journals popular books written by well-known authors RBI books, public reports and even university research papers. Websites with ambiguous authorship should be avoided.
Always go for the most recent research at least from the last 10 years. Older studies can be included only if they're foundational in manner.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized section improves readership and impression. Instead of composing random summaries and essays, you should divide each literature overview into clear sections.
You can structure the chapter according to themes, time period research methodology, or other variables to be studied. For example, one section could focus on studies related profitability, another may focus on liquidity, while another about operational effectiveness.
This structure aids in understanding that you're not copying content, but you are analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style must be formal but not abrasive. Avoid a lot of language and vocabulary. IGNOU values clarity over complexity.
Each study you discuss should be listed with the author's name, year of study, goals, methodology, as well as the main findings. Be careful not to list them in a linear manner. It is best to connect one study with a different one.
For instance, following discussion of the findings of one study, you could explain how another author's work supported and/or refuted the findings. This sort of comparative approach will add richness to your ignou project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
A common error is to write the literature review as an academic chapter. Explaining basic concepts such as definition of accounting or meaning of management should not be included in this section unless it is directly connected in previous studies.
Another error is overquoting. Your literature review should be written in your own words. The use of paraphrasing indicates understanding, whereas copying demonstrates dependency.
Students may also not link literature with their own research topic. Every research you present should have a clear connection your research goals.
The Linkage Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the major outcomes of reviewing the literature is identifying the gap in research. IGNOU examiners are expecting you to show what earlier researchers missed or indicate where additional research is required.
After discussing multiple studies, you'll notice that the majority of research was focused on large companies but small companies were left out. Also, earlier studies employed secondary data but primary information was not as extensive.
This gap becomes the justification for your project in the ignou mcom. Without it, your plan could appear to be repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When you write a review of literature An accurate citation is imperative. IGNOU generally supports APA style, however the consistency is more important than perfection.
Each research study should be included in the list of references at the end of the project. Missing references create doubts about authenticity.
Beware of footnotes when writing a literature review. Citation in text is more effective and looks more professional in an ignou MCOM project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students frequently ask what the length of the reviews of books should run. There's no definitive rule but, for an ignou assignment in mcom, this chapter typically ranges from fifteen hundred or two thousand words.
The length should be determined by what the topic's difficulty. A more broad subject requires more studies, while a particular topic will require fewer, but more extensive discussions.
Writing unnecessarily long reviews without the ability to analyze them does not boost marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing as this
Author A conducted a study of the performance of banks and came up with positive results
Write this in the same way as
The author A conducted a study about the performance of banks using financial ratios. They found that profitability improved because of better asset administration. This was later validated by Author B, who emphasized the role of operational efficiency when it comes to improving bank profits.
This strategy demonstrates an understanding and analysis that is valued in an ignou mcom project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU takes plagiarism seriously. Many projects get denied or delayed because of copy-pasted literature reviews. Even if your reference is to previous research, the language should be unique to your project.
Make use of plagiarism checking tools whenever you can and then rewrite the content until it sounds natural. A sentence that is slightly imperfect is much better than perfect copying.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting your ignou mcom project, go through the entire literature review. Check whether each study is relevant, whether the flow of the study is coherent and whether your chapter will naturally lead to your research objectives.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this section explain the reasons for my research. If the answer is yes that literature study is in the right path.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a literature review for an ignou MCOM project may be daunting at first particularly for those returning to university after a gap. If you can realize that it's all about connection and analysis rather than memorizing, the job is a lot easier.
Make time to read, consider, and write in your personal voice. This is reflected on your final product and often is the difference between two submissions: a standard one and a well-crafted one.