For many students in IGNOU MCOM project submission guide The review of literature becomes the most confusing portion of their work. This is especially true when working on IGNOU's mcom projects, where academic depth is expected. However, instruction often feels limited. Students frequently ask if they need to summarize books, write journal articles in a different way, or simply take notes of quotations. The truth lies somewhere between, and understanding how different approaches can impact the overall quality of the project.
A review of literature is NOT written to illustrate the amount of material you've read. It is written to show how well you comprehend prior work on the topic you're researching and how your research fits into it. IGNOU evaluators look closely at the chapter since it demonstrates your ability to connect ideas with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before writing anything, is crucial to consider the reasons this chapter exists in an ignou mcom project. The review of literature serves three principal purposes.
It first shows that the subject you picked is a subject that has been studied previously and has academic significance. It also helps you detect gaps or deficiencies in prior research. Thirdly, it serves as the basis for your research goals and your methodology.
Students often view this chapter as a formality and take content from other assignments or other online sources. This approach usually results in negative marks or project rejection. IGNOU requires original work even when addressing existing research.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not require students to write at the level of a PhD thesis. Additionally simple explanations are also not recommended. When a ignou mcom project is being developed the literature review must reflect the postgraduate understanding.
The expectation is to look over books, research papers and reports, as well as journals or even publications from the government that relate to your subject. The study should focus on topics which are directly related to your research area.
For instance, if the research focuses on the financial performance of banks Then your literature review will focus on prior studies that dealt with financial ratios, profitability analysis, banking performance and risk assessment.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
One of the most common mistakes students make is selecting too many non-related sources. It's more about quality than quantity. In the case of an ignou MCOM project anywhere between fifteen and twenty strong sources are usually enough as long as they're carefully chosen.
Some good sources are academic journals highly regarded books by well-known names, RBI papers, official reports as well as university research papers. Websites that have unclear authorship should be avoided.
Always look for studies that are more recent, ideally from the last 10 years. It is possible to include older studies only if they are fundamental in terms of.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized section improves the readability and impact. Instead of writing random summaries and essays, you should divide each literature overview into sensible sections.
You can arrange the chapter by theme, time period as well as the methodology or variables which are being studied. For instance, one section might focus on studies that relate to profit, while another could concentrate upon liquidity, while another regarding operational efficiency.
This structure aids in understanding that you are not just copying content, but actually analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The style of writing must be formal but not abrasive. Avoid a heavy use of language or unnecessary terms. IGNOU places emphasis on clarity over complexity.
Every research you share should be accompanied by the name of the author, year of study, goal, methodology, and most important results. It is not necessary to list them in a logical manner. You should try to link one study with the other.
For example, after analyzing some study, you can describe how another researcher supported or refuted the findings. This method of comparison adds greater depth to your project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
A common error is to compose the literature review as it is a textbook chapter. A brief explanation of the most fundamental concepts, like the definition of accounting, or the meaning of management are not needed here unless directly linked to studies that have been done previously.
Another mistake is to use too many quotes. Your review of literature should be written by you in yourself. A phrasing style shows understanding, whereas using copying can show dependency.
Many students do not connect works to their research topics. Every study you mention should have a clear connection the goals of your project.
Establishing a linkage Literature Review with Research Gap
One of most important result of reviewing literature is to identify the research gap. IGNOU evaluaters want you to expose what researchers of the past missed or indicate where additional research is required.
In a discussion of multiple studies you will notice that the majority of research focused on large organizations in contrast to small businesses being not considered. In the past, studies utilized secondary data, whereas primary data was not enough.
This is a reason for your IGNOU mcom project. Without it, your project could appear repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When writing a review of literature the proper citation is crucial. IGNOU generally accepts APA style, however quality is more important than consistency.
Each research study should be included in the list of references at the end of the study. References that are not included raise doubts about authenticity.
Beware of footnotes when writing a literature review. In text citations work better and is cleaner when used in an ignou MCOM project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students frequently ask what the length of the book review needs to last. There is no fixed rule to follow, but for an MCOM project, the length of this chapter typically spans from fifteen hundred and two thousand words.
The length of the discussion should be based on your topic's complexity. A more broad subject requires more research. A particular topic will require fewer, but more in-depth discussions.
Writing excessively long reviews without analyses does not increase marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing this way,
Author A did a thorough study of bank performance and came across positive results
Write in this manner
The author A conducted an investigation on the performance of banks using financial ratios. They found that profitability improved because of better asset administration. The findings were later confirmed by Author B in his study, who focused on the role played by operational efficiency in enhancing bank earnings.
This method is based on an understanding and analysis that can be valued in an MCOM project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU takes plagiarism very seriously. Many projects get denied or delayed because of duplicated literature reviews. However, even if you use previously published studies, the style ought to be uniquely yours.
Make use of plagiarism-checking tools if possible. You can also rewrite your 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, read the literature review thoroughly. Be sure to check if each study is relevant, if the flow is consistent and if the chapter flows naturally towards your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter help explain the reason for why I need to study it. If the answer is yes then your research paper is right on path.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a review of literature for a ignou mcom project could be daunting at first, especially for students returning to academics following a gap. But once you know that it's about analysis and connection rather that memorization, the work becomes manageable.
You should take the time to read, think and write in your unique voice. This is reflected on the final piece and often can be the difference in an average project and a high-quality one.