In the case of many students at IGNOU The review of literature can be the most confusing aspect of the work. This is particularly true for those working on an ignou mcom assignment, in which academic depth is expected. However, guidance usually seems to be a little sluggish. Students usually ask if must write summaries of books, make journal articles more readable, or simply collect quotations. The reality lies somewhere in between, and knowing that differences can affect the quality of the entire project.
Literature reviews are not a report of how much literature you've read. It is written to show how well you comprehend the literature that is relevant to the topic you're researching and how your proposal fits within it. IGNOU reviewers are attentive to this chapter due to your ability to connect ideas with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before you write anything, it is crucial to understand why this chapter is needed in an ignou MCOM project. Literature review serves three principal purposes.
First, it shows that the subject you have chosen has been extensively studied and has a scientific significance. Second, it aids you find gaps or weaknesses in earlier studies. It also provides an understanding of research goals and your methodology.
A majority of students view this chapter as a formality, and duplicate content from previous projects or even from online sources. This usually leads to low marks or project rejection. IGNOU expects original writing even when discussing studies that are already in progress.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not require students to write at the level of the PhD thesis. But it is recommended that students write in a simple way. not permitted. For a project involving ignou MCOM, the review of literature will reflect understanding that is postgraduate.
You will be required to read books, research papers journal articles, reports, and sometimes, government publications related with your field. The emphasis should be placed on studies which directly relate to your research field.
For example, if you study is about the financial performance of banks If so, your literature analysis will focus on prior studies on financial ratios, bank performance, profitability analysis and risk evaluation.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
The most frequent 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-mcom project approximately fifteen to twenty sturdy sources is usually sufficient for a good selection.
Good sources include academic journals as well as reputable books by renowned author, RBI publications, federal reports as well as university research papers. Websites that lack clarity on the author should be avoided.
Always opt for recent studies at least from the last ten years. The older studies may be included only if they're of a fundamental in study.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter increases quality of reading and impression. Instead of composing random summaries, you can divide the literature review into clear sections.
You may organize the chapter using themes, period methodologies, or the variables to be studied. For instance, one chapter might focus on studies that relate to profitability, while another could focus on liquidity, and another focused on the efficiency of operations.
This structure helps evaluators understand that you're not taking content and copying it, but also analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The style of writing is to be professional but easy. Avoid dense language and excessive terms. IGNOU favors clarity over complexity.
Each study you discuss should be listed with the author's name, the year of study, the goal, methodology, and the major findings. Be careful not to list them in a logical manner. Make an effort to link one study with another.
If you're discussing some research, you might describe how another researcher supported or refuted these findings. This kind of approach can add an additional dimension to your ignou mcom project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
One of the most frequent mistakes is to write the literature review in the form of the textbook chapter. Discussing fundamental concepts like the definition of accounting and the meaning of management is not appropriate here unless directly linked to previous research.
Another mistake is to use too many quotes. Your review of literature should be written by you in one's own terms. A phrasing style shows understanding, whereas copying implies dependence.
They also fail to link study findings to their own subject. The research you refer to should be in a direct connection to your research goals.
Connecting Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the most significant result of the study of literature is identifying the gap in research. IGNOU evaluators expect you to show what earlier researchers missed or where further study is needed.
After looking over several studies, you may observe that most studies were focused on large businesses but small companies were unaddressed. It is also possible that previous studies used secondary data but primary data was limited.
This void is the reason for your ignou mcom project. Without it, the project might appear to be repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
In writing a review of literature The proper citation of the source is essential. IGNOU generally follows APA style, however the consistency is more important than perfection.
Every study to be discussed must be included in the list of references at the end of the study. The absence of references can raise doubts regarding authenticity.
Do not use footnotes for literature reviews. A text-based citation is more efficient and looks more professional in an ignou mcom project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students frequently ask what the length of the review of literature must run. There's no definitive rule but, for an ignou mcom project, this chapter typically spans from fifteen hundred and two thousand words.
The length should be determined by topics' complexity. A more broad subject requires greater research, whereas a focussed topic requires less but deeper discussions.
Writing excessively long reviews without analysis does not improve marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing this way,
Author A did a thorough study of the bank's performance, and found positive results
Write this in the same way as
For example, author A conducted a study on the performance of banks using financial ratios. It found that profitability improved through better asset management. This finding was later supported by Author B and Author B, who emphasised the role of operational efficiency in improving returns for banks.
This is an approach that demonstrates an understanding and analysis that is a must in an MCOM project work IGNOU (ubnt.ru) project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU is a firm believer in plagiarism. Many projects are stopped or rejected because of plagiarism in literature reviews. However, even if you use past studies, your language is yours.
Utilize plagiarism checking software if possible and rewrite content until it sounds natural. A slightly imperfect sentence is more effective than perfect copying.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting your ignou mcom project, reread your literature review carefully. Verify that each research is relevant, if the flow is logical and if the chapter flows naturally towards your research objectives.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter provide a reason the need for my study. If yes, then you're on the correct track.
Closing Thoughts
Reviewing literature as part of an ignou master's thesis may be daunting at first especially for those who return to school after a break. Once you realize that it's about analysis and connection rather than memorization, it is easy to handle.
Read, think and write in your personal voice. Your effort is evident into the final version of your work. This can make the difference between being a weak submission and an average one. good one.
