Many students taking part in IGNOU, the review of literature can be the most confusing element of the project. This is especially the case for those who are working on an ignou project for mcom, where academic rigor is expected, but the guidance feels limited. Students usually ask whether they are required to summarize books or amend journal articles, and simply collect quotations. In reality, there is a place between, and knowing that the difference can impact the quality of the entire project.
A literature review is not intended to be a record of the amount of material you've read. It's written to demonstrate how much you comprehend literature that is relevant to your subject and how your project fits in. IGNOU evaluaters pay close attention to this chapter as it shows your ability to connect knowledge with research directions.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before you begin writing any article, it important to be aware of the reason this chapter exists in an ignou mcom project. The literature review serves three main goals.
First, it shows that the subject you have chosen has been studied earlier and has a scientific significance. The second is that it assists you to find gaps or weaknesses in previous studies. It also provides an overview of your research objectives and methodology.
Many students take this chapter as a formality and copy content from previous assignments or online sources. The result is usually low marks or project rejection. IGNOU expects original writing even in discussions of studies already completed.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not require students to write on the scale of the PhD thesis. However any explanation that is not basic is discouraged. When a ignou mcom project is being developed the literature review should reflect an understanding of postgraduate levels.
You're expected review research papers, books and reports, as well as journals as well as government publications that are related to your field of study. The concentration should be on the studies that directly pertain to your research area.
If, for instance, your project focuses on the performance of financials of banks and banks, then your literature search should be focused on previous studies about financial ratios performances of banks, profitability studies and risk assessment.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
A common error students make is selecting a lot of unrelated sources. It's more about quality than quantity. For an ignou mcom project between 15 and 20 reliable sources will suffice should they be selected carefully.
Academic journals are a good option and reputable books written by well-known writers, RBI books, public reports and university level research papers. Websites that are not clear on authorship should be avoided.
Always look for studies that are more recent especially those from the past ten years. The older studies may be included but only if it is foundational in the nature.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
An organized chapter improves reading comprehension and creates a positive impression. Instead of composing random summaries, you can divide your literature reviews into logical sections.
You could organize the chapter in accordance with themes, time period research methodology, or other variables examined. For instance, one section might focus on studies that relate to profitability, whereas another might focus on liquidity while the other focused on the efficiency of operations.
This structure aids evaluators in understanding the difference between taking content and copying it, but also analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style should be straightforward but academic. Avoid excessive language and use of jargon. IGNOU insists on simplicity over clarity.
Each study you present should be accompanied by the name of the author, the year of study, the research objectives, methods, and main findings. It is not necessary to list them chronologically. You should try to link one study with a different one.
For instance, following discussion of one study, it is possible to discuss how a different author's findings supported or disputed those findings. This way of looking at comparisons adds depth to your ignou mcom project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
One frequent error is writing the literature review as an academic chapter. Discussing fundamental concepts like definition of accounting or the significance of management is not appropriate in this section unless it is directly connected to previous studies.
Another issue is the overuse of quoting. Your review of literature should be written by you in Your own voice. It is a sign of understanding that you are paraphrasing, while writing in a copy shows dependency.
Students may also not link works to their research subject. Every study you mention should have a clear connection to the goals of your project.
Interlinking Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the most important results of the review of literature is identifying the gap in research. IGNOU reviewers expect you to clarify what research earlier researchers did not or indicate areas where further research is required.
After discussing multiple studies, you may observe that most research focused on large firms however small companies were disregarded. The earlier studies also used secondary data but primary data was scarce.
This gap becomes the justification for your Ingou MCOM project. Without it, your program could appear monotonous.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When you write a review of literature the proper citation is crucial. IGNOU generally follows APA style, but consistent writing is more important than flawlessness.
Every study to be discussed must be included in the list of references at the end of the study. Missing references create doubts about authenticity.
Don't use footnotes to review literature. A text-based citation is more efficient and appears better in an ignou MCOM project work IGNOU (led53.ru) project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often inquire about how long the review of literature must last. There's no rule of thumb but for an MCOM project, the length of this chapter typically ranges from fifteen hundred or two thousand words.
The length should depend on your topic's complexity. A bigger topic will require more research. A more narrowly-focused topic requires fewer but deeper discussions.
Writing lengthy reviews that are not needed without the ability to analyze them does not boost marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing like this
Author A analyzed the bank's performance and got good results
Write this way
For example, author A conducted a study of bank performance by using financial ratios. The study concluded that profitability increased because of better asset management. The findings were later confirmed by Author B, who emphasized the importance of operational efficiency in improving returns to banks.
This approach displays the ability to analyze and comprehend, which is a must in an mcom project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU takes plagiarism seriously. Many projects get cancelled or delayed due copies of literature reviews. Even if you cite previous studies, the terminology you use must reflect the original.
Check for plagiarism using tools if possible and rewrite content until it sounds natural. A sentence that is slightly imperfect is far better than perfect copied.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting your ignou-mcom task, revisit the literature review thoroughly. Examine whether every study is relevant, whether the flow is logical and if your chapter will naturally lead to your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter help explain why my study is needed. If yes, then you're on the correct path.
Closing Thoughts
Reviewing literature for an ignou MCOM project can be a challenge at first Particularly for students returning to college after a long absence. Once you realize that it's an analysis and connection, rather than memorization, the project becomes doable.
Be sure to read, consider, and write in your unique voice. This dedication is clearly reflected on your final product and often marks the difference between being a weak submission and an average one. impressive one.