In the case of many students at IGNOU and IGNOU, the study of research becomes the most confusing section of the work. This is especially the case for students working on an ignou mcom project, where academic rigor is expected, yet guidance frequently feels limited. Students usually ask if need to summarize books, make journal articles more readable, or simply collect quotes. The truth lies somewhere between, and knowing that a difference could affect the quality of the entire project.
Literature reviews are not a document that demonstrates the amount of material you've read. It is written to show that you are knowledgeable about the available research on your subject and how your project fits in. IGNOU examiners are particularly interested in this chapter, as it illustrates your ability to connect concepts with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before beginning any writing, it must be understood why this chapter exists in an ignou MCOM project. The review of literature serves three primary purposes.
First, it shows that the subject you chose is one that has been studied in the past and has a scientific significance. In addition, it allows you to detect gaps or deficiencies in previous studies. Thirdly it helps you establish an overview of your research objectives as well as your method of study.
A majority of students view this chapter as a formality and duplicate content from previous projects or other sources online. This typically results in negative marks or project rejection. IGNOU is seeking original and unique writing even when addressing existing research.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU MCOM project submission guide [indianhandicraftitems.com] doesn't expect students to write on the scale of a PhD thesis. But it is recommended that students write in a simple way. also not recommended. When a ignou mcom project is being developed, the review of literature should reflect a postgraduate level of understanding.
The expectation is to look over books, research papers journal articles, reports, and, sometimes, government publications relevant with your field. The attention should be focused on studies relevant to your research area.
For example, if your project is focusing on the financial performance of banks Then your literature review should examine earlier research that dealt with financial ratios, performances of banks, profitability studies and risk assessment.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
A common mistake that students make is choosing too many different sources. Quality matters more than quantity. In the case of an ignou MCOM project between 15 and 20 quality sources are usually sufficient provided they are selected with care.
A good source is academic journals and reputable books written by well-known the authors RBI books, public reports and even university research papers. Websites with ambiguous authorship should be avoided.
Always look for studies that are more recent and ideally, from the last ten years. It is possible to include older studies only if they are foundational in manner.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized and organized chapter enhances comprehension and makes a good impression. Instead of composing brief summaries on the fly, separate chapters of a literature analysis into sensible sections.
You can arrange the chapter in accordance with themes, time period as well as the methodology or variables which are being studied. For instance, one chapter may focus on research studies related to the profitability of a business, while another section may concentrate on liquidity, and another on operational efficiency.
This structure can help evaluators realize that you're not simply copying content but analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The style of writing should be simple but academic. Beware of a long, rambling style and unnecessary jargon. IGNOU seeks simplicity above all else.
Each study you discuss should include the author name, the year of study, the methodological objective, significant findings. Do not, however, list them chronologically. It is best to connect one study with another.
For example, after discussing some research, you might describe how another researcher supported the results or countered them. This approach of comparing studies adds depth to your ignou MCOM project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
An error that is often made is to write the literature review as the kind of chapter in a textbook. The need to explain the fundamental concepts like the definition of accounting or the meaning of management should not be included in this article unless they are directly linked to previous studies.
Another mistake is to use too many quotes. Your literature review should be written by you in the style of your personal words. Paraphrasing shows understanding, while using copying can show dependency.
They are also often unable to link study findings to their own topics. Every study you mention should have a clear link to your research goals.
Interlinking Literature Review with Research Gap
The most important results of the examination of literature is to identify the gap in research. IGNOU examiners expect you clarify what research earlier researchers did not or the areas in which further research is needed.
In a discussion of multiple studies you'll see that most studies focused on large corporations in contrast to small businesses being disregarded. Some studies have used secondary data, but the primary data was not as extensive.
This gap serves as the rationale for your project ignou mcom. Without it, your project may appear monotonous.
Use of Citations and Referencing
While writing the review of literature an appropriate citation is required. IGNOU generally follows APA style, but consistency is more important than perfect.
Each study that is discussed should be included in the list of references at the end of the project. The absence of references can raise doubts regarding authenticity.
Avoid footnotes in literature reviews. A citation in text works better and appears more professional in an ignou mcom project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often inquire about how long the writing review must last. There's no set timeframe and for an ignou mcom project, this chapter usually ranges between fifteen hundred to two thousand words.
The length should be determined by the complexity of the topic. For a broad topic, you will need more research, while a particular topic will require fewer, but more extensive discussions.
A review that is too long and without any analysis doesn't increase marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing like this
Author A analyzed the performance of banks and came up with positive results
Create this type of writing
Autor A performed a study examining banking performance using financial ratios and concluded that profitability increased because of better asset management. This conclusion was later confirmed by Author B who pointed out the role of operational efficiency in improving bank earnings.
This is an approach that demonstrates an understanding and analysis that can be valued in an mcom project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU is a firm believer in plagiarism. Many projects get stopped or rejected because of copy-pasted literature reviews. Even if you reference previous studies, the language needs to reflect your unique style.
Utilize plagiarism checking software if feasible and revise content until it sounds natural. A sentence that is slightly imperfect is better than perfect copied.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting your ignou-mcom project, go through your literature review carefully. Make sure that each study is relevant, whether your flow follows logically and if the chapters flow naturally to your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter give a rationale for what my study needs to be done. If yes, then that literature study is in the right path.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a review of literature for an ignou project can be a challenge at first particularly for students returning to academics following a gap. Once you realize that it is more about analysis and connecting than memorization, the task is easy to handle.
Be sure to read, think and write in your unique voice. This dedication is clearly reflected in the final draft and often is the difference between an average essay and a powerful one.