Choosing the right research design and method for data collection is one of the most complicated aspects for students completing their IGNOU project. Students often begin writing their ignou mcom project without having a clear understanding of the type of research they're actually undertaking. So, the methodology section may appear weak, copied or out of touch with the topic.
This article focuses exclusively on the process of selecting an appropriate research strategy and data collection method of IGNOU MCom projects. It clarifies concepts using a simple terms and connects them with practical examples so that students can apply them easily.
Why Research Design Matters in IGNOU Projects
Research design is an outline of your research. It is the basis for your project. If the design of your research is not correct, everything that will follow data collection the conclusion, and analysis becomes suspect.
IGNOU doesn't expect complicated or highly technical research design. What they are looking for is alignment. The design should match your goals, objectives, topic, as well as information availability.
Many students score low marks, not because their subject is poor it's because their layout is not in line with the goals they've written.
Understanding Research Design in Simple Terms
Research design specifies the type of research you're carrying out. It will answer three important questions.
What is being looked at?
the reason it is being examined
What is being investigated
In the IGNOU MCOM Project Writing mcom project work, research design usually falls between the following groups.
Descriptive Research Design
The descriptive design for research has become among the most frequently used design in IGNOU MCom projects. It is employed for projects where the aim is to define a condition, situation, or a particular performance.
This design is ideal to be used in areas such as.
Customer satisfaction
Experience of the customers
Analyzing financial performance
Management of working capital
Impact of training on employees
In descriptive research researchers don't alter variables. The research is focused on watching and describing the facts.
Example explanation.
The study is based on a descriptive research design to analyze the present financial position of the selected company using relevant data.
This design is safe and accepted. It is also easy explain in an project for mcom.
Analytical Research Design
An analytical research design is utilized when the study goes far beyond description to try to determine the relationships between performance trends or patterns.
This design will work if the project you are working on includes.
Analyzing ratios
Tend analysis
Comparative analysis between companies
Financial year wise evaluation
Many finance-related ignou projects employ analytical design in addition to descriptive design.
Example explanation.
The study uses an analytical research methodology to analyze the financial performance of a company through trend analysis and ratio analysis.
This indicates depth without sounding complicated.
Exploratory Research Design
Exploratory research design is employed in cases where the subject is fresh or has not been clearly defined. It's less popular when it comes to IGNOU MCom projects but may be used in fields like.
Emerging business practices
Digital payment adoption
New accounting standards awareness
Example explanation.
The study is based on an exploratory research approach to determine the perception of employees about recent accounting practices.
Use this design only if your topic is really exploring something unfamiliar.
Choosing the Right Research Design for Your Topic
To determine the proper design take a look at these issues.
Am I writing about an existing situation
Are I analyzing performances or trends
Are I examining a new concept
If the answer is a description of a concept, you can choose a descriptive style.
If it is based on numbers and comparison, add analytical design.
If it focuses on understanding new ideas explore design.
To be used for most ignou-mcom project submissions, descriptive and analytical designs are more than adequate.
Understanding Data Collection Methods
If you've chosen a research methodology, the next step is to decide how data should be collected. The data collection method must fit your research concept.
IGNOU accepts primary and secondary data. What is important is honesty, and clarity.
Primary Data Collection Method
Primary data refers to data gathered at the point of collection by researchers for the first.
The most commonly used data tools are.
Questionnaire
Interview
Observation
Primary data is useful to use when your project involves beliefs or beliefs, or even behavior.
Topics that could be appropriate the primary use of data.
Employee satisfaction
Customer service quality
Investor perception
Training effectiveness
Designing a Questionnaire for IGNOU Project
A lot of students take questionnaires, but fail to design them correctly. IGNOU is not evaluating the questionnaire in depth, however it must appear relevant and rational.
Guidelines for questionnaire design.
Be sure to keep questions simple
Beware of technological language
Use close ended questions
Questions should be linked to goals
Example description for methodology section.
The primary data was collected by using an organized questionnaire comprised of short-ended questions formulated according to the purposes of the study.
Do not assert advanced survey techniques if you did not use them.
Interview Method in IGNOU Projects
Interview method is less common but useful for small sample studies. It's great for case research and qualitative topics.
Example explanation.
Primary data was gathered through personal interviews with employees to gather their opinions regarding the matter.
Use interview method only if you have had contact with respondents.
Secondary Data Collection Method
Secondary data is data acquired by a third party. It is extensively used in the ignou mcom projects work.
Sources of secondary data include.
Yearly reports, financials Books Research journals Company websites Government publications
Accounting and finance topics typically require secondary information.
Example explanation.
The study relies on secondary information gathered from annual reports books, textbooks, journals or official internet sites.
Secondary information is acceptable provided it is properly cited.
Choosing Between Primary and Secondary Data
Students tend to think that primary data appears superior. This is not always true.
Use primary data only when.
Your topic involves opinions, or behaviors
You are able to speak to people
Size of the sample is feasible
Choose secondary data when.
Your topic is financial, or accounting related.
Data is accessible through reports
Limitations on time
IGNOU does not penalize projects on the basis of secondary information. What is important is an accurate analysis.
Sampling Design in IGNOU Projects
Sampling design describes how respondents or units were chosen.
In the ignou project work with simple sampling techniques sufficient.
Convenience Sampling
Convenience sampling is among the most popular method used by students.
Example explanation.
The method of convenience sampling was employed to select respondents based upon availability and accessibility.
It is also acknowledged by IGNOU.
Random Sampling
Random sampling is a possibility if respondents were selected randomly.
Example explanation.
Random sampling technique was employed to select respondents from the crowd.
Make sure to use this only in the event that the selection was truly random.
Sample Size Selection
Sample size should be reasonable and doable.
The common sample sizes used in IGNOU projects range between 30 and 100 respondents in surveys.
If you are studying financials, sample size may refer to the number years or the size of companies.
Example explanation.
The sample size is fifty respondents from the company.
Or
The study covers financial data from five consecutive years.
Make sure that this is consistent with your analysis section.
Period of Study and Its Importance
The study period defines the duration of your study.
For topics on finance, make sure to mention the years of financial data clearly.
For survey topics, mention the duration of data collection.
Example.
The study spans three months in which data were gathered and analyzed.
This is a sign of planning and clarity.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Many ignou project submissions are ruined by mistakes that could have been avoided.
Copying methodology from internet
using terms and concepts that are advanced without knowing
Discord between goals and methodological approach
Insisting on primary information without evidence
Avoid these mistakes to improve the quality of your project.
How Evaluators Read Your Methodology
IGNOU assessors search for.
The clarity
The flow of logic
Connects to the subject
Sincere explanation
They do not want perfect research. They want genuine effort.
A straightforward and easily explained process is more likely to score higher over a copy of a technical procedure.
Practical Tip for Better Marks
Be sure to read your objectives prior to formulating your strategy. Every objective should be supported with a plan.
If the goal is to analyze the financial performance of an organization, be sure to mention specific ratios.
If objective is to examine the level of satisfaction among employees, you should mention questionnaires.
This alignment leaves a strong impression.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the most appropriate research design and data collection method has nothing to do with complexity. It's about the appropriateness. When it comes to an ignou-mcom project simple decisions that are explained clearly is the ideal way to go.
Make sure you know your subject. Be transparent about your information. Write in your own words. This alone will improve your scores and confidence.