For a lot of students studying at IGNOU and IGNOU, the study of literature becomes the most confusing aspect of their project. This is especially the case for those working on an ignou-mcom project in which academic depth is expected but guidance often isn't available. Students usually ask if require a summation of their books, revise journal articles, or simply gather quotes. In reality, there is a place between, and understanding that differences can affect the overall quality of the project.
A literature review is not intended to be a record of the quantity of information you've read. It's written to demonstrate how well you know the existing work related to your subject and how your project fits within it. IGNOU examiners are particularly interested in this chapter because it reflects your ability to link the research directions with your theory.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before writing anything, however, it is crucial to comprehend why the chapter exists in an ignou MCOM project. Literature review serves three primary functions.
In the first place, it indicates it is clear that the topic you've chosen already has been explored in the academic world and is relevant to research. It also helps you discover gaps or issues in earlier research. Thirdly it helps you establish an outline of your research objectives and methodology.
A majority of students view this chapter as a formality, and duplicate content from previous projects or even from online sources. This often results in very low marks or projects being rejected. IGNOU expects original writing even when discussing existing studies.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not require students to write at the level of an PhD thesis. However any explanation that is not basic is prohibited. For an ignou MCOM Project IGNOU project, the review of literature should reflect postgraduate level understanding.
You'll be expected to read research papers, books journals, reports, and sometimes, government publications related in your research topic. The concentration should be on the studies closely related to your area of study.
In this case, for example, if your research focuses on the financial performance of banks In your literature review, you should concentrate on studies that have been conducted previously related to financial ratios, efficiency of banks, profitability analyses and risk assessment.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
A common mistake made by students is to select too many irrelevant sources. It's more about quality than quantity. In the case of an ignou MCOM project, around fifteen to twenty strong sources are usually enough when they're well-chosen.
These are good sources for academic journals that are reputable, well-known books by famous authors RBI publication, reports from the government, and even university research papers. Websites that don't have a clear authorship must be avoided.
Always look for studies that are more recent which are typically from the last ten years. More recent studies can be added only if they're fundamental in terms of.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter enhances readership and impression. Instead of writing random summaries and essays, you should divide all the reviews of books into clear sections.
You can arrange the chapter by theme, time period research methodology, or other variables that are studied. For instance, one chapter could discuss research related to the financial performance, while another may focus upon liquidity, while another concerning operational efficiency.
This structure aids evaluators in understanding that you're not copying content, but rather analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style must be formal but not abrasive. Avoid heavy language and unnecessary language. IGNOU believes in simplicity over complexity.
Each study you analyze should include the name of the author, year of study, methodological objective, the main findings. However, you shouldn't list the findings in a way that is purely mechanical. Make sure to connect one study with the other.
For instance, following discussion of your findings from one study, explain how another author's work supported the results or countered them. The comparative approach adds more an additional dimension to your ignou mcom project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
The most common error is writing the literature review as an academic chapter. Explaining basic concepts such as the definition of accounting, or the meaning of management isn't appropriate here unless directly linked to previous research.
Another error is overquoting. Your literature review should be written by you in the style of your personal words. Writing in a paraphrase shows comprehension, whereas copying shows dependence.
Students should also make sure to link works to their research area. The research you refer to should have a clear connection your research objectives.
The Linkage Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the most significant outcomes of a review of literature is to identify the research gap. IGNOU examiners expect you reveal what previous researchers did not know or the areas where more study is required.
After discussing multiple studies, you'll notice that the majority of studies focus on large organisations smaller firms were unaddressed. Or that earlier studies used secondary data, whereas primary data was scarce.
The gap in the picture is the reason for your project ignou mcom. Without it, your plan could appear to be repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
While writing the review of literature The proper citation of the source is essential. IGNOU generally supports APA style, but consistent writing is more important than flawlessness.
Each study covered must appear in the reference list at the end of the study. Lack of references could raise doubts over authenticity.
Don't use footnotes to review literature. The in-text citation is better and looks more professional in an ignou MCOM project.

Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often inquire about how long the length of their review on literature ought to run. There's no set timeframe and for an ignou MCOM project, the chapter usually ranges between fifteen hundred and two thousand words.
The length should be determined by your topic's complexity. A bigger topic will require the most research, whereas a focussed topic requires less but more in-depth discussions.
Unnecessarily lengthy reviews with no analysis is not going to improve your marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing this way,
Author A analyzed the bank's performance and got good results
Write as such
Author A conducted a study about banking performance by using financial ratios. The study found that profitability improved through better asset management. This conclusion was later affirmed by Author B who also emphasized the importance of the efficiency of operations in enhancing return on investment for banks.
This is an approach that demonstrates understanding and analysis, which is what counts in an MCOM project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU takes plagiarism seriously. Many projects are refused or delayed because of copies of literature reviews. Even if you cite other studies, your language has to be distinctly yours.
Utilize plagiarism checking tools when feasible and revise content until it sounds natural. A slightly imperfect sentence is superior to copied perfection.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting an ignou mcom project, read your literature review carefully. Check whether each study is relevant, whether your flow follows logically and whether the chapter is logically linked to your research objectives.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter provide a reason why my research is necessary. If the answer is yes, this review of literature is definitely on the right path.
Closing Thoughts
Reviewing literature for an ignou-mcom project might be difficult at first especially for students returning to academics after a gap. When you understand that it's about analysis and connection rather than memorization, it can be accomplished.
Make time to read, think and write in your unique voice. This effort will be evident in the final draft and often can be the difference in an average project and a high-quality one.