There are many students who enroll in IGNOU reviewing research becomes the most confusing aspect of their project. This is especially the case for students working on an ignou mcom assignment, where academic depth is expected, but the guidance isn't as clear. Students usually ask whether they must write summaries of books, edit journal articles, or simply collect quotations. The truth lies somewhere between, and understanding how different approaches can impact the overall quality of the project.
A review of literature is not intended to demonstrate the quantity of information you've read. It is written to show that you are knowledgeable about the prior work on the topic you're studying and how your idea fits in with it. IGNOU MCOM Project Help Online reviewers are attentive to this chapter since it showcases your ability to link knowledge with research directions.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before composing anything, it is important to understand why this chapter is necessary in an ignou MCOM project. Literature reviews serve three main purposes.
First, it demonstrates that the topic you chose has been studied earlier and has a scientific significance. Second, it aids you detect gaps or deficiencies in earlier studies. Third, it provides the basis for your research objectives and methodological.
A majority of students view this chapter as a formality and duplicate content from previous projects or other sources online. This usually leads to lower marks or rejection of projects. IGNOU insists on original writing, even in discussions of studies already completed.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not require students to write at the level of a PhD thesis. But simple explanations are too much to be avoided. In the case of an ignou mcom assignment the literature review should reflect an understanding of postgraduate levels.
You are expected to review research papers, books and reports, as well as journals and even government publications pertaining to your area of study. The primary focus should be on research which are directly related to the research area you are studying.
For instance, if the project focuses on the performance of financials of banks, then your literature review should examine earlier research in relation to financial ratios efficiency of banks, profitability analyses, and risk evaluation.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
One of the most common mistakes students make is selecting a lot of unrelated sources. It's more about quality than quantity. In the case of an ignou MCOM project between 15 and 20 high-quality sources are often enough if they are well chosen.
Academic journals are a good option reliable books from well-known the authors RBI papers, official reports as well as university research papers. Websites that don't have a clear authorship must be avoided.
Always pick studies from recent years which are typically from the last 10 years. More recent studies can be added only if they are foundational in way.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter enhances comprehension and makes a good impression. Instead of writing short summaries that are not organized, divide this literature summary into clear sections.
You can organize the chapter according to themes, time period and methodology or even variables which are being studied. For instance, one chapter may focus on research studies related to profitability, whereas a different section could focus on liquidity, and a third about operational effectiveness.
This format helps evaluaters understand the difference between copying content, you are actually analysing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style should be straightforward but academic. Avoid excessive language and vocabulary. IGNOU is a firm believer in simplicity over clarity.
Each research study you write about should include the name of its author, year of study, objective, methodology, and major findings. Be careful not to list them in a logical manner. Do your best to link one study with another.
For instance, when discussing the findings of one study, you could write about how a different author's research supported or opposed those findings. This method of comparison adds greater depth to your project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
One of the most frequent mistakes is to write the literature review as an academic chapter. Simply explaining concepts such as what accounting is and the meaning of management is not appropriate in this section unless it is directly connected to prior studies.
Another error is over-quoting. Your literature review should be written by you in yourself. In the end, paraphrasing is an indication of understanding, while copying shows dependency.
Students may also not link books to their own research issue. Every study you mention should be in line with your research objectives.
Connecting Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the main results of the review of literature is identifying the gap in research. IGNOU examiners are expecting you to be able to demonstrate what prior researchers missed or where more research is required.
After examining a variety of studies, you will notice that the majority of research was focused on large companies while smaller companies were ignored. Additionally, previous studies utilized secondary data, but the primary data were not sufficient.
This gap serves as the rationale for your Ingou MCOM project. Without this, your project could appear repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When you write a review of literature the proper citation is crucial. IGNOU generally recognizes 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. A lack of references may raise doubts as to the study's authenticity.
Avoid footnotes when reviewing literature. The in-text citation is better as it appears cleaner in an ignou MCOM project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students frequently ask what the length of the literature review should last. There's no standard rule however, for an ignou assignment in mcom, this chapter generally runs between fifteen hundred to two thousand words.
The length should depend on topics' complexity. A broad topic will require greater research, whereas a targeted topic requires fewer, but more extensive discussions.
Unnecessarily lengthy reviews with no analysis will not help improve marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing like this
Author A has studied bank performance and discovered good results
Write like this
Write as this: Author A conducted a study on banking performance with financial ratios. He found that profitability improved due to improved asset management. This conclusion was later confirmed by Author B who pointed out the role of operation efficiency in improving the bank's returns.
This is an approach that demonstrates understanding and analysis, which is appreciated in an MCOM project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU takes plagiarism seriously. Many projects get rejected or delayed due to copy-pasted literature reviews. Even if your reference is to previous studies, the language must be your own.
Use plagiarism checking tools if possible. If you are able, modify your content until it sounds natural. A sentence that is slightly flawed is far better than perfect copied.
Final Review Before Submission
Prior to submitting your ignou mcom project, go through your literature review carefully. Examine whether every study is relevant, whether the flow is consistent and if the chapter is logically linked to your research objectives.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter give a rationale for why my study is needed. If yes, then that literature study is in the right track.
Closing Thoughts
Reviewing literature for a ignou mcom project might be difficult at first especially for students returning to school after a long hiatus. Once you realize that it's about connection and analysis, rather than recitation, the challenge becomes manageable.
Make time to read, think, and write in your personal voice. The result of your efforts will be apparent on the final piece and often makes the difference between two submissions: a standard one and a impressive one.
