For many students in IGNOU reviews of literature can be the most elusive section of the work. This is especially true when working on an ignou project for mcom, where academic rigor is expected, yet guidance frequently isn't as clear. Students usually ask if require a summation of their books, amend journal articles, and simply gather quotes. The reality lies somewhere in between, and understanding how different approaches can impact the quality of the entire project.
A literature review is not written to reveal how much content you've read. It's written to demonstrate your understanding of the literature that is relevant to the topic of your choice and how you project fits in. IGNOU assessors scrutinize this chapter due to your ability to connect ideas with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before writing anything, is important to understand why this particular chapter is required in an ignou MCOM project. Literature review serves three principal purposes.
It first shows that the topic you selected has been previously studied and has relevance to academic research. In addition, it allows you to discern gaps or deficiencies in earlier studies. Thirdly it helps you establish an outline of your research goals and the methodology.
Most students view this section as a formality, and take content from other assignments or web-based sources. This approach usually results in low marks or project rejection. IGNOU does not require original writing when discussing the results of existing studies.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU doesn't expect students to write at the level of the PhD thesis. However, very basic explanations are also not recommended. When a ignou mcom project is being developed, the review of literature will reflect understanding that is postgraduate.
You're expected to study research papers, books journals, reports, and sometimes government publications related to the subject you are researching. The attention should be focused on studies that directly connect with the area of your study.
If, for instance, your task is to study the financial performance of banks the literature review should be focused on previous studies dealing with financial ratios efficiency of banks, profitability analyses and risk assessment.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
One of the most common mistakes students make is combining too many irrelevant sources. It's more about quality than quantity. For an ignou project roughly fifteen to twenty strong sources are usually enough in the event that they are carefully selected.
Good sources include academic journals highly regarded books by well-known writers, RBI documents, Government reports and even university research papers. Websites with ambiguous authorship should be avoided.
Always opt for recent studies especially those from the past ten years. More recent studies can be added only if they're foundational in manner.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well organized chapter improves reading comprehension and creates a positive impression. Instead of writing brief summaries on the fly, separate the literature review into sensible sections.
You could organize the chapter around themes, a time period method, variables, or methodologies researched. For instance, one section may focus on research studies related to the profitability of a business, while another section may concentrate on liquidity and the third one on operational efficiency.
This structure aids evaluators in understanding that you're more than just taking content and copying it, but also analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style should be simple and academic. Avoid overly complicated language and terminology. IGNOU MCOM project report [kinoshare.at.ua] is a firm believer in simplicity over clarity.
Each study you present should include the name of its author, the year of study, the purpose, method, and the main findings. It is not necessary to list them chronologically. It is best to connect one study with a different one.
For instance, when discussing your findings from one study, discuss how a different author's findings supported or refuted these findings. This comparative approach adds depth to your ignou MCOM project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
An error that is often made is to write the literature review like the textbook chapter. Simply explaining concepts such as definition of accounting or the significance of management isn't appropriate in this section unless it is directly connected in previous studies.
Another error is overquoting. Your literature review should be written by you in one's own terms. Reading from the source shows understanding, and copying implies dependence.
Students are also prone to not linking the literature to their research issue. Any study you discuss must be in line with your project objectives.
Affiliation Literature Review with Research Gap
One of most important outcomes of a review of literature is identifying the gap in research. IGNOU evaluations expect you to explain what the previous researchers missed or indicate where additional research is required.
After looking over several studies, it's possible that research was focused on large companies in contrast to small businesses being ignored. Additionally, previous studies utilized secondary data but primary information was not as extensive.
This gap can be the motivation for your IGNOU mcom project. Without it, your work will appear to be repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
While writing a review for literature It is vital to have a correct citation. IGNOU generally accepts APA style, but being consistent is more important than achieving perfection.
Each study that is discussed should be included in the reference list at the conclusion of the project. Any missing references cast doubt on the authenticity.
Avoid footnotes during a literature review. In text citation works better and looks more professional in an ignou MCOM project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often inquire about how long an essay on literature should be. There's no rule of thumb but for an mcom project, this chapter typically ranges from fifteen hundred up to two thousand words.
The length of the discussion should be based on the level of complexity of the topic. A more broad subject requires additional research while a focused topic needs fewer but deeper discussions.
Reviewing unnecessarily long without analysis will not help improve marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing this way,
Author A studied the bank's performance, and found positive results
Write this way
Write as this: Author A conducted a study of bank performance with financial ratios. He concluded that profitability improved due to improved asset management. This conclusion was later affirmed by Author B who pointed out the role played by operational efficiency in improving returns to banks.
This method is based on understanding and analysis, which is highly valued in an mcom project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU is a firm believer in plagiarism. Many projects are delayed or rejected due to the use of copied literature reviews. Even if your reference is to prior studies, the language has to be distinctly yours.
Utilize plagiarism checking software if possible. If you are able, modify your content to make it sound natural. A sentence that is slightly flawed will be more appealing than perfect copying.
Final Review Before Submission
Before you submit your ignou research, read through the review carefully. Make sure that each study is relevant, whether the flow is logical and if the chapter naturally leads to your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter help explain what my study needs to be done. If yes, this review of literature is definitely on the right track.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a literature review for an ignou-mcom project isn't easy at first in particular for students who are returning to school after a break. But once you understand that it's about analysis and connection rather than memorization of information, the task can be accomplished.
Be sure to read, think, and write in your unique voice. That effort reflects clearly in your final product and often marks the difference between an average submission and a strong one.