There are many students who enroll in IGNOU, the review of studies can be the most challenging part of the project work. This is especially the case for students working on an ignou MCOM project where academic rigor is expected, yet guidance frequently isn’t available. Students usually ask if are required to summarize books or rewrite journal articles, or simply collect quotes. The truth lies somewhere between, and understanding that different perspectives can impact the quality of the entire project.
Literature reviews are not written to reveal how much of the literature you’ve read. It’s written to demonstrate how much you comprehend existing work related to your area of study and how your project fits in. IGNOU examiners examine this chapter, as it illustrates your ability to link theories with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before writing anything, is crucial to comprehend why this section is part of an ignou mcom project. The review of literature serves three main purposes.
In the first place, it indicates that the subject you chose has been previously studied and has relevance to academic research. Second, it helps you discover gaps or issues in earlier research. The third is that it creates the basis for your research objectives and methodology.
Most students view this section as a formality, and duplicate content from previous assignments or web-based sources. This usually leads to poor marks or even project rejection. IGNOU does not require original writing when discussing studies that are already in progress.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU MCOM Project Guide does not expect students to write on the scale of a PhD thesis. At the same time explaining in the simplest way is too much to be avoided. For an ignou master’s degree project, the review of literature should reflect postgraduate level understanding.
You’ll be expected to read books, research papers journals, reports, and even government publications pertaining in your research topic. The focus should be on studies which directly relate to your research field.
In this case, for example, if your research is focused on the financial performance of banks Your literature review should examine earlier research on financial ratios, profitability analysis, banking performance and risk assessment.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
The most frequent mistake that students make is combining too many irrelevant sources. Quality is more important than quantity. When it comes to an ignou mcom project in the range of 15 to 20 high-quality sources are often enough in the event that they are carefully selected.
A good source is academic journals and reputable books written by well-known writers, RBI publications, government reports, as well as university research papers. Websites that don’t have a clear authorship must be avoided.
It is always best to choose recent studies that are from the last 10 years. It is possible to include older studies only if they’re foundational in way.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized and organized chapter enhances quality of reading and impression. Instead of writing random summaries of the work, break down the literature review into sensible sections.
You may organize the chapter depending on the theme, the time period and methodology or even variables which are being studied. For instance, one chapter could focus on studies related the financial performance, while another may focus on liquidity, and yet another is focused on operating efficiency.
This structure can help evaluators realize that you’re not simply copying content, but rather analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style should be straightforward but academic. Avoid excessive language and words. IGNOU prefers simplicity over clarity.
Each study you discuss should include the name of the author, year of study, purpose, method, and principal findings. However, you shouldn’t list them in a linear manner. Try connecting one study to another.
In the case of discussing some study, you can highlight how another author’s study supported the results or countered them. This sort of comparative approach will add greater depth to your project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
A common error is to compose the literature review as the textbook chapter. The need to explain the fundamental concepts like understanding of accounting’s definition or of management should not be included here unless directly linked to prior studies.
Another error is over-quoting. Your literature review should be written by you in an individual way. Writing in a paraphrase shows comprehension, whereas the copying of your review shows dependency.
Students also forget to link sources to their own research study. Every study you mention should be clearly linked to your goals for the project.
Interlinking Literature Review with Research Gap
The most important results of a review of literature is identifying the gap in research. IGNOU evaluations expect you to demonstrate what researchers in the past did not realize and where further research is required.
In the course of discussing several studies it is possible to observe that the majority research focused on large firms but small companies were absent. The earlier studies also used secondary data, but the primary data were not sufficient.
This void is the reason for your project ignou mcom. Without it, your project could appear repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When writing the review of literature The proper citation of the source is essential. IGNOU generally recognizes APA style, but quality is more important than consistency.
Each study covered must appear in the list of references at the end of the study. References that are not included raise doubts about authenticity.
Avoid footnotes when reviewing literature. Citations in text work better and appears better in an ignou mcom project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often inquire about how long the writing review must be. There’s no standard rule but, for an ignou mcom project, this chapter typically runs from fifteen hundred or two thousand words.
The length should depend on your topic’s complexity. A more broad subject requires additional research while a focussed topic requires less but deeper discussions.
The need to write lengthy reviews that do not include any analysis doesn’t increase marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing as this
Author A conducted a study of the performance of the banking industry and came to positive results
Write this in the same way as
An author conducted a study of banking performance using financial ratios. They concluded that profitability improved because of improved asset management. This was later validated by Author B He emphasized the role of operational efficiency in enhancing the bank’s returns.
This type of approach shows the ability to analyze and comprehend, which can be valued in an MCOM project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU takes plagiarism very seriously. Many projects get delayed or rejected due to duplicated literature reviews. However, even if you use previously published studies, the style should be unique to your project.
Use plagiarism detection tools if possible, and modify 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 mcom project, read the review carefully. Be sure to check if each study is relevant, whether it flows in a logical manner, and whether the chapter is logically linked to your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter provide a reason the reasons why my study is required. If the answer is yes then you’re on the correct path.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a review of literature to complete an ignou mcom research project could be daunting at first particularly for students who are returning to university after a gap. When you understand that it’s about analysis and connections rather than memorization of information, the task can be accomplished.
Be sure to read, consider, and write with your own voice. This dedication is clearly reflected on your final product and often is the difference between being a weak submission and an average one. powerful one.