For many students in IGNOU it is the reviewing of studies can be the most challenging component of their project. This is especially the case for those working on the ignou mcom course, where academic rigor is expected, but the guidance feels a bit limited. Students are often asked if they must write summaries of books, rewrite journal articles, or simply gather quotations. The reality is somewhere between, and knowing that a difference could affect the overall quality of the project.
A review of literature is not intended to demonstrate the amount of material you’ve read. It is written to show your understanding of the works that are currently being done on the subject you are researching and how your work fits in. IGNOU evaluaters pay close attention to this chapter since it showcases your ability to link theories with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before composing anything, it is essential to know why this chapter is essential to an ignou MCOM project. Literature review serves three principal purposes.
It first shows that the topic you selected has been previously studied and has a scholarly significance. Additionally, it can help you discover gaps or issues in earlier research. The third is that it creates an outline of your studies’ goals and research methodology.
Students often view this chapter as a formality and copy content from previous projects or even from online sources. This practice usually leads to low marks or project rejection. IGNOU will require original content even when presenting existing work.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not expect students to write at the level of an PhD thesis. The same time the use of very basic explanations is as well discouraged. For an ignou mcom project, the review of literature should reflect postgraduate level understanding.
You will be required to read books, research papers, journals, reports, and, sometimes, government publications relevant to the subject you are researching. The main focus should be on those studies which directly relate to the area of your study.
For example, if you research is focused on the financial performance of banks, then your literature review should be focused on previous studies on financial ratios, banking performance, profitability analysis, and risk assessment.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
One of the most common mistakes students make is deciding to use too many disparate sources. It is the quality that matters more than the quantity. For an ignou mcom project about fifteen to twenty good sources can be found should they be selected carefully.
Excellent sources include academic journals as well as reputable books by renowned names, RBI books, public reports and university level research papers. Websites that do not have clear authorship requirements should be avoided.
Always go for the most recent research and ideally, from the last ten years. Other studies from the past may be considered only if they’re foundational in the nature.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter can improve quality of reading and impression. Instead of writing unstructured summaries, split your literature reviews into logical sections.
You could organize the chapter by themes, time period as well as the methodology or variables examined. For instance, one section may cover studies related profitability, whereas a different section could focus on liquidity and another is focused on operating efficiency.
This structure can help evaluators realize that you’re more than just copying content, you are actually analysing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style should be simple and academic. Avoid a heavy use of language or unnecessary terms. IGNOU values clarity over complexity.
Each research study you write about should include the author’s name, year of study, goals, methodology, as well as major findings. However, you shouldn’t list them mechanically. It is best to connect one study with another.
If you’re discussing one study, you may discuss how a different author’s findings supported or opposed those findings. The comparative approach adds more richness to your ignou project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
A common error is writing the literature review like a textbook chapter. Basic concepts such as the definition of accounting or the meaning of management doesn’t belong in this article unless they are directly linked to studies that have been done previously.
Another issue is the overuse of quoting. Your review of literature should be written in the style of your personal words. A phrasing style shows understanding, whereas writing in a copy shows dependency.
Students are also prone to not linking sources to their own research field. Every study you write about should be clearly linked to your objectives for your project.
Connecting Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the key outcomes of reviewing the literature is to identify the research gap. IGNOU reviewers expect you to show what earlier researchers missed or where further study is required.
After discussing multiple studies, you’ll realize that most research focused on large organizations and small businesses were not considered. Some studies have used secondary data, however primary data was scarce.
This gap becomes the justification for your Ingou MCOM project. Without it, your project will appear to be repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When writing a review of literature An accurate citation is imperative. IGNOU generally supports APA style, however consistency matters more than perfection.
Each study covered must appear in the reference list at the conclusion of the project. Any missing references cast doubt on the authenticity.
Do not use footnotes for literature reviews. In text citation works better as it appears cleaner in an ignou MCOM project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often ask how long the literature review should last. There’s not a standard for length but, for an ignou MCOM project this chapter generally runs between fifteen hundred at to two thousand.
The length should be determined by the level of complexity of the topic. A more broad subject requires more research while a narrowly focused subject requires less but more in-depth discussions.
Writing unnecessarily long reviews without analysis is not going to improve your marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing as this
Author A conducted a study of the bank’s performance, and found positive results
Create this type of writing
In the year A, Author B conducted a study about the performance of banks using financial ratios. They concluded that profitability increased because of better asset administration. This conclusion was later validated by Author B, who emphasized the role played by operating efficiency in boosting bank profits.
This type of approach shows understanding and analysis, which can be valued in an mcom project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU MCOM project report (Highly recommended Webpage) takes plagiarism very seriously. Many projects are delayed or rejected due to duplicated literature reviews. If you do refer to earlier studies, the language must be your own.
Make use of plagiarism-checking tools if possible. Then, rewrite the content to make it sound natural. A sentence that is slightly flawed is far better than perfect copied.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting your ignou mcom research, read through the review of literature carefully. You should determine whether the research is relevant, whether the flow is consistent, and whether the chapter leads naturally to your research objectives.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter make clear the reasons why my study is required. If yes this review of literature is definitely on the right track.
Closing Thoughts
Reviewing literature for an ignou project isn’t easy at first, especially for students returning to school after a break. When you understand that it is about analysis and connection rather than memorization, the project is easy to handle.
Read, consider, and write in your own voice. This is reflected on the final piece and often determines the difference between being a weak submission and an average one. high-quality one.
