For a majority of students enrolled at IGNOU reviewing literature can be the most confusing part of the assignment. This is especially true for those working on an IGNOU MCOM Project Writing MCOM project where academic depth is expected. However, the direction often appears to be limited. Students typically ask if they must summarize books, refret journal articles or simply gather quotations. The reality lies somewhere in between, and understanding that the difference can impact the quality of the entire project.
A review of literature is NOT written to illustrate the amount of material you’ve read. It’s written to demonstrate how well you understand the previous work that pertains to your field and how your project fits in. IGNOU assessment experts are attuned to the chapter since it demonstrates your ability to link knowledge with research directions.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before completing any work, it is crucial to consider the reasons this chapter is necessary in an ignou MCOM project. Literature review serves three main purposes.
It first shows that the subject you have chosen has been previously studied and has a scholarly significance. Thirdly, it assists you detect gaps or deficiencies in earlier studies. It also provides an outline for your research objectives and methodological.
A majority of students view this chapter as a formality, and copy content from their previous assignments or other online sources. The result is usually very low marks or projects being rejected. IGNOU demands original writing even when discussing existing studies.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU does not expect students to write on the scale of an PhD thesis. On the other hand the use of very basic explanations is as well discouraged. For an ignou MCOM project, the review of literature should reflect postgraduate-level understanding.
The expectation is to look over research papers, books Journals, reports, as well as government publications that are related to your research area. The primary focus should be on research relevant to your research topic.
If, for instance, your research focuses on the financial performance of banks, then your literature review will focus on prior studies about financial ratios the performance of banks, profitability analysis, and risk evaluation.
Selecting Relevant Literature Sources
One common mistake students make is picking too many unrelated sources. Quality matters more than quantity. In the case of an ignou MCOM project, around fifteen to twenty powerful sources are generally enough provided they are selected with care.
The best sources are academic journals that are reputable, well-known books by famous writer, RBI documents, Government reports and even university research papers. Websites with no authorship confirmation should be avoided.
It is always best to choose recent studies at least from the last ten years. The older studies may be included only if they’re foundational in nature.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter enhances perception and readability. Instead of writing brief summaries on the fly, separate the literature review into clear sections.
The chapter could be structured by themes, time period as well as the methodology or variables the authors have studied. For example, one section may focus on research studies related to the financial performance, while another may focus upon liquidity, while another on operational efficiency.
This structure can help evaluators realize that you’re more than just copying content, but rather analyzing it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The writing style should be simple and academic. Avoid a lot of language and vocabulary. IGNOU values clarity over complexity.
The study you are discussing should include the author name, year of study, goals, methodology, as well as important findings. Do not, however, list them mechanically. Do your best to link one study with another.
For instance, when discussing an article, you can write about how a different author’s research supported the results or countered them. This kind of approach can add complexity to your ignou project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
One frequent error is writing the literature review as the kind of chapter in a textbook. The need to explain the fundamental concepts like how accounting works or the meaning of management is not a good idea here unless directly linked to studies that have been done previously.
Another error is over-quoting. Your literature review should be written by you in Your own voice. This shows your understanding. using copying can show dependency.
Many students do not connect literature with their own research area. Every research you present should have a clear connection to the research goals.
Connecting Literature Review with Research Gap
One of the major outcomes of reviewing the literature is identifying the research gap. IGNOU examiners expect you clarify what research earlier researchers did not or where further study is required.
After discussing multiple studies, you will notice that the majority of research focused on large firms smaller firms were left out. Or that earlier studies used secondary data, but the primary data was limited.
This gap can be the motivation for your initiative with ignou MCOM. Without this, your project could appear to be repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When writing the review of literature An accurate citation is imperative. IGNOU generally recognizes APA style, but coherence is more important than perfection.
Each study must be mentioned in the list of references at the end of the study. The absence of references can raise doubts regarding authenticity.
Avoid footnotes on literature reviews. The in-text citation is better and appears more professional in an ignou MCOM project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students frequently ask what the length of the literature review should be. There’s not a standard for length that can be followed, however for an to do an MCOM project the chapter usually spans from fifteen cents at to two thousand.
The length should be determined by topics’ complexity. A topic that is more extensive requires more research while a concentrated topic will require less but more in-depth discussions.
Writing excessively long reviews without the ability to analyze them does not boost marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing this way,
The author analyzed bank performance and came across positive results
Write it like this
Autor A conducted research on bank performance using financial ratios, and concluded that profitability improved by a better management of assets. This conclusion was later affirmed by Author B who also emphasized the importance of operational efficiency in improving returns for banks.
This approach displays the ability to analyze and comprehend, which is valued in an ignou mcom project.
Maintaining Originality and Academic Integrity
IGNOU takes plagiarism seriously. Many projects are refused or delayed because of duplicated literature reviews. Even if your reference is to previous research, the language ought to be uniquely yours.
Make use of plagiarism-checking tools if possible. Rewrite content until it sounds natural. A sentence that is slightly imperfect is better than copied perfection.
Final Review Before Submission
Prior to submitting your ignou mcom project, read the entire literature review. You should determine whether the research is relevant, if the flow of information is clear, and whether the chapters flow naturally to your research objectives.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter help explain the need for my study. If yes, then your research paper is right on track.
Closing Thoughts
Reviewing literature for an ignou MCOM project isn’t easy at first particularly for students returning into academics after a time off. But once you know that it is about analysis and connection rather than memorization of information, the task becomes easier to manage.
Do your best to read, think, and write with your own voice. The result of your efforts will be apparent in the final work. It often determines the difference between one that is average and a outstanding one.