For many students who are enrolled in IGNOU reviews of literature can be the most complicated portion of their work. This is especially the case for those working on the ignou mcom course, in which academic depth is expected, however guidance often feels limited. Students usually ask if should write down their book chapters, modify journal articles, or simply collect quotations. The reality lies somewhere in between, and understanding that a distinction could alter the overall quality of the project.
A review of literature is not a report of how much material you have read. It is written to show how well you comprehend the current work in relation to the topic of your choice and how you project fits within it. IGNOU reviewers are attentive to this chapter due to your ability to link theories with research direction.
Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature
Before you write anything, it is essential to know why this chapter exists in an ignou mcom project. Literature reviews serve three major purposes.
It first shows that the subject you have chosen was studied before and has a scholarly significance. Second, it helps you identify gaps or limitations in earlier studies. Thirdly it helps you establish the basis for your research objectives and your methodology.
Students often view this chapter as a formality and copy content from previous projects or even from online sources. This is a common practice that results in poor marks or even project rejection. IGNOU demands original writing even when examining existing studies.
What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review
IGNOU MCOM Project Writing doesn’t expect students to write at the level of the PhD thesis. Additionally extremely basic explanations are also not recommended. If you are working on an ignou-mcom project the literature review must reflect the postgraduate understanding.
You are expected to review books, research papers Journals, reports, or even publications from the government that relate in your research topic. The main focus should be on those studies relevant to your research topic.
If, for instance, your project is on financial performance of banks If so, your literature analysis should focus on prior research concerning financial ratios banking performance, profitability analysis 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. For an ignou project anywhere between fifteen and twenty strong sources are usually enough as long as they’re carefully chosen.
Good sources include academic journals, reputed books by known author, RBI documents, Government reports as well as university research papers. Websites that lack clarity on the author should be avoided.
Always prefer recent studies that are from the last ten years. The older studies may be included only if they are foundational in manner.
Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter
A well-organized chapter enhances readership and impression. Instead of composing random summaries, you can divide all the reviews of books into clear sections.
It is possible to organize the chapter around themes, a time period methodologies, or the variables which are being studied. For example, one section may examine studies that pertain to profitability, whereas a different section could focus on liquidity, and a third focus on efficiency in operations.
This structure makes it easier for evaluators to see that you’re not simply copying content. You are actually studying it.
Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review
The style of writing is academic, but simple. Avoid using a lot of words and terminology. IGNOU prefers simplicity over clarity.
Every study you review should include the author’s name, year of study, objective, methodology, as well as major findings. However, do not list the findings in a way that is purely mechanical. Try connecting one study with a different one.
In the case of discussing the findings of one study, you could refer to how an author’s findings were supported or opposed those findings. This approach of comparing studies adds depth to your ignou mcom project.
Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes
One frequent error is writing the literature review as the kind of chapter in a textbook. Explaining basic concepts such as understanding of accounting’s definition or of management is not a good idea here unless directly linked to earlier studies.
Another mistake is to use too many quotes. Your review of literature should be written in an individual way. This shows your understanding. using copying can show dependency.
Students also forget to link literature with their own research field. Every study you write about should be in line with the objectives of your project.
The Linkage Literature Review with Research Gap
One of most important results of a review of literature is identifying the research gap. IGNOU evaluators expect you to identify what earlier researchers didn’t know or where more research is needed.
After examining a variety of studies, you’ll find that a lot of studies centered on large organizations and small businesses were not considered. Some studies have used secondary data but primary data was not enough.
This is why it’s the main reason for your project in the ignou mcom. Without this, your project could appear to be repetitive.
Use of Citations and Referencing
When writing the review of literature It is vital to have a correct citation. IGNOU generally recognizes APA style, but coherence is more important than perfection.
All studies discussed must be included in the list of references at the end of the study. Any missing references cast doubt on the authenticity.
Avoid footnotes for literature review. Citation in text is more effective and looks cleaner in an ignou MCOM project.
Length of Review of Literature Chapter
Students often inquire about how long their literature reviews should run. There’s no rule of thumb in the case of an ignou mcom project, this chapter usually ranges between fifteen hundred up to two thousand words.
The length should depend on your topic’s complexity. A topic that is more extensive requires more study, while a narrowly focused subject requires less but more in-depth discussions.
Writing excessively long reviews without an analysis won’t help marks.
Example of Literature Review Writing Approach
Instead of writing like this
Author A researched the bank’s performance, and found positive results
Write this in the same way as
Autor A conducted research on bank performance using financial ratios and concluded that profitability improved because of better asset administration. This conclusion was later confirmed by Author B and Author B, who emphasised the importance of operational efficiency when it comes to improving bank profitability.
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 blocked or rejected because of duplicated literature reviews. Although you may refer to previous research, the language you use must reflect the original.
Use plagiarism checking tools as possible. Rewrite content to make it sound natural. A sentence that is slightly flawed is better than copied perfection.
Final Review Before Submission
Before submitting your ignou-mcom research, read through the review of literature carefully. Review each article to determine if it is relevant, whether you can follow the logic of the review, and whether it is linked naturally to your research goals.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter give a rationale for why my research is necessary. If the answer is yes then this review of literature is definitely on the right path.
Closing Thoughts
Writing a literature review as part of an ignou master’s thesis is not easy at first particularly for students returning to school after a break. But once you know that it’s an analysis and connection, rather that memorization, the work is manageable.
Do your best to read, think and write in your own voice. It is reflected clearly in your final product and can make the difference between one that is average and a powerful one.