Many students taking part in IGNOU, the review of literature is often the most difficult section of the work. This is especially true for those who are working on IGNOU's mcom projects, in which academic depth is expected. However, guidance usually can be difficult to find. Students usually ask whether they must summarize books, revise journal articles, or simply gather quotations. The reality lies somewhere in between, and understanding that difference can change the quality of the entire project.

A review of literature is not meant to display how much material you have read. It's written to demonstrate how well you have grasped the existing work related to your subject and how your proposal fits within it. IGNOU evaluations look at this chapter as it shows your ability to link knowledge with research directions.

Understanding the Purpose of Review of Literature

Before you begin writing any article, it is vital to understand the reason this chapter is necessary in an ignou MCOM project. Literature review serves three primary purposes.

First, it demonstrates that the area you've selected has been researched before and has a scientific significance. Thirdly, it assists you find gaps or weaknesses in previous studies. Third, it provides an overview of your research objectives and your methodology.

Most students view this section as a formality, and take content from other projects or from online sources. This typically results in poor marks or even project rejection. IGNOU requires original work even when examining existing studies.

What IGNOU Expects in Literature Review

IGNOU does not expect students to write at the level of the PhD thesis. In the same way extremely basic explanations are also discouraged. When a ignou mcom project is being developed, the review of literature should reflect postgraduate level understanding.

You'll be expected to read research papers, books or reports, journals and occasionally, government publications that relate to your topic. The focus should be on studies related to your area of study.

In this case, for example, if your task is to study the financial performance of banks In your literature review, you should include earlier studies regarding financial ratios efficiency of banks, profitability analyses, and risk evaluation.

Selecting Relevant Literature Sources

One common mistake students make is selecting a lot of unrelated sources. It's more about quality than quantity. For an ignou mcom project approximately fifteen to twenty quality sources are usually sufficient when they're well-chosen.

Good sources include academic journals and reputable books written by well-known the authors RBI documents, Government reports and university level research papers. Websites that are not clear on authorship should be avoided.

Always choose studies that are recent at least from the last 10 years. Older studies can be included but only if it is foundational in way.

Organizing the Review of Literature Chapter

A well-organized and organized chapter enhances comprehension and makes a good impression. Instead of composing random summaries of the work, break down sections of the review in sensible sections.

You can organize the chapter by themes, time period methodologies, or the variables to be studied. For example, one section could focus on studies related profitability, while another could focus on liquidity while the other on operational efficiency.

This structure assists evaluators to understand that you're not simply copying content, you are actually analysing it.

Writing Style for IGNOU Literature Review

The style of writing should be straightforward but academic. Avoid a heavy use of language or unnecessary words. IGNOU is a firm believer in simplicity over clarity.

Every study you review should be listed with the author's name, year of study, objectives, the methodology used, and significant findings. Don't mention them in a formal manner. Try to connect one study with another.

In the case of discussing one study, you could mention how another author supported the results or countered them. This method of comparison adds an additional dimension to your ignou mcom project.

Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes

The most common error is writing the literature review in the form of it is a textbook chapter. The need to explain the fundamental concepts like the definition of accounting and the meaning of management are not needed in this section unless it is directly connected to earlier studies.

Another error is quoting too much. Your review of literature should be written in individual words. It is a sign of understanding that you are paraphrasing, while using copying can show dependency.

They also fail to link publications to their personal research issue. Every study you mention should have a clear connection with your research objectives.

Interlinking Literature Review with Research Gap

One of the most significant result of reviewing literature is to identify the research gap. IGNOU assessment committees expect you be able to demonstrate what prior researchers missed or the areas where more study is required.

In a discussion of multiple studies it's possible that research was focused on large companies while smaller companies were absent. The earlier studies also used secondary data, while primary data was not enough.

This void is the reason for your Ingou MCOM project. Without it, your work will appear repetitive.

Use of Citations and Referencing

When you write a review of literature it is important to use a proper citation. IGNOU generally follows 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. Missing references create doubts about authenticity.

Do not use footnotes for literature reviews. In text citations work better and looks cleaner in an ignou mcom project.

Length of Review of Literature Chapter

Students often ask how long the review of literature must run. There's no definitive rule and for an IGNOU Project Report for MCOM MCOM project, the chapter usually ranges between fifteen hundred at to two thousand.

The length of the discussion should be based on topic complexity. A more broad subject requires the most research, whereas a targeted topic requires fewer, but deeper discussions.

Writing unnecessarily long reviews without analysis does not improve marks.

Example of Literature Review Writing Approach

Instead of writing this way,
Author A studied banking's performance and obtained good results

Write in this manner
Author A conducted research on bank performance using financial ratios. They concluded that profitability improved due to improved asset management. The findings were later confirmed by Author B who pointed out the role of the efficiency of operations in enhancing returns to banks.

This method is based on 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 are stopped or rejected because of duplicated literature reviews. If you do refer to past studies, your language is yours.

Check for plagiarism using tools if possible. Rewrite content until it sounds natural. A sentence that is slightly flawed can be better than perfect copied.

Final Review Before Submission

Before submitting an ignou mcom assignment, you should read the literature review thoroughly. Find out if the study you are reviewing is relevant, whether the flow is logical, and whether the chapter naturally leads to your research goals.

Ask yourself one simple question. Does this article explain what my study needs to be done. If yes, then your literature review is on the right path.

Closing Thoughts

Writing a review of literature for an ignou-mcom project might be difficult at first especially for those who return to college after a long absence. If you can realize that it is all about connection and analysis rather than memorization, the task becomes easy.

You should take the time to read, think and write in your own voice. This dedication is clearly reflected in the final project and often can be the difference in the average submission and a solid one.