For many students who are enrolled in IGNOU studying literature can be the most complicated aspect of their project. This is especially the case for those who are working on an ignou project for mcom, in which academic depth is expected, however guidance often seems to be a little sluggish. Students generally ask whether they need to summarize books, refret journal articles or simply gather quotations. The reality is somewhere between, and understanding how different approaches can impact the overall quality of the project.
A literature review is not meant to display how much material you have read. It is written to show that you are knowledgeable about the available research on your field and how your project fits within it. IGNOU MCOM project topics evaluaters pay close attention to this chapter as it shows your ability to link ideas with research direction.
Before you begin writing any article, it is important to understand why this chapter is necessary in an ignou MCOM project. The review of literature serves three main purposes.
It first shows that the subject you picked already has been explored and is of academic importance. It also helps you determine the gaps or shortcomings in previous studies. It also provides an overview of your research objectives and methodology.
A majority of students view this chapter as a formality and copy content from their previous projects or from online sources. The result is usually negative marks or project rejection. IGNOU is seeking original and unique writing even when discussing the results of existing studies.
IGNOU doesn't expect students to write on the scale of an PhD thesis. The same time explaining in the simplest way is being discouraged. In the case of an ignou mcom assignment, the review of literature should reflect a postgraduate level of understanding.
You are expected to review books, research papers journals, reports, and, sometimes, government publications relevant to your area of study. The focus should be on studies that directly connect with your research area.
As an example, if the research is focused on the financial performance of banks If so, your literature analysis will focus on prior studies in relation to financial ratios bank performance, profitability analysis and risk assessment.
One common mistake students make is choosing too many different sources. It's more about quality than quantity. For an ignou-mcom project anywhere between fifteen and twenty sturdy sources is usually sufficient when they're well-chosen.
Some good sources are academic journals well-known books written by renowned writer, RBI publications, government reports, and university research papers. Websites that have unclear authorship should be avoided.
Always opt for recent studies which are typically from the last 10 years. The older studies may be included in the event that they are fundamental in way.
A well-organized chapter will improve perception and readability. Instead of composing short summaries that are not organized, divide all the reviews of books into logical sections.
The chapter can be organized around themes, a time period research methodology, or other variables examined. For instance, one chapter may examine studies that pertain to the profitability of a business, while another section may concentrate on liquidity and another on operational efficiency.
This format helps evaluaters understand that you're not taking content and copying it, but also analyzing it.
The style of writing must be formal but not abrasive. Avoid a heavy use of language or unnecessary terms. IGNOU insists on simplicity over clarity.
Every study you review should be listed with the author's name, year of study, objective, methodology, as well as the major findings. It is not necessary to list the findings in a way that is purely mechanical. Do your best to link one study with the other.
For instance, when discussing the findings of one study, you could mention how another author supported or opposed those findings. This method of comparison adds depth to your ignou mcom project.
A common mistake is to write the literature review in the form of the kind of chapter in a textbook. In explaining the basics of concepts like the definition of accounting or the meaning of management is not a good idea here unless directly linked in previous studies.
Another mistake is excessive quoting. Your review of literature should be written in one's own terms. It is a sign of understanding that you are paraphrasing, while copying implies dependence.
Students should also make sure to link study findings to their own study. Every study you mention should have a clear link to the objectives of your project.
One of the major results of a review of literature is to identify the research gap. IGNOU reviewers expect you to show what earlier researchers missed or the areas in which further research is required.
In the course of discussing several studies you'll find that a lot of studies focus on large organisations but small companies were overlooked. Some studies have used secondary data, while primary data was not enough.
This is why it's the main reason for your projects ignou.com. Without it, the project might seem repetitive.
In writing a review of literature, proper citation is essential. IGNOU generally recognizes APA style, but quality is more important than consistency.
Each study must be mentioned in the reference list at the end of the study. Missing references create doubts about authenticity.
Avoid footnotes on literature reviews. The in-text citation is better and is cleaner when used in an ignou mcom project.
Students frequently ask what the length of the literature review should be. There's no definitive rule that can be followed, however for an mcom project, this chapter usually spans from fifteen cents to two thousand words.
The length should depend on how complex the topic is. The more expansive topic requires additional research while a focused topic needs fewer but more in-depth discussions.
A review that is too long and without analysis does not improve marks.
Instead of writing this way,
Author A has studied bank performance and came across positive results
Write in this manner
Autor A conducted a study on the performance of banks by using financial ratios. He concluded that profitability increased because of better asset administration. This conclusion was later affirmed by Author B who also emphasized the role played by operational efficiency when it comes to improving bank returns.
This approach displays an understanding and analysis that is valued in an ignou mcom project.
IGNOU is a firm believer in plagiarism. Many projects are blocked or rejected because of copy-pasted literature reviews. Even if you cite previously published studies, the style must be your own.
Check for plagiarism using tools if you can and then rewrite the content until it sounds natural. A sentence that is slightly imperfect is more effective than perfect copying.
Before submitting an ignou mcom research, read through the literature review thoroughly. Review each article to determine if it is relevant, if the flow is consistent and whether your chapter will naturally lead to your research objectives.
Ask yourself one simple question. Does this chapter provide a reason the reason for why I need to study it. If the answer is yes your review on literature will be in the best path.
Writing a literature review to be used in an ignou mcom assignment may be daunting at first especially for students returning to academics following a gap. But once you recognize that it is more about connecting and analysis than memorizing information, the task is a lot easier.
Do your best to read, consider, and write in your unique voice. This is reflected in the final work. It often is the difference between one that is average and a impressive one.