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How to Write the Review of Literature of an IGNOU MCOM Project
For the majority of IGNOU MCOM students, the Review of Literature is often the most confusing section of the course. The students read various books, articles, as well as online publications. However, when it comes time to write the chapter, everything is scattered. Some students are not able to write enough and others write too much while others simply alter the abstracts in the research papers they read.
But what is the Review of Literature isn't a randomly compiled summary. MCOM IGNOU solved project 's a systematic explanation of what other scholars have already investigated in your field and the patterns that their results indicate and how your study can be integrated into existing knowledge. In simple terms it can answer the question:
"What have others said about my topic, and what does it mean for my own research?"
The IGNOU examiner will use this section to assess whether you've explored enough background material thoroughly, comprehended the topic and identified the void your study is trying to close. A well-written literature review gives you credibility and shows academic discipline. If it is not done well, it makes the entire task appear naive.
This guide will assist you to compose a well-organized, clear and informative Review of Literature in the Prasoon style. It is straight, smooth and rooted.
1. Understand the Purpose of the Literature Review
Before writing, be aware of the reasons your literature reviews are required. A lot of students think that it's simply a listing of prior studies, but its function has a much greater significance.
Your literature review must:
Have a look at what's been examined
Highlight common findings
Highlight differences in previous research
Identify what is missing
Define the significance of your study
Set the foundations for your objectives and methodology
If the content is properly written the examiner will be able to trust your understanding and direction.
2. Start With a Clear Opening Paragraph
Your first paragraph should explain the subject matter of your review. It should explain the concept without dipping into specifics.
For example:
"This section presents an overview of earlier studies conducted on digital banking, customer satisfaction, and quality of service. The purpose of this section is to evaluate the major findings, highlight the gaps, and gain an understanding of why the study is academically based. present study."
This short introduction will tell an evaluator precisely what he should expect.
Do not read long stories, a lot of theories or general statements at the beginning.
3. Select Relevant and Authentic Sources
IGNOU requires it to expect your Review of Literature to be based on credible research. It is a requirement that you include sources like:
Research papers
Academic journals
Books by well-known authors
Reports of the Government or institutions
Genuine online publications
Avoid blogs, random websites or opinion-based content unless they provide factual data.
Try to achieve at least:
8-12 well-explained, well-written studies to provide a solid research review
(MCOM projects generally require more work than BCOM or any other project for students.)
4. Summarise Each Study in Your Own Words
Every study you write about is required to have a concise summary -- usually about 4-6 lines. The summary should provide:
Author(s)
Year
Topic
Method employed
Key results
Here's a real-world example:
"Kumar Reddy and Reddy (2019) analysed the preferences of customers in mobile banking across Bengaluru. Through a study of 150 customers, they concluded that speed, convenience, and security significantly affected satisfaction levels. The study revealed that users liked platforms that had smooth navigation and reliable customer support."
This is a summary that is clear and academically sound.
Avoid:
Copy-pasting sentences
Stuffing quotes
The addition of unnecessary details
Your mission is to capture the essence of the research.
5. Arrange the Studies in a Systematic Order
Your literature review is more insightful when the research follow a clear pattern. It is possible to arrange them in different ways:
is a) Chronologically (by year)
This illustrates how the research has evolved over time.
B) Thematically (based on topics or themes)
Example:
Research studies on customer satisfaction
Studies on service quality
Study on trends in digital banking
The study compares public and private sector banks
This is the most favored design for IGNOU projects.
c) Method-wise
Group studies that are based on interviews, surveys or other analytical methods.
Choose the design that matches your subject the best. Thematic arrangements typically create the most flow.
6. Maintain a Clear and Consistent Writing Pattern
Every research must be written in an identical format in order to prevent confusion.
A neat structure:
Author & year
Research objective
Method used
Key research
Relevance to your studies (optional but highly beneficial)
This format is standard and keeps your review of literature clean and easy to read.
7. Compare the Findings of Earlier Studies
After you have summarized 8-12 studies include a paragraph to bring the studies together. This is referred to as the synopsis--the most significant component of your study.
For instance:
"Across the reviewed studies Customer satisfaction was found to be consistent in relation to convenience rapidity, speed and reliability. Several authors emphasised that it is crucial to have secure transactions and speedy service. Although many studies compared public and private sector banks the research was not as focused on the different digital habits of customers from smaller cities. This gap forms the base for the present study."
This paragraph shows:
You were aware of the research earlier
You've noticed the similarities
You were able to see the gaps
The exact opposite is what IGNOU examiners want to see.
8. Highlight the Gap Clearly
Your literature review must lead to the gap in your research. The gap isn't an alarming discovery. It is simply something that earlier studies were not able to fully address.
Examples of research gaps:
No studies are conducted in your area
Lack of comparison between two segments
Unfocused attention on a specific factor
No recent data
Few studies using your chosen variables
A simple gap statement:
"Most studies focused on metropolitan regions, however research on responses to digital banking in emerging cities is lacking. This study aims to fill in this gap."
Unmistakable gaps strengthen your mission and reasoning.
9. Link the Literature to Your Own Study
Towards the end of the review, write a paragraph which connects the information you've gathered from earlier research to the goals to be achieved by your MCOM project.
Example:
"The previous studies offer the foundation needed to understand customer behavior in the digital banking space. But, there is still scope to investigate how customers in Tier-II cities interact with the changing digital environment. This connection forms the basis of the present research."
This page demonstrates that your project isn't random; it's basing itself on research evidence.
10. End With a Simple, Meaningful Conclusion
Complete your literature review by writing brief paragraphs that summarize the overview.
Example:
"The review shows consistent agreement on the significance of convenience, security and speedy service in shaping the level of satisfaction among customers. While some authors focus upon broad behavioural patterns while in smaller cities are scarce. The current study builds upon this foundation and attempts to close the gaps."
This concludes the section smooth and clean end.
Tips to Strengthen Your Literature Review
Use simple, clean language
Don't use ornamental words. Keep your writing clean.
Avoid long paragraphs
Split studies into small, readable chunks.
Do not include outdated sources.
Make sure to reference studies from the past 8-12 years, unless some classic references are required.
Be sure to keep your tone neutral
Avoid personal opinions in this section.
Your literature should be in harmony with the other chapters of your book.
Your research objectives, methods and findings must correspond to studies you've analyzed.
Final Thoughts
The process of writing a Review of Literature is not just about proving that one has went through a number of books. It's about showing understanding, organization, and a sense of. If done with a clear mind and a clear purpose this section can raise the level of the whole IGNOU MCOM Project.