How to Write the Review of Literature of an IGNOU MCOM Project For the majority of IGNOU MCOM students, the Review of Literature appears to be the most confusing section of the curriculum. You've read a variety of journals, books and articles and even online publications, but when it comes to writing the review, it seems scattered. Some students write insufficiently, others write too much while others simply modify the abstracts from the research papers they discover. However, The Review of Literature isn't a random compilation of summaries. It's a systematic explanation of the research that other scholars have done in your field and the patterns that their results demonstrate and how your work can be integrated into existing knowledge. In simple words it is a response to the question: "What have others said about my topic, and what does it mean for my own research?" The IGNOU assessment uses this portion to determine if you've studied enough background information as well as thoroughly comprehended the subject and identified the gap your research is attempting to fill. A strong literature review builds credibility and demonstrates academic discipline. A weak one makes the whole thing appear sloppy. This guide will help you write a clear, organized and informative Review of Literature in the Prasoon style, which is smooth, precise and grounded. 1. Understand the Purpose of the Literature Review Before writing, you must know what you think a literature analysis is required. A lot of students think that it's just a list of previous studies, but its importance is far more extensive. Your literature review must: Display what's been researched The most common findings should be highlighted. Draw attention to differences in prior research Identify the issue Establish the relevance of your research Set the foundations for your goal and method of operation If this paragraph is well-written and clear, the reader will believe your understanding and direction. 2. Start With a Clear Opening Paragraph The opening paragraph should describe what you are reviewing. It should introduce the theme without getting too detailed. For instance: "This section provides a brief overview of previous studies that have been conducted with regard to digital banking satisfaction of customers and the quality of services. The aim is to analyze the most important findings, spot areas of concern and determine what the academic background is behind the present study." The brief introduction explains to the person who is evaluating what to expect. Beware of long tales, excessive theories, or overly generalized statements in the beginning. 3. Select Relevant and Authentic Sources IGNOU is expecting it to expect your Review of Literature to be grounded in reliable research. This means that you have to include sources like: Research papers Academic journals The books of renowned authors Government or institutional reports Online publications that are authentic Avoid blogs, random websites or opinions-based content unless they provide factual data. It is recommended to aim for at the very minimum: 8-12 studies that are well-explained to provide a solid Literature review (MCOM assignments generally require more work than BCOM (or other college projects.) 4. Summarise Each Study in Your Own Words Every study you write about is required to have a concise summary -- usually 4 to 6 lines. The summary should provide: Author(s) Year Topic Method used The key findings Here's a practical example: "Kumar Reddy and Reddy (2019) assessed customer preferences regarding mobile banking across Bengaluru. By analyzing a sample size of 150 participants, they found that speed, convenience, and security significantly affected satisfaction levels. The study found that consumers would prefer platforms with seamless navigation and reliable service." This is the kind of summary that looks clean and academically sound. Avoid: Copy-pasting sentences Stuffing quotes It is not necessary to add unnecessary detail Your job is to capture the essence of the research. 5. Arrange the Studies in a Systematic Order Your literature review becomes more insightful when the research are organized in a systematic manner. They can be organised in various ways. an) Chronologically (by year) This shows how the research has changed over time. B) Thematically (based on themes/topics) Example: Research studies on customer satisfaction Studies on service quality Research on the latest trends in digital banking Research on public vs private sector banks This is the most favored style for IGNOU projects. c) Method-wise Group studies based off interviews, surveys or analytic methods. Select the style that fits your subject best. Thematic arrangement usually creates the most fluid flow. 6. Maintain a Clear and Consistent Writing Pattern Every paper must be written according to a similar format to prevent confusion. A clean structure: Author & year Research objectives Method used Key discoveries Relevance to your study (optional but useful) The standard format keeps your review of literature clean and easy to read. 7. Compare the Findings of Earlier Studies After completing 8-12 studies, make sure you add a paragraph that ties them all together. This is referred to the"synthesis"--the most powerful part of your analysis. For example: "Across the study reviewed the customer satisfaction was consistently found as a function of ease of use, speed and reliability. Numerous authors highlighted the importance of secure transactions as well as speedy service. While many studies have compared banks in the private and public sector the research was not as focused upon the characteristics of digital transactions that differ between consumers in smaller cities. https://ignouprojectmcom.shop/ is the basis of the current study." This paragraph shows: You have a good understanding of the earlier research The similarities are obvious. You recognised the gaps In fact, this is precisely the kind of thing IGNOU evaluators expect. 8. Highlight the Gap Clearly Your literature review must lead to the research gap. A gap isn't an exciting discovery, it is just something that earlier studies didn't address in a complete way. Research gaps in the form of Lack of studies in your region There is no comparison between the two segments Insufficient focus on one particular aspect The absence of any data recent Few studies using your chosen variables A simple gap statement: "Most studies concentrated on metropolitan regions, while research on the response of banks to digital technology in emerging cities is still a bit lacking. The present study attempts to fill this gap." A gap in your understanding strengthens your goal and the rationale behind it. 9. Link the Literature to Your Own Study At the conclusion of the review, write a short paragraph in which you connect what you've learned from your earlier research to the goals to be achieved by your MCOM project. Example: "The previous studies offer the foundation needed to understand how customers behave in the online banking world. But, there is still scope to study how consumers in Tier II cities react to the rapidly changing digital world. This connection forms the basis of the current research." This link will show that your project is not random--it is built on scientific research. 10. End With a Simple, Meaningful Conclusion End your review of literature with a short paragraph summarising the entire understanding. Example: "The review shows a consensus on the significance of convenience, security and quick service to shape the customer experience. While some authors concentrated on general patterns of behavior more in-depth studies of smaller cities are scarce. The present study builds on this base and seeks to fill the gaps that are becoming apparent." The finalization gives the section clear and tidy finish. Tips to Strengthen Your Literature Review Use simple, clean language Don't use ornamental words. Make sure that your writing is clean and clear. Avoid long paragraphs Break studies into small readable pieces. Do not include outdated sources. Try to make use of studies from the past 8-12 years, unless a classic reference is necessary. Maintain a tone that is neutral Do not share personal opinions on this page. Your literature should be in harmony with the other chapters of your book. Your goals, your methodology and conclusions must be in line with the studies you have reviewed. Final Thoughts Review of Literature: A Review of Literature is not just about proving that one has had read a lot of papers. It's about demonstrating understanding, organization, and a sense of. When written with a clear and purposeful approach, this section elevates the overall quality of your IGNOU MCOM Project.