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Deciding on the most appropriate research design and method of data collection is one of the most confusing parts of the IGNOU project. A lot of students begin writing their IGNOU mcom projects without being able to clearly define what research they're actually conducting. Thus, the methodology section seems uninspired, copied, or disconnected from the main topic.

This article is primarily focused on the process of selecting the most appropriate research design and method of data collection when working on IGNOU MCom projects. It will explain concepts in a straightforward language and links them to examples so that students are able apply them effortlessly.
Research design is an outline for your study. It outlines the direction of your project. If the research methodology does not meet the criteria, everything that involves data collection, analysis the conclusion, and analysis becomes suspect.
IGNOU doesn't expect complicated or extremely technical research designs. What they want is alignment. Your design should correspond to your goals, topics, and accessibility of information.
Students lose marks often not just because their content isn't good it's because their layout does not reflect the objective they've established in their paper.
Research design specifies the type of research you're carrying out. It provides answers to three key questions.
What is being investigated?
The reason why it is being examined
How it is being investigated
In the case of ignou MCOM project work research design is usually categorized under one of the following types.
Descriptive research design is one of the most commonly used design for IGNOU MCom projects. It is utilized when the objective is to be able to describe a circumstance, condition or even a performance.
This design is ideal for topics such as.
Employee satisfaction
Affects the perception of customer
Evaluation of financial performance
Management of working capital
Impact of training on employees
In descriptive research researchers are not able to alter variables. It is all about the observation and description of existing facts.
Example explanation.
The study is based on an outline research method to examine the current financial position of the selected business using relevant data.
This design is secure and accepted. It is also easy to defend in an ignou project for mcom.
Analytical research methods are employed for research that goes beyond descriptions and attempts to look at and compare performance trends.
This design is ideal when your project involves.
The ratio analysis
Ratio analysis
Comparative study among companies
and their financial evaluation
A variety of finance related ignou project subjects employ an analytical approach along with descriptive designs.
Example explanation.
The study adopts an analytical design of research to evaluate the financial performance of the business using trend analysis and ratios.
This shows depth but isn't complex.
Research design that is exploratory is often used in cases where the subject is unclear or undefined. This is less prevalent and is not used in IGNOU MCom projects but may be used in areas like.
Emerging business practices
Digital payment adoption
New accounting standards awareness
Example explanation.
The study follows the design of an exploratory study to understand employee awareness regarding the most recent accounting practices.
Use this style only when you are exploring something new.
When choosing the right style take a look at these issues.
Am I describing an existing situation
Do I examine the performance or patterns
Are I examining the possibilities of a new concept
If the answer is "description it is best to go with descriptive designs.
If it is based on numbers and comparison the design should be analytical.
If it is focused on understanding new ideas explore design.
For most ignou project submissions conceptual and analytical designs are more than adequate.
After deciding on the research design following the selection, the next step involves picking the best method for data to be collected. Methods for collecting data should match the research strategy.
IGNOU allows both primary and secondary data. What is important is honesty, and transparency.
Primary data are data that is collected from the researchers directly for the first time.
The most commonly used data tools are.
Questionnaire
Interview
Observation
Primary data is valuable when you're working with opinions or perceptions.
Topics that could be appropriate to be used as primary information.
Employee satisfaction
Customer service quality
Investor perception
Training effectiveness
Many students use questionnaires but aren't able to design them properly. IGNOU does not look at the questionnaire with a thoroughness, but it should appear appropriate and rational.
Guidelines for questionnaire design.
Make questions easy to understand
Beware of technological language
Use close ended questions
Incorporate questions into objectives
Example description for methodology section.
Primary data was gathered using a well-structured questionnaire comprising closed-ended questions that were designed according to the objectives for the research.
Do not claim the latest survey techniques if, in fact, you did not employ them.
The interview method is not very popular but is useful for smaller sample studies. It works well for case research and qualitative topics.
Example explanation.
Primary data was collected by individual interviews with employees to learn their perspectives regarding the subject.
Use interview method only if you have interacted with respondents.
Secondary data are data that has been acquired by a third party. The use of secondary data is widespread in ignou mcom project work.
Sources of secondary information include.
Annual reports Financial statements Books Research journals Company websites Government publications
Topics in finance and accounting typically depend on secondary data.
Example explanation.
The research is based on secondary data collected from company annual reports as well as textbooks, journals as well as official sites.
Secondary data is completely acceptable as long as it is properly referenced.
Students are often of the opinion that data from primary sources will look better. This is not always true.
Choose primary data when.
The subject of your discussion involves opinions or behaviour
You are able to speak to participants
The size of the sample is manageable
Select secondary data whenever possible.
Your topic is either financial or accounting based
The data is available through reports
Time is limited
IGNOU doesn't penalize any projects on the basis of secondary data. It is about proper analysis.
Sampling design describes how respondents or units were picked.
In ignou MCOM project work IGNOU, http://kapkipz.awardspace.us/, project work the simple sampling method is enough.
Convenience sampling is one of the most popular method used by students.
Example explanation.
The method of convenience sampling was employed to select respondents based on availability and accessibility.
This is true and is recognized by IGNOU.
Random sampling may be mentioned in the case of random selection of respondents.
Example explanation.
Random sampling was the method employed to select the respondents from the general population.
Make sure to use this only in the event that the selection was truly random.
Sample size should be considered reasonable and controllable.
Common sample sizes of IGNOU projects range between 30 to 100 people who take part in surveys.
In financial research, sample size can refer to the number of years or the size of companies.
Example explanation.
The sample size is 50 participants from the chosen company.
Or
The study covers financial data from five consecutive years.
Keep this consistent with your analysis section.
The study period defines the timeframe of your study.
For topics related to finance, be sure to state the financial year in a clear manner.
For survey areas, write down the period of the collection of data.
Example.
The study spans three months, during which time data were gathered and analyzed.
This shows organization and clarity.
Many of the ignou mcom submissions suffer from mistakes that could be avoided.
Copying methods from the internet
Using terms that are more advanced without understanding
Discord between goals and methods
using primary data without evidence
Avoid these mistakes to improve the quality of your project.
IGNOU Evaluations seek.
Clarity
The flow of logic
Importance to the subject
Honest explanation
They don't expect flawless research. They require sincere effort.
A clear and simple technique is more often rated higher than a copied technical one.
Read your objectives thoroughly prior to making your writing strategy. Every objective should be supported by a strategy.
If the objective is to evaluate the financial performance of an organization, be sure to mention specific ratios.
If objective is to measure employee satisfaction, refer to questionnaire.
This alignment gives a strong impression.
Selecting the most appropriate research design and method for data collection should not concern complexity. It's all about a sense of suitability. In a project like ignou mcom, simple choices explained clearly is the ideal way to go.
Learn about your topic. Keep your data honest. Write in your own words. This alone can help improve scores and confidence.