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The choice of the appropriate research design and data collection technique is one of the most ambiguous aspects of students working on their IGNOU project. Students often begin writing their ignou mcom project without knowing what research they're actually undertaking. The result is that the methodology section seems poor, duplicated, or disengaged from the subject.
This article is focused on the steps to select an appropriate research plan and data collection technique when working on IGNOU MCom projects. It presents concepts in simple terminology and ties them by providing examples of how students are able apply them effortlessly.
Research design acts like a plan for your study. It defines the direction of your research project. If your research design does not meet the criteria, everything that comes after data collection, analysis and conclusion is questioned.
IGNOU does not expect complex or highly technical research plans. What they are looking for is alignment. The design must be consistent with your goals, topics, and access to data.
Students lose marks often not due to the topic being bad and their design doesn't match the goals they've written.
Research design describes the type of study you're undertaking. It provides answers to three key questions.
What is being looked at?
What is being studied
What is being studied
In ignou mcom project work research design generally falls under one of the following types.
A descriptive research model is the most commonly utilized design in IGNOU MCom projects. It is employed for projects that seek to explain a particular situation, condition, or even a performance.
This design is suitable for topics such as.
Satisfaction of employees
The perception of customers
Assessment of financial performance
Working capital management
Effect of training on employees
In descriptive research The researcher is not allowed to manipulate variables. The main focus is observing and describing existing facts.
Example explanation.
The study follows the design of a descriptive study to evaluate the current financial situation of the company based upon relevant data.
This design is secure and accepted. It is also easy to defend in an ignou project for mcom.
Analytical research design is employed when the study goes far beyond descriptions and attempts to look at patterns of performance or relationships.
This design is appropriate when your project has.
Analysis on ratio
Comparison study
Comparative study among companies
Financial year wise evaluation
A lot of finance-related ignou mcom project areas employ analytical design in conjunction with descriptive design.
Example explanation.
The study uses an analytical research design to examine the financial performance of the company through trend analysis and ratio analysis.
This shows depth, but without sounding complex.
Exploratory research is a method of conducting research in cases where the subject is undefined or is not clear. It's less frequently used and is not used in IGNOU MCOM project submission guide MCom projects but may use in areas like.
Emerging business practices
Digital payment adoption
New accounting standards awareness
Example explanation.
The study is based on an exploratory research design to determine the perception of employees about the most recent accounting practices.
Use this design only when your topic is really exploring something unexplored.
In order to choose the most appropriate design take a look at these issues.
Do I describe an existing situation
Do I analyze the performance or trend
Are I researching a new concept
If the answer is "description or description, use descriptive design.
If it involves numbers and comparison you can add analytical design.
If it involves a deeper understanding of new ideas consider exploratory designs.
In the majority of ignou mcom submissions, descriptive and analytical designs will suffice.
When you have chosen the research plan After deciding on the research design, the next task is to decide how data should be taken. The data collection method must fit the research design.
IGNOU accepts primary and secondary data. It is the honesty and clarity.
Primary data refers to data gathered through direct contact with the researcher, for the first.
The most commonly used data tools are.
Questionnaire
Interview
Observation
Primary data is important when the project you're working on involves opinions about behavior, perceptions, or.
Some examples of topics that would be suitable when it comes to primary data.
Employee satisfaction
Customer service quality
Investor perception
Training effectiveness
Many students are using questionnaires but do not design them properly. IGNOU is not evaluating the questionnaire deeply, but it should be relevant and logical.
Guidelines for questionnaire design.
Make questions easy to understand
Do not use Technical language
Use closed ended questions
Questions should be linked to objectives
Example description for methodology section.
Primary data was collected using an organized questionnaire made up of closed-ended questions that were designed according to the objectives for the research.
Do not claim advanced survey methods if you did not apply them.
Interview method is not widely used but is useful for smaller sample studies. It works well for case studies and for qualitative topics.
Example explanation.
Primary data was collected through personal interviews with employees in order to gain insight into their opinions regarding the topic.
Use the interview method only if you have had contact with respondents.
Secondary data is information that has been acquired by a third party. It is widely used in the ignou mcom project.
Data sources that are secondary include.
Monthly reports and financial statements Books Research journals Company websites Government publications
Finance and accounting issues largely are dependent on secondary data.
Example explanation.
The study is based upon secondary data taken from companies' annual reports, textbooks, journals, including official site websites.
Secondary data is completely acceptable in the right context.
Most students believe that primary data appears prettier. But that is not always the truth.
Choose the primary information when.
Your topic involves opinions, or behaviour
You have access to a variety of respondents
Sample size is feasible
Make sure to use secondary data.
Your topic is financial or accounting based
The data is available in reports
There is a time limit
IGNOU will not punish projects based on secondary data. All that matters is accurate analysis.
The sampling design explains how respondents or units were chosen.
In the project ignou mcom work basic sampling techniques are enough.
Convenience sampling is one of the most frequently used method for students.
Example explanation.
Convenience sampling was the method used to select respondents based upon availability and accessibility.
It is also recognized by IGNOU.
Random sampling is a possibility when respondents were chosen randomly.
Example explanation.
The random sampling method was used to make respondents available from the overall population.
Only apply this method if your selection was truly random.
The sample size should be acceptable and controllable.
Common sample sizes of IGNOU projects range between 30 and 100 respondents in surveys.
In financial research, the size of the sample could be a reference to number of years or companies.
Example explanation.
The sample size is 50 respondents from a selected company.
Or
The study covers financial data for five consecutive years.
Be sure to keep this in line with your analysis section.
The duration of your study determines the time period for your research.
For financial topics, list the years of financial data clearly.
For survey topics, mention the duration of the data collection.
Example.
The study spans 3 months during which information were gathered and analyzed.
This shows planning and clarity.
Many submissions to projects submitted by ignou are ruined by mistakes that could have been avoided.
Copying methods from the internet
Utilizing advanced terms without understanding
Discord between goals and methodologies
It is possible to claim primary data without evidence
Avoid these errors to improve the quality of your project.
IGNOU assessors search for.
Clearness
The flow of logic
relevance to the subject
Truthful explanation
They don't want to be able to guarantee perfect research. They require sincere effort.
An easy and well-described technique is more often rated higher that a technical copy.
Always study your goals prior making your writing strategy. Each objective must be backed by a process.
If the objective is to evaluate financial performance, highlight those ratios.
If objective is to measure the satisfaction of employees, reference questionnaire.
This alignment leaves a strong impression.

Selecting the right research design and data collection method doesn't mean complexity. It's about the appropriateness. In an ignou project simple and clear choices work best.
Understand your topic. Do your best to be honest about your information. Write your thoughts in your own words. It can boost both marks and confidence.