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Finding the right research plan and data collection technique is among the most difficult aspects that students must consider when working on their IGNOU project. Most students begin writing their IGNOU mcom projects without having a clear understanding of the type of research they're actually conducting. As a result, your methodology section will appear weak, copied, or disengaged from the subject.
This article concentrates on how to select an appropriate research plan and data collection method specifically for IGNOU MCom projects. The article explains concepts in a simple language and connects them with concrete examples so that students are able to apply them quickly.
Research design is a blueprint for your study. It defines the direction for your project. If the research strategy doesn't work, everything else that involves data collection, analysis and conclusion can be considered questionable.
IGNOU will not be able to provide complex or highly technical research models. What they require is alignment. The design should match your goals, your topic, and access to data.
Many students score low marks, not because their topic is bad, but because their design is not in line with the goals they've written.
Research design describes the type of study you are conducting. It can answer three main questions.
What is being studied
What is being researched
What is being studied
In IGNOU MCOM Project Guide's mcom projects research design typically falls among the following classes.
Descriptive research design is the most frequently used design in IGNOU MCom projects. It is used when the objective is to provide a description of a situation, state or even a performance.
This design is suitable for subjects like.
Customer satisfaction
Customer perception
Assessment of financial performance
Working capital management
Impact of training on employees
In descriptive research The researcher is not allowed to alter variables. The focus is solely on taking note of and describing current facts.
Example explanation.
The study is based on an approach to descriptive research that aims for analyzing the present financial situation of the company based on relevant information.
This design is secure it is accepted and simple justification in an project for mcom.
An analytical research design is utilized when a study goes above description and attempts to analyse relationships or performance trends.
This design is suitable when the project you are working on includes.
Analysis on ratio
Analyse of trend
Study of comparison between companies
Financial year wise evaluation
Many finance related ignou mcom topics are based on analytical design as well as descriptive design.
Example explanation.
The study uses an analytical design of research to evaluate the financial performance of a company through trend analysis and ratio analysis.
This shows depth without sounding complex.
Exploratory research designs are used when the topic is new or not clearly defined. It's not so common on IGNOU MCom projects but may be used in areas like.
Emerging business practices
Digital payment adoption
New accounting standards awareness
Example explanation.
The study employs an exploratory approach for understanding the public's awareness of the most recent accounting practices.
Use this style only when your subject is truly exploring something unfamiliar.
To decide on the right design You should ask yourself these questions.
Am I writing about an existing situation
Do I examine developments or performance
Are I examining some new ideas
If your answer is descriptive the design should be descriptive.
If it involves numbers and comparison, add analytical design.
If it concentrates on gaining insight into new ideas explore design.
For the vast majority of ignou mcom project submissions Analytic and descriptive designs are more than sufficient.
Once you've decided on a research strategy the next step is making a decision on how data will be collected. The method of data collection should complement your research idea.
IGNOU permits primary as well as secondary data. What is important is honesty and clarity.
Primary data are data that is collected via the individual researcher who is collecting data for only the second time.
Common primary data tools comprise.
Questionnaire
Interview
Observation
Primary data is useful whenever your project requires opinions as well as perceptions and behavior.
Examples of topics suitable in primary research.
Employee satisfaction
Customer service quality
Investor perception
Training effectiveness
Many students utilize questionnaires but don't make them well-designed. IGNOU is not evaluating the questionnaire deeply, but it must appear relevant and rational.
Guidelines for questionnaire design.
Questions should be simple
Beware of technical language
Use closed ended questions
Connect questions to goals
Example description for methodology section.
Primary data was obtained using an organized questionnaire that consisted of closely-ended, standardized questions designed in accordance to the purpose from the study.
Do not make claims for advanced survey techniques if your did not apply them.
The interview method is not very popular but is useful for smaller sample studies. It's ideal for case study and qualitative research topics.
Example explanation.
Primary data was collected through personal interviews with employees to learn their perspectives on the topic.
Use the interview method only if you actually spoke to respondents.
Secondary data refers to data already acquired by a third party. It is widely used in the ignou MCOM project work.
Sources of secondary information include.
Monthly reports and financial statements Books Research journals Company websites Government publications
Finance and accounting topics mostly depend on secondary data.
Example explanation.
The study is based on secondary data gathered from companies' annual reports, textbooks, journals, also official portals.
Data that is secondary to the original source is perfectly acceptable in the right context.
Most students believe that primary data appears more attractive. However, this is not always the case.
Pick the primary data.
The topic you are discussing involves opinions or behaviors
You are able to speak to respondents
The size of the sample is controlled
Choose secondary data when.
Your topic is financial, or accounting related.
It is possible to access data with reports
Time is limited
IGNOU won't punish any of its projects on the basis of secondary information. It is about proper analysis.
Design of sampling explains how participants or units were chosen.
In ignou's MCOM project work, simple sampling methods are enough.
Convenience sampling is among the most frequent method employed by students.
Example explanation.
Convenience sampling is a method in order to pick respondents based upon availability and accessibility.
This is accurate and recognized by IGNOU.
Random sampling may be mentioned in the event that respondents were randomly selected.
Example explanation.
Random sampling technique was employed to draw respondents from a population.
Use this only if the pick was really random.
Sample size should be reasonable and doable.
Standard sample sizes for IGNOU projects range from 30 to 100 people who take part in surveys.
To conduct financial analyses, sample size could refer to the number of years or even companies.
Example explanation.
The sample size is 50 participants from the chosen company.
Or
The study covers financial data for five consecutive years.
Maintain this consistency with your analysis section.
The time period of study is the duration of your research.
For financial topics, write down the year of financial reporting clearly.
For survey subjects, indicate the length of collecting data.
Example.
The study period consists of three months in which data were gathered and analyzed.
This shows organization and clarity.
Many ignou mcom project proposals fall foul of mistakes that could easily be avoided.
Copying methodology from the internet
using terms and concepts that are advanced without having a clear understanding
The objectives are not compatible and methods
Invoking primary information without evidence
Avoid these mistakes to improve the quality of your work.
IGNOU evaluations are looking for.
The clarity
Clarity
Importance to the subject
Accurate explanation
They don't want to be able to guarantee perfect research. They expect honest effort.
A straightforward and easily explained process is more likely to score higher than a copied and technical one.
Always study your goals prior writing your methodology. Every objective must be supported by a methodology.
If your goal is to look at financial performance, include those ratios.
If objective is to measure the employee's satisfaction, make reference to questionnaires.
This alignment creates a strong impression.

The right research design and data collection methodology should not concern complexity. It's about being able to use it. In an ignou mcom project simple and clear choices make the best choice.
Be aware of your topic. Be transparent about your information. Write in your own words. This alone is a great way to improve both scores and confidence.
