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The choice of the appropriate research design and data collection methodology is one of the most difficult tasks for students working on an IGNOU project. Most students begin writing their IGNOU mcom projects without completely understanding the nature of research they actually are conducting. In the end, the methodology section may appear weak, rewritten, or disengaged from the subject.
This article focuses exclusively on the best way to choose the right research design and data collection methodology specifically for IGNOU MCom projects. It presents concepts in simple language, and then links them with examples in a way that students can use them effectively.
Research design functions as a blueprint for your study. It lays out the course of your research project. If the research concept is incorrect, everything that follows data collection, analysis, and conclusion becomes questionable.
IGNOU doesn't expect complicated and highly technical research concepts. What they do expect is alignment. The design should reflect your objectives, topic, and access to data.
A lot of students fail to get marks not due to the topic being bad, but because their design does not support the objectives that they've expressed in their work.
Research design is the way to describe the kind of study you are conducting. It answers three basic questions.
What is being studied
Why it is being investigated
How it is being researched
In the case of ignou MCOM project work research design typically falls in one or more of these categories.
Description research is the most widely utilized design in IGNOU MCom projects. It is employed for projects that aim to describe a specific situation, condition or even a performance.
This design is ideal to be used in areas such as.
Employee satisfaction
Satisfaction of clients
Analyzing financial performance
Working capital management
Training's impact on employees
In descriptive research researchers don't alter variables. The research is focused on watching and describing the facts.
Example explanation.
The study employs the method of descriptive research for analyzing the present financial position of the selected company based upon relevant data.
This design is secure and is easy use in a ignou MCOM project.
Analytical research designs are used when the study goes beyond description and attempts to examine relationships or performance trends.
This design is suitable when your project includes.
Ratio analyses
Comparison study
Analysis of comparative study between companies
Year-long financial evaluation
Many finance-related ignou topics for projects utilize analytical design along with descriptive designs.
Example explanation.
The study implements an analytical research design to evaluate the financial performance of the firm through ratio and trend analysis.
This shows depth but isn't complex.
Research design that is exploratory is often used for topics that are undefined or is not clear. It isn't as prevalent within IGNOU MCom projects but may be employed in fields such as.
Emerging business practices
Digital payment adoption
New accounting standards awareness
Example explanation.
The study is based on an exploratory research design to study the employee's perception of recent accounting practices.
Use this style only when you are exploring something unfamiliar.
When choosing the right style Ask yourself these questions.
Do I want to present an existing situation
Do I examine performance or trends
Am I trying to understand an idea that is new to me?
If your answer is descriptive and not a description, then you should go with a descriptive design.
If it is based on numbers and comparison then add an analytical design.
If it is focused on understanding new ideas go for exploratory design.
For most ignou mcom project submissions detailed and analytical designs are more than enough.
Once you've decided on a research strategy the next step is deciding how data will be taken. Data collection methods should align with your research idea.
IGNOU permits primary as well as secondary data. The most important thing is honesty and transparency.
Primary data are data that is collected at the point of collection by researchers for the first.
The most commonly used data tools are.
Questionnaire
Interview
Observation
Primarily-sourced data is helpful when your project involves opinions behaviour, perceptions.
Examples of topics that are appropriate the primary use of data.
Employee satisfaction
Customer service quality
Investor perception
Training effectiveness
Many students employ questionnaires and do not design them properly. IGNOU does not look at the questionnaire in depth, however it should be relevant and logical.
Guidelines for questionnaire design.
Keep questions simple
Beware of Technical language
Use closed ended questions
Links questions to goals
Example description for methodology section.
Primary data was gathered using a structured questionnaire made up of closed-ended questions that were designed according to the purposes of the study.
Do not claim advanced survey methods if the method you used did not apply them.
Interview method is less common but it can be effective for small sample studies. It's great for case studies and for qualitative topics.
Example explanation.
Primary data was collected by personal interviews with employees to determine their viewpoints about the topic.
Employ the interviewing method only if you actually spoke to respondents.
Secondary data is data taken from another source. The use of secondary data is widespread in the work of the project IGNOU MCOM project topics (http://wooriwebs.com/) mcom.
Sources of secondary information include.
The annual report Financial statement Books Research journals Company websites Government publications
Finance and accounting topics mainly depend on secondary data.
Example explanation.
The research is based on secondary data obtained from company annual reports, textbooks, journals, also official portals.
Data that is secondary to the original source is perfectly acceptable provided that it is cited correctly.
Many students believe that primary data will look better. It's not always the case.
Select primary data whenever possible.
Your topic is about opinions or behaviour
You are able to speak to people
Sample size is reasonable
Use secondary data only when.
Your topic is either financial or accounting related.
Information is available as reports
and reports. Time is not unlimited.
IGNOU do not weigh down projects on the basis of secondary information. What is important is proper analysis.
The sampling design explains why respondents or units were picked.
In the case of ignou's mcom project simply sampling techniques are sufficient.
Convenience sampling is among the most widely used method among students.
Example explanation.
The convenience sampling method was used in order to pick respondents based upon availability and accessibility.
This is the truth and has been acceptable by IGNOU.
Random sampling can be described in cases where respondents were picked randomly.
Example explanation.
Random sampling was the method used to select respondents from the crowd.
Use this only if selection occurred at random.
The size of the sample should be manageable and easy to manage.
The typical sample sizes for IGNOU projects range from 30 and 100 respondents in surveys.
Financial studies may require a sample size. sample size could be a reference to number of years or even companies.
Example explanation.
The sample size consists of 50 participants from the selected organisation.
Or
The study covers financial data from five consecutive years.
Make sure that this is consistent with your analysis section.
Study period is the timeframe of your study.
When discussing financial topics, you should mention the financial year in a clear manner.
For survey issues, list the time of gathering data.
Example.
The period of study covers the period of three months where data were collected and analysed.
This is a sign of planning and clarity.
A lot of ignou MCOM project submissions fall foul of mistakes that could easily be avoided.
Copying the methodology of internet
Using terms that are more advanced without having a clear understanding
The objectives are not compatible and methodology
in claiming primary data without evidence
Avoid these mistakes to improve the quality of your work.
IGNOU evaluators look for.
Acuity
The flow of logic
Importance to the topic
An honest explanation
They do not expect perfect research. They expect sincere effort.
Simple and well explained methodology often scores better than a copycat technical approach.
Always take your time reading your objectives before writing your methodology. Each goal should be supported by a procedure.
If the objective is to evaluate financial performance, list those ratios.
If objective is to evaluate employee satisfaction, use questionnaires.
This alignment leaves a strong impression.
The selection of the ideal research design and method for data collection does not require complexity. It's about a good fit. For an ignou mcom project, simple choices explained clearly are the best.
Find out the topic you are discussing. Be honest about your data. Write in your own words. This alone will improve your scores and confidence.