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Deciding on the most appropriate research design and data collection technique is one of the most confusing aspects for students who are working on their IGNOU project. A majority of students begin writing their ignou mcom assignment without realizing what research they're actually conducting. Because of this, the methodology section appears weak, copied, or unrelated to the subject.
This article focuses only on the steps to select the appropriate research methodology and data collection technique specifically for IGNOU MCom projects. It explains concepts in an easy terminology and ties them with examples that students are able apply them effortlessly.
Research design functions as a blueprint for your study. It outlines the direction of your research project. If your research design is wrong, everything that follows data collection, analysis and conclusion will be questioned.
IGNOU does not anticipate complex or technical research designs. They are looking for alignment. Your design should be in line with your goal, topic, and availability of data.
Many students are penalized not just because their writing isn't up to scratch and their design does not align with the goals they've established in their paper.
The research design will explain the type of research you're conducting. It addresses three fundamental questions.
What is being studied
to determine why it's being looked at
What is being investigated
In ignou's MCOM project work research design is usually categorized under one of the following types.
Description research is the most widely employed design in IGNOU MCom projects. It is used when the purpose is to provide a description of a situation, state or even a performance.
This design is ideal to be used in areas such as.
Employee satisfaction
Affects the perception of customer
Financial performance analysis
Working capital management
Impact of training on employees
In descriptive research the researcher doesn't manipulate variables. It is all about being observant and describing facts.
Example explanation.
The study is based on a descriptive research design for analyzing the present financial situation of the firm using pertinent data.
This design is secure and is easy to defend in an MCOM project.
Analytical research is a method of study to study situations that go beyond description and attempts to analyse relationship or performance trends.
This design can be used when the project you are working on includes.
Analysis of ratios
Analyse of trend
Comparative study between companies
Year-long financial evaluation
Many finance related ignou mcom project subjects employ an analytical approach along with descriptive designs.
Example explanation.
This study utilizes an analytical research design to evaluate the financial performance of the company by way of trend and ratio analysis.
This shows depth without sounding complex.
Research design that is exploratory is often used when the topic is unclear or undefined. This is less prevalent among IGNOU MCom projects but may be used in areas such as.
Emerging business practices
Digital payment adoption
New accounting standards awareness
Example explanation.
The study employs an exploratory research design in order to examine the knowledge of employees about recent accounting practices.
Use this style only when your topic is really exploring something unexplored.
To determine the proper design to choose the right design, you must ask these questions.
Am I writing about an existing situation
Are I analyzing performance or trends
Are I examining the possibilities of a new concept
If your answer is description then go for descriptive design.
If it involves numbers and comparison or analysis, consider adding analytical design.
If it seeks to understand new concepts take a look at exploratory design.
In the majority of ignou mcom submissions that are descriptive and analytical, these designs will suffice.
After selecting the research method the next step is deciding on the manner in which data will be taken. The method for collecting data must be compatible with the research strategy.
IGNOU accepts primary and secondary data. What is important is honesty as well as transparency.
Primary data is data collected directly by the researcher for the first time.
Common primary data tools comprise.
Questionnaire
Interview
Observation
Primary data is important when the project you're working on involves opinions behaviour, perceptions.
Topics that are suitable for data that is primary.
Employee satisfaction
Customer service quality
Investor perception
Training effectiveness
Most students fill out questionnaires but they don't design them in a proper manner. IGNOU does not examine the questionnaire thoroughly, but it should be relevant and logical.
Guidelines for questionnaire design.
Keep questions simple
Beware of Technical language
Make sure you answer close-ended questions
Links questions to goals
Example description for methodology section.
Primary data was collected using an organized questionnaire that consisted of open-ended questions, designed according to the goals to be studied.
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 works well for case research as well as qualitative topics.
Example explanation.
The primary data was collected via individual interviews with employees to find out their thoughts regarding the issue.
Employ the interviewing method only if you have interacted with respondents.
Secondary data is data obtained by someone else. It is frequently used in the IGNOU MCOM project topics (https://akkrafts.com/ignou-mcom-project-complete-guide-for-students-859) mcom projects work.
Sources of secondary information include.
Yearly reports, financials Books Research journals Company websites Government publications
Accounting and finance topics typically require secondary information.
Example explanation.
The study is based upon secondary data gathered from companies' annual reports or textbooks. Journals, journal, and official websites.
Data that is secondary to the original source is perfectly acceptable for as long as it's properly identified.
Many students believe that primary data appears superior. It's not always so.
Choose primary data when.
Your topic may involve opinions or behavior
You are able to speak to a variety of respondents
Sample size is reasonable
Choose secondary data when.
Your topic is financial or accounting-related.
There is data available from reports
Limitations on time
IGNOU won't punish any of its projects based on secondary data. What is important is proper analysis.
A sampling method explains how the participants or units were selected.
In ignou mcom project work easy sampling techniques are enough.
The most convenient method of sampling is convenience sampling. widely used method among students.
Example explanation.
Convenience sampling method was adopted in order to select respondents on the basis of accessibility and availability.
This is accurate and acknowledged by IGNOU.
Random sampling could be used if respondents were selected randomly.
Example explanation.
Random sampling methods were used to pick respondents from the entire population.
Only use this if the selection is actually random.
The sample size must be reasonable and controllable.
The most common sample sizes in IGNOU projects range between 30 and 100 respondents in surveys.
As for studies on financials the size of the sample can be used to refer the number years or even companies.
Example explanation.
The sample size is 50 respondents from the chosen group.
Or
The study includes financial information of five consecutive years.
It should be consistent with your analysis section.
Study time defines the duration of your study.
For financial topics, write down the years of financial data clearly.
For survey topics, include the time of research.
Example.
The study spans three months in which data were collected and analysed.
This shows planning and clarity.
Many ignou mcom project proposals result in errors that could have been avoided.
Copying methodology from internet
Using terms that are more advanced without knowing
the difference between the objectives and methodologies
It is possible to claim primary data without supporting evidence
Avoid these mistakes to improve your project quality.
IGNOU evaluations are looking for.
Transparency
Clarity
Relationship to the subject
Transparent explanation
They do not require perfect research. They expect honest effort.
Simple and well-explained methodology often scores better over a copy of a technical procedure.
Always take your time reading your objectives before making your writing strategy. Every objective should be supported through a system.
If the purpose is to examine financial performance, include proportions.
If objective is to evaluate the satisfaction of employees, reference questionnaire.
This alignment leaves a strong impression.
Finding the best research design and data collection method should not concern complexity. It's about a good fit. In an ignou MCOM project simple decisions that are explained clearly perform best.
Make sure you know your subject. Do your best to be honest about your information. Write in your own words. This alone can boost your scores and confidence.