Referencing Styles and Formatting Guidelines for IGNOU Project Literature Review

Correct referencing and formatting are crucial components of any Ignou Project MBA academic project, particularly in the literature section. This article will assist you understand the various citation formats and presentation requirements specified by IGNOU.

1. Importance of Proper Referencing

Using suitable citation formats fulfills several crucial functions:

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• Prevents academic dishonesty by providing acknowledgement to original writers
  
• Establishes the credibility of your study
  
• Enables examiners to find your sources
  
• Demonstrates your familiarity with scholarly standards
  
• Provides evidence for your arguments
  

2. Common Citation Formats Accepted by IGNOU

IGNOU generally approves these main referencing styles:

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

The APA format is commonly used in behavioral sciences:

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• In-text citation: (Author, Year)
  
• Reference entries: Alphabetical by author's surname
  
• Format: Author, A. A. (Year). Title. Source.
  

MLA (Modern Language Association) Style

MLA is often used in liberal arts:

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• In-text citation: (Author Page)
  
• Works List: Ordered by author's surname
  
• Structure: Author. Title. Publisher, Year.
  

Chicago Format

Chicago format offers two methods:

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• Notes-Bibliography: Preferred in history
  
• Author-Date: Frequent in social sciences
  

Harvard Format

Harvard style is widely used in multiple disciplines:

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• In-text reference: (Author Year)
  
• Reference entries: Sorted by author
  

3. IGNOU-Specific Formatting Guidelines

IGNOU has particular presentation requirements for assignments:

General Presentation Rules

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• Font: Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point size
  
• Spacing: 1.5 line spacing for main text
  
• Margins: 1-inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
  
• Alignment: Justified or left-aligned
  
• Page numbers: Top center, beginning from main content page
  

Literature Section Structure

The literature review should adhere to these guidelines:

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• Heading: Left-aligned, bold, Capitalized
  
• Subheadings: Indented, bold or italicized
  
• Paragraphs: Indented format with proper spacing
  
• Length: Typically 15-20% of overall assignment word count
  

4. Electronic Sources Referencing

Due to the growing use of digital resources, particular attention is needed:

Website Reference Format

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• APA: Author. (Year). Title. Retrieved from URL
  
• MLA: Author. "Title." Website, Publisher, Date, URL
  
• Chicago: Author. "Title." Website. Publisher, Date. URL
  

E-book Citation

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• APA: Author. (Year). Title [E-reader version]. Publisher. URL
  
• MLA: Author. Title. E-book, Publisher, Year
  

Journal Article from Database

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• APA: Author. (Year). Title. Journal, Volume(Issue), pages. DOI
  
• MLA: Author. "Title." Journal, vol., no., year, pages. Database, DOI/URL
  

5. Frequent Mistakes to Avoid

Students often make these referencing errors:

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• Inconsistent use of referencing format
  
• Missing reference listings
  
• Incorrect order in reference entries
  
• Improper presentation of author names
  
• Omitting access dates for online sources
  
• Combining different referencing formats
  

6. Resources for Correct Referencing

Several tools can assist with citation:

Reference Management Software

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• Zotero (free tool with IGNOU style compatibility)
  
• Mendeley (reference manager with PDF organization)
  
• EndNote (comprehensive reference tool)
  

Online Creators

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• Cite This For Me
  
• BibMe
  
• EasyBib
  

IGNOU Resources

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• IGNOU's formatting manual
  
• eGyanKosh sample papers
  
• Student handbook
  

7. Last-Minute Checking Before Submitting

Before sending your IGNOU assignment, make sure:

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• All in-text citations have matching reference listings
  
• The bibliography section is complete and correctly formatted
  
• Uniformity in citation style throughout
  
• Proper formatting of special references like interviews
  
• Correctness of all web addresses and DOIs
  

Final Thoughts

Proper citation and formatting are not just academic requirements but important components of quality research writing. By following the appropriate referencing style and IGNOU's specific formatting guidelines, you ensure your literature section meets scholarly expectations and creates a good impression on your evaluators.

Remember that uniform and accurate citation throughout your IGNOU assignment demonstrates your attention to academic integrity and enhances the reliability of your work.