It is no secret that writing an MBA assignment for IGNOU already requires a lot of work. Topic selection, data collection, analysis, formatting and viva prep are enough to keep students busy for several months. There is also the subject of reference. It is the section where students feel lost, not simply because it's hard, but because nobody explains it well.
The majority of IGNOU MBA programs fail not due to poor research, but due to inattention or incorrect referencing. Examiners notice references immediately. They examine whether the sources are authentic, properly cited, and formatted properly. A weak reference section will raise doubt regarding the authenticity of the entire piece of work.
This guide provides instructions on how to write references for your IGNOU MBA project in a sensible and easy manner free of academic jargon.
References are important to the context of an IGNOU MBA project
References provide evidence that your job is based upon actual research, not your own imagination. They demonstrate that you've completed research in journals, books, reports and other trustworthy online sources.
IGNOU requires MBA students to demonstrate
an understanding of existing research
Capability to connect theories to practice
Understanding of authentic sources
If the references aren't there or poorly written, a project is rushed and copied. Even good content suffers because references reflect seriousness.
Reference section vs Bibliography
Many students are using these terms interchangeably, but they're not the same.
References only include those sources specifically cited in the project chapters.
Bibliography may contain additional information to help to comprehend the topic, however it was not directly referenced.
For IGNOU MBA projects, it's better using the Bibliography section. You should ensure that every source mentioned is cited in the writing.
Which referencing style do you utilize for IGNOU MBA
IGNOU MBA project work generally follows the The APA style is generally followed to manage projects. Although they might not make a fuss about minor formatting changes the importance of consistency is paramount.
The APA style places emphasis on the Name of author and year of publication Title of the source Publisher or the journal URL if online
Don't mix different styles in the same assignment. That is one of the most frequent mistakes that students make.
How to list references in correct order
The reference list will be available at the conclusion of the program, following the conclusion and prior to adding annexures.
The rules to be observed
Sort references alphabetically by surname of author
If no author is accessible, use the organisation name
If no date is available, include n d instead of year
Use the same spacing and font
Never recite references without being specifically requested by your guide.
How to create book references to be used in the IGNOU MBA project
Books are considered strong sources especially for theory-based chapters.
Format
Author surname, initials. Year. The title in the text. Name of the publisher.
Example
Kotler, P. 2017. Marketing management. Pearson Education.
If the book has multiple authors, they should be listed together in the same way as indicated in the book.
Beware of referencing guide notes and instructional materials. Examiners are able to easily spot unofficial sources.
How do you write a journal article references
Journal articles are extremely valued for MBA assignments, and particularly for reviews of literature.
Format
Author surname, initials. Year. Title to the journal article. Journal name Volume number issue number and page range.
Example
Sharma, R. 2020. Engagement and productivity of employees. International Journal of Management Studies, 8 2, 45 to 58.
The journal's name must be in full, not abbreviated.
How do you write references to websites correctly
Online sources are acceptable as long as they are trustworthy.
Utilize
government websites
Annual reports from companies
Online business portals with a reputation for fraud
Journals of academic significance
Stay clear of blogs that don't have an creator or authority.
Format
Author or company. Year. Title of the webpage. Name of the website. URL.
Example
Reserve Bank of India. 2022. Monetary policy framework. RBI Official Website. https://www.rbi.org.in
Do not put in lengthy tracking URLs. Use well-formed URLs.