Conducting the MBA Project for IGNOU already requires enough time and effort. Topic selection, analysis, data collection formatting and viva prep will keep students busy for a long time. And then comes the section on reference. This is where a lot of students get confused, and not due to the difficulty, but because nobody explains it clearly.

The majority of IGNOU MBA projects lose marks not due to inadequate research, but rather due to inaccurate or reckless referencing. Examiners notice references immediately. They determine if the source is authentic, properly cited, and formatted correctly. Insufficient reference sections raise doubts as to the authenticity of whole work.

This article explains how to write references for an IGNOU MBA project in a simple and easy way, without using academic vocabulary.

How do references impact the context of an IGNOU MBA project

References show that your works are based on real research, not your own imagination. They demonstrate that you've completed research in journals, books, reports and other trustworthy online sources.

IGNOU expects MBA students to demonstrate
understanding of existing research
Capability to connect theory with application
Understanding of authentic sources

If there are no references or they are poorly written, a project appears unfinished or copied. Even good content suffers because references reflect seriousness.

Reference section vs bibliography

A lot of students will use these terms interchangeably, but they're not exactly identical.

References include only those sources which are actually cited within the chapters of the project.

Bibliography could also include information to help to understand the subject but was not explicitly cited.

For IGNOU MBA projects, it's better using the reference section. Ensure that each source is cited in the document.

Which referencing style should apply to IGNOU MBA

IGNOU generally follows the APA style to manage projects. Although they don't punish minor formatting variations, consistency is critical.

The APA style has a focus on the Author name and Year of publication Title of the source Publisher or journal URL if online

Don't mix different styles in the same project. That is one of the most common mistakes students make.

How to reference sources in a correct order?

The reference lists should be made available at the conclusion of the project following the conclusion, and before any annexures.

Rules to be followed
Arrange references alphabetically by surname of author
If there is no author accessible, use the organisation the name
If there is no date available, you can use the word n d instead of year.
Use a consistent spacing and font

Do not number references unless instructed by your guide.

How to write book reference for IGNOU MBA project

Books are regarded as strong sources particularly for the theory chapters.

Format

Author surname, initials. Year. Title of book. Name of the publisher.

Example

Kotler, P. 2017. Marketing management. Pearson Education.

If the book has more than one authors, list them together in the same way as listed in the book.

Beware of referencing guide notes and teaching materials. Examiners are able to easily spot unofficial sources.

How do you write a journal article references

Journal articles are extremely valued in MBA projects, especially for literature review.

Format

Author surname, initials. Year. Title of the paper. Journal name Volume number, issue number Page range.

Example

Sharma, R. 2020. Engagement of employees and productivity. International Journal of Management Studies, 8 2, 45 to 58.

You must ensure that the journal's names are complete, not abbreviated.

How to write website references correctly?

Internet sources are acceptable provided they are trustworthy.

Utilize
government websites
Annual reports of companies
Reputable business portals
These journals are academic in nature.

Avoid blogs that are not authored by an writer or any authority.

Format

Author or organization. Year. Title of the website. Name of the website. URL.

Example

Reserve Bank of India. 2022. Framework for monetary policy. RBI Official Website. https://www.rbi.org.in

Do not paste lengthy tracking URLs. Use neat URLs.

Referencing company reports and annual reports

For MBA projects, information from companies tends to be taken out of annual accounts.

Format

Company name. Year. The report's title. Publisher's name, or the name of the company.

Example

Tata Motors Limited. 2023. Annual report. Tata Motors Limited.

If you access the site online, include the URL at the end.

How to cite references in the project's content

References cannot be written at the end of chapters. They should be included in the chapters in the form of references.

APA text citation format

Author surname year

Example

In the words of Kotler 2017 research, consumer behavior is affected by social and cultural elements.

For authors with multiple authors
For multiple authors, use the first author's surname followed by et.al. and year.

Do not use references that are too numerous. Make use of references when theories or data are discussed.

Common mistakes students make while writing IGNOU MBA references

Using Wikipedia as a source Copying references without reading the source Mismatched citations and reference list Formatting inconsistently Fake journal titles Missing publication years

These errors can damage credibility and could result in project revision.

How many sources are enough?

There's no standard number that can be used for MBA projects, MBA project
minimum 20 to 30 references can be considered to be safe.
Include some journals, books, and reports
Do not increase the list artificially

Quality is more important than quantity.

Practical trick to manage references effortlessly

While working at your task
Maintain the reference documentation separately.
Note sources you have used as you write chapters.
You should not leave references for the last day

In the last minute, referencing can lead to mistakes.

Final thoughts

In writing reference documents for your IGNOU MBA project isn't about reciting formats. It is about honesty, reliability, and a sense of clarity. When references are written properly they enhance your work and ensure that your project is based on real knowledge.

Treat the reference section as part of your research and not a formality. The examiners can tell if you have put in the effort, and references that are clean leave an impression of positivity.

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