Conducting the MBA dissertation for IGNOU already requires lots of effort. Topic selection, analysis, data collection formatting and viva preparation take students through months of preparation. This is followed by the reference sections. Students often are confused. Not because it's a challenge, but simply because it is not explained clearly.
The majority of IGNOU MBA courses fail not because of poor research, but due to inappropriate or careless reference. Examiners notice references immediately. They ensure that sources are genuine, properly cited, and consistent in their format. A weak reference section will raise doubt about the credibility of the overall project.
This guide explains how to write references for an IGNOU MBA project in a simple and practical way, without academic terms.
How do references impact the context of an IGNOU MBA project
References can prove that your research is based on genuine research and not just imagining. They demonstrate that you've looked up books, journals and research papers, and trustworthy online sources.
IGNOU requires MBA students to demonstrate
Understanding of existing research
and ability to connect concepts with their practical
Understanding of authentic sources
If there are no references or they are poorly written, the piece seems rushed or copied. Even good content suffers because references reflect seriousness.
Reference section vs Bibliography
Many students make use of these terms interchangeably, however they're not the same.
References contain only the sources specifically cited in the chapters of the project.
Bibliography may include additional documents that will help you to comprehend the topic, however it was not specifically cited.
For IGNOU MBA projects, it is safer that you use an Sources section. Also, make sure that each referenced source is used in the content.
Which style of referencing should you choose to use for IGNOU MBA
IGNOU MBA project experts, https://md.chaosdorf.de/s/JAy6xq-nez, generally adheres to the The APA style is generally followed on management assignments. While they may not penalize minor formatting differences in consistency, it is important to be consistent.
The APA style has a focus on the author name, year of publication The title of the publisher or journal URL if it is online
Don't combine different styles in the same project. That is one of the most common mistakes students make.
How to provide references in the correct order?
Reference lists should be provided at the conclusion of the project after the conclusion and before annexes.
Rules to follow
The order of references should be alphabetically by author surname
If no author is present, use the organizational's name
If there is no date available, include n d instead of the year.
Use consistent spacing and font
Don't number references unless or requested by your guide.
How to create book references for IGNOU MBA project
Books are considered strong sources, especially for theory chapters.
Format
Author surname, initials. Year. Title for the novel. Name of the publisher.
Example
Kotler, P. 2017. Marketing management. Pearson Education.
If the book has multiple authors, they should be listed by author in the order stated in the book.
Don't use guide notes for instructional materials. Examiners can easily discern unofficial sources.
How do you write a journal article references
Journal articles are extremely appreciated for MBA projects, especially when it comes to study of literature.
Format
Author surname, initials. Year. The title to the journal article. Journal name, volume number issue number page range.
Example
Sharma, R. 2020. Employee engagement and productivity. International Journal of Management Studies, 8 2, 45 to 58.
The journal's name must be written fully, not abbreviated.
How do you write references to websites correctly?
The internet is acceptable if they are reliable.
Make use of
government websites
Annual reports of companies
Reputable business portals
Research journals
Avoid blog sites that lack an creator or authority.
Format
Author or company. Year. Title of the webpage. Website name. URL.
Example
Reserve Bank of India. 2022. Monetary policy framework. RBI Official Website. https://www.rbi.org.in
Do not use long tracking links. Use well-formed URLs.
Reports of the company and annual reports
For MBA projects, information from companies typically comes out of annual accounts.
Format
Company name. Year. Title of report. Publisher or company name.
Example
Tata Motors Limited. 2023. Annual report. Tata Motors Limited.
If accessed online, add the URL at the end.
How do you reference references within the project content
References need to be included in the chapter, not just at the end. They must be incorporated into the chapters in the form of references.
APA in text citation format
Year of author's surname
Example
In the words of Kotler 2017 research, consumer behavior is in direct relationship with social and cultural factors.
For authors with multiple authors
Use first author surname. Followed by et.al. and the year.
Don't over-cite. Refer to references only when information or theories are discussed.
Common mistakes students make when it comes to IGNOU MBA references
Using Wikipedia as source. Copying references with out studying the source. The citations are not matched as well as reference list inconsistent formatting Journal names that are fake. Missing publication years
These mistakes reduce credibility and may lead to project revision.
How many references do you need?
There isn't a set number of references, but for one MBA assignment
at least 20 to 30 references can be considered to be safe.
Include various books, journals as well as reports.
Don't try to increase the number of references artificially
The quality of the product is more important than the quantity.
Practical advice on managing references effortlessly
While working for your piece
You should keep an independent reference document
Keep track of sources while you write chapters.
Do not save references for the last day
The last minute reference always leads to errors.
Final thoughts
References to write for the IGNOU MBA project isn't about memorizing format. It's about honesty reliability, and a sense of clarity. When references are correctly written they enhance your work and confirm that your plan is based on a real understanding.
You should treat the reference page as an aspect of your research, not a formality. Examiners are aware of effort, and clear referencing will always leave an impression that is positive.