Frequent Mistakes to Avoid When Drafting an IGNOU Synopsis
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Preparing a winning IGNOU synopsis requires precision and strict compliance to the university's guidelines. Many students, however, end up making avoidable mistakes that lead to rejection in their project approval.
This comprehensive guide highlights the top mistakes students make while writing their IGNOU synopsis and provides practical tips on how to avoid them. Whether you're pursuing BA, MA, BCOM, or any other IGNOU program, this article will help you present a perfect synopsis on your first attempt.
1. Choosing an Overly Broad Research Topic
The Mistake:
Picking a topic that's too general in scope, making it difficult to research properly within IGNOU's word limit.
Examples of Bad Topics:
❌ "A Study on Indian Economy" (Too broad)
❌ "Impact of Technology" (Not specific enough)
The Solution:
✔ Narrow it down to a specific aspect:
✅ *"Impact of GST on Small Textile Businesses in Surat (2017-2023)"*
✅ "Effects of Instagram Reels on Teenage Attention Span in Urban Delhi"
Expert Advice: Use the "5 Ws" (Who, What, When, Where, Why) to refine your topic.
2. Incorrect Formatting
The Mistake:
Ignoring IGNOU's prescribed synopsis format, leading to rejection.
Common Formatting Errors:
❌ Missing title page with enrollment details
❌ No clear headings/subheadings
❌ Wrong font (Use Times New Roman, 12pt)
❌ Improper line spacing (Must be 1.5)
The Solution:
✔ Follow the standard IGNOU synopsis structure:
Title Page
Introduction (200-300 words)
Objectives (3-5 bullet points)
Research Questions/Hypothesis
Methodology
Expected Outcomes
References
Pro Tip: Download IGNOU project synopsis (ignoumcomproject.mystrikingly.com)'s official project guidelines for your course.
3. Weak Research Objectives
The Mistake:
Writing vague objectives that fail to offer clear direction for the research.
Examples of Weak Objectives:
❌ "To study social media" (Too broad)
❌ "To understand banking" (Not specific)
The Solution:
✔ Use action-oriented, measurable objectives:
✅ *"To analyze the correlation between Instagram usage and anxiety levels among college students (18-22 years) in Mumbai."*
✅ *"To evaluate the effectiveness of PM SVANidhi Scheme for street vendors in Jaipur (2020-2023)."*
Expert Advice: Start objectives with "To analyze," "To evaluate," "To compare."
4. Plagiarism
The Mistake:
Turning in a synopsis with copied content from the internet or previous projects.
Why It’s Dangerous:
⚠ IGNOU uses plagiarism-checking software
⚠ Leads to rejection or disciplinary action
The Solution:
✔ Write in your own words
✔ Use paraphrasing tools (like QuillBot) carefully
✔ Always cite sources properly (APA/Harvard style)
Expert Advice: Run your synopsis through Grammarly or Turnitin before submission.
5. Missing Methodology Section
The Mistake:
Not explaining how the research will be conducted, making the synopsis look unprepared.
Common Gaps:
❌ No mention of research type (Qualitative/Quantitative)
❌ Missing sample size (e.g., "100 survey respondents")
❌ No data collection tools (Questionnaires, interviews, etc.)
The Solution:
✔ Include:
✅ Research design (Case study, survey, experiment)
✅ Sample details (Who, how many)
✅ Tools (SPSS, Excel, NVivo)
Example of a Strong Methodology:
*"This study will use a mixed-method approach, combining surveys (200 participants) and interviews (10 experts). Data will be analyzed using Excel and thematic coding."*
6. Improper Citations
The Mistake:
Ignoring sources, making the synopsis look unprofessional.
The Solution:
✔ Include at least 5-10 references from:
Academic journals
Reputable books
Government reports
✔ Use consistent citation style (APA/MLA/Harvard)
Expert Advice: Use Google Scholar for credible sources.
7. Hasty Submission
The Mistake:
Submitting the synopsis without proofreading, leading to silly errors.
The Solution:
✔ Plan ahead (Start 2-3 weeks early)
✔ Check for:
Grammar/spelling errors
Formatting consistency
Missing sections
Final Checklist
Before submitting, ensure your synopsis:
✅ Has a clear, specific title
✅ Follows IGNOU’s format
✅ Includes measurable objectives
✅ Provides a detailed methodology
✅ Is 100% plagiarism-free
✅ Has proper references
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these common mistakes will significantly improve your chances of IGNOU synopsis approval. Remember, a well-prepared synopsis not only gets accepted faster but also lays the groundwork for a smooth research process.
This comprehensive guide highlights the top mistakes students make while writing their IGNOU synopsis and provides practical tips on how to avoid them. Whether you're pursuing BA, MA, BCOM, or any other IGNOU program, this article will help you present a perfect synopsis on your first attempt.
1. Choosing an Overly Broad Research Topic
The Mistake:
Picking a topic that's too general in scope, making it difficult to research properly within IGNOU's word limit.
Examples of Bad Topics:
❌ "A Study on Indian Economy" (Too broad)
❌ "Impact of Technology" (Not specific enough)
The Solution:
✔ Narrow it down to a specific aspect:
✅ *"Impact of GST on Small Textile Businesses in Surat (2017-2023)"*
✅ "Effects of Instagram Reels on Teenage Attention Span in Urban Delhi"
Expert Advice: Use the "5 Ws" (Who, What, When, Where, Why) to refine your topic.
2. Incorrect Formatting
The Mistake:
Ignoring IGNOU's prescribed synopsis format, leading to rejection.
Common Formatting Errors:
❌ Missing title page with enrollment details
❌ No clear headings/subheadings
❌ Wrong font (Use Times New Roman, 12pt)
❌ Improper line spacing (Must be 1.5)
The Solution:
✔ Follow the standard IGNOU synopsis structure:
Title Page
Introduction (200-300 words)
Objectives (3-5 bullet points)
Research Questions/Hypothesis
Methodology
Expected Outcomes
References
Pro Tip: Download IGNOU project synopsis (ignoumcomproject.mystrikingly.com)'s official project guidelines for your course.
3. Weak Research Objectives
The Mistake:
Writing vague objectives that fail to offer clear direction for the research.
Examples of Weak Objectives:
❌ "To study social media" (Too broad)
❌ "To understand banking" (Not specific)
The Solution:
✔ Use action-oriented, measurable objectives:
✅ *"To analyze the correlation between Instagram usage and anxiety levels among college students (18-22 years) in Mumbai."*
✅ *"To evaluate the effectiveness of PM SVANidhi Scheme for street vendors in Jaipur (2020-2023)."*
Expert Advice: Start objectives with "To analyze," "To evaluate," "To compare."
4. Plagiarism
The Mistake:
Turning in a synopsis with copied content from the internet or previous projects.
Why It’s Dangerous:
⚠ IGNOU uses plagiarism-checking software
⚠ Leads to rejection or disciplinary action
The Solution:
✔ Write in your own words
✔ Use paraphrasing tools (like QuillBot) carefully
✔ Always cite sources properly (APA/Harvard style)
Expert Advice: Run your synopsis through Grammarly or Turnitin before submission.
5. Missing Methodology Section
The Mistake:
Not explaining how the research will be conducted, making the synopsis look unprepared.
Common Gaps:
❌ No mention of research type (Qualitative/Quantitative)
❌ Missing sample size (e.g., "100 survey respondents")
❌ No data collection tools (Questionnaires, interviews, etc.)
The Solution:
✔ Include:
✅ Research design (Case study, survey, experiment)
✅ Sample details (Who, how many)
✅ Tools (SPSS, Excel, NVivo)
Example of a Strong Methodology:
*"This study will use a mixed-method approach, combining surveys (200 participants) and interviews (10 experts). Data will be analyzed using Excel and thematic coding."*
6. Improper Citations
The Mistake:
Ignoring sources, making the synopsis look unprofessional.
The Solution:
✔ Include at least 5-10 references from:
Academic journals
Reputable books
Government reports
✔ Use consistent citation style (APA/MLA/Harvard)
Expert Advice: Use Google Scholar for credible sources.
7. Hasty Submission
The Mistake:
Submitting the synopsis without proofreading, leading to silly errors.
The Solution:
✔ Plan ahead (Start 2-3 weeks early)
✔ Check for:
Grammar/spelling errors
Formatting consistency
Missing sections
Final Checklist
Before submitting, ensure your synopsis:
✅ Has a clear, specific title
✅ Follows IGNOU’s format
✅ Includes measurable objectives
✅ Provides a detailed methodology
✅ Is 100% plagiarism-free
✅ Has proper references
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these common mistakes will significantly improve your chances of IGNOU synopsis approval. Remember, a well-prepared synopsis not only gets accepted faster but also lays the groundwork for a smooth research process.
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