Knowing the IGNOU Project Submission Guidelines and Required Format
For numerous students pursuing a wide array of programmes at the IGNOU, the research project represents the ultimate educational obstacle before earning their credential. However, the process for proper submission is often obscured by uncertainty regarding the prescribed protocol and formatting rules. This exhaustive resource aims to demystify every element of submitting your IGNOU project, ensuring you satisfy all administrative criteria with confidence.
Deciphering the Formal Process Flow
The submission process is a multi-step path that needs attentive compliance with established protocols. Overlooking to follow these steps can lead to unnecessary setbacks.
1. Obtaining Approval from an Recognized Supervisor
This is the very and primary phase. You cannot hand in a project without the guidance and written consent of an IGNOU-recognized supervisor. Your guide must endorse the essential 'Mentor Approval Form' on a stamp paper, which confirms that the work is your own and completed under their guidance.
2. Preparing the Physical Copies
Ignou Project WiseBooks Solutions generally requires students to submit 2 properly bound copies of their final project report.
- Paper: Use standard white paper.
- Text: The manuscript must be typed using a professional font like Arial in 12pt size with 1.5 or Double line spacing.
- Binding: The copies must be soft-bound with a plain cover. Avoid spiral binding or rigid covers unless specifically instructed.
3. Gathering the Required Documents
Within the first copy of your project, you must include the following papers:
- The duly signed 'Guide Certificate'
- A clear scanned copy of your IGNOU Student Identity Card
- A photocopy of your course admission proof
- The completely filled 'Project Submission Form' (obtainable from your IGNOU website)
4. The Act of Submission
Your complete project package must be submitted to the designated regional centre under your study centre. You can typically do this via a reliable courier service. If submitting by post, ensure you use a registered service and safe guard the tracking receipt. Upon acceptance, the office will issue you an official acknowledgement receipt. Guard this receipt as if it were your grade card; it is your sole proof of submission.
Adhering to the Project Format
The format of your project is not a mere recommendation; it is a rigid set of rules. Deviation from the outlined format can lead to point deductions.
The Structure of Pages
Your project report must be arranged in the following exact order:
- Cover Page: With the project title, your name, enrolment number, programme name, and the name of your supervisor.
- Supervisor’s Certificate: The signed certificate on stamp paper.
- Declaration: A statement from you declaring the work as original.
- Acknowledgement: A section to thank those who helped you.
- Contents: Listing all sections and their page numbers.
- List of Tables and List of Figures: If applicable.
- Main Body: The core content, usually including:
- Chapter 1: Overview
- Chapter 2: Review of Literature
- Chapter 3: Research Methodology
- Chapter 4: Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Chapter 5: Findings, Conclusion & Recommendations
- Bibliography: A properly formatted list of all sources cited.
- Appendices: For supplementary material like questionnaires or raw data.
Technical Formatting Guidelines
- Page Margins: Maintain standard margins on all sides.
- Page Numbers: Number all pages sequentially, usually in the bottom center.
- Citations: Use a uniform citation style (e.g., APA, MLA) throughout the document as per your programme's norms.
Important Points and Mistakes to Avoid
- Plagiarism: IGNOU employs rigorous plagiarism check software. Ensure your work is entirely your own.
- Due Dates: Be acutely aware of your programme-specific submission deadlines. Submitting after a deadline can result in your project being evaluated for the following semester.
- Proofreading: Thoroughly proofread your entire document for grammatical, formatting, and data errors before printing and binding.
Ultimately, handing in your IGNOU project is a formal academic rite of passage. By understanding the intricacies of the procedure and meticulously following the structural guidelines, you transform this intimidating task into a manageable and achievable endeavor. Give heed to detail, begin early, and you will traverse this last step with flying colors.