IGNOU (MLIS) MLIP-002 Project Work: Format,
Guidelines, and Topics
IGNOU (MLIS) MLIP-002 Project Work: Format, Guidelines, and Topics, Ignou MLIP 02 Project Work/Dissertation Guideline PDF, List of IGNOU MLIS Project Topics (MLIP-2), IGNOU MLIS Project & Dissertation Work for MLIP-002, MLIP-002 Project/Dissertation, The Master
of Library and Information Science (MLIS) programme of the Indira Gandhi
National Open University (IGNOU) is designed to provide advanced knowledge,
skills, and research abilities to professionals in the field of Library and
Information Science. A significant component of this programme is the MLIP-002
Project Work, which gives learners an opportunity to apply theoretical
understanding to real-life situations, conduct research, and produce a
systematic study that contributes to the field.
Project
work in MLIP-002 is not merely an academic requirement but also a professional
exercise. It equips learners with research skills, project management
abilities, data analysis techniques, and report writing experience. This
document provides a detailed academic-style guideline on how to prepare the
project report, the structure/format to follow, and a list of suggested project
topics for students to choose from.
Project Work: General Guidelines
1. Selection of the Topic
- The topic
should be relevant to the LIS field, practical in scope, and
researchable within the given time frame.
- The student
must identify a problem, issue, or area of interest that requires
investigation.
- Topics may be
drawn from domains such as library management, digital libraries,
information retrieval, user studies, bibliometrics, ICT in libraries,
knowledge management, etc.
2. Proposal/Synopsis Preparation
Before
beginning the project, the learner is required to submit a project proposal
(synopsis) to the designated supervisor for approval. The proposal should
include:
- Title of the
project
- Introduction
and background
- Statement of
the problem
- Objectives of
the study
- Research
questions/hypotheses (if any)
- Scope and
limitations
- Methodology
(data collection tools, sampling, analysis)
- Tentative
chapterization
- References
3. Role of Supervisor
- Each student
must work under the guidance of a recognized supervisor (faculty
member or professional with expertise in LIS).
- The supervisor
provides academic direction, reviews progress, and ensures the project
meets IGNOU’s standards.
4. Project Report Writing
The project
report is the final outcome of MLIP-002. It should be a well-structured,
academic document demonstrating research skills and subject knowledge.
Format of MLIP-002 Project Report
The project
report should be structured in a systematic manner, following academic
conventions. The recommended format is given below:
Title Page
- Title of the
project
- Student’s name
and enrolment number
- Programme
(MLIS) and course code (MLIP-002)
- Name of the
supervisor
- IGNOU Regional
Centre and Study Centre details
- Submission
year
Certificate of Originality
A
declaration by the student affirming that the project is original and not
submitted elsewhere. Signed by both the student and the supervisor.
Acknowledgement
Acknowledging
contributions of individuals, institutions, or organizations that supported the
work.
Table of Contents
- List of
chapters with page numbers
- List of
tables, figures, abbreviations (if applicable)
Chapter 1: Introduction
- Background of
the study
- Rationale of
selecting the topic
- Research
problem identification
- Objectives of
the study
- Scope and
limitations
- Organization
of the report
Chapter 2: Review of Literature
- Critical
survey of existing research in the selected area
- Identification
of research gaps
- Establishing
relevance of the present study
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
- Research
design (exploratory, descriptive, analytical, etc.)
- Population and
sampling
- Tools for data
collection (questionnaire, interview schedule, observation, etc.)
- Data analysis
techniques (quantitative/qualitative methods, statistical tools)
- Ethical
considerations
Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Presentation
of collected data using tables, charts, graphs, etc.
- Analysis of
findings in line with objectives
- Interpretation
and discussion
Chapter 5: Summary of Findings, Conclusion, and Suggestions
- Consolidated
summary of results
- Major
conclusions drawn from the study
- Practical
suggestions/recommendations for improvement
- Contribution
of the study to LIS profession
References/Bibliography
- Properly cited
references using APA/MLA/Chicago style.
Appendices
- Copies of
questionnaires, interview schedules, raw data, charts, or additional
documents.
Word Limit and Submission Guidelines
- The project
report should be around 10,000–15,000 words.
- Typed on A4
size paper, double-spaced, with proper margins.
- Submitted in
both hard copy (to the Regional Centre) and soft copy (if
required by IGNOU).
- Must be signed
and approved by the supervisor before submission.
Suggested Topics for MLIP-002 Project Work
Below is a
categorized list of suggested project topics that learners can choose or adapt
based on their interests:
A. Library Management and Services
1.
User
satisfaction with reference services in university libraries.
2.
Evaluation
of collection development policies in academic libraries.
3.
Use and
effectiveness of library automation software (e.g., KOHA, SOUL).
4.
Resource
sharing and inter-library loan practices among college libraries.
5.
Role of
librarians in supporting research scholars.
B. Digital Libraries and ICT Applications
6.
Digital
library initiatives in Indian universities: A case study.
7.
Evaluation
of e-resources usage among postgraduate students.
8.
Mobile technology
applications in academic libraries.
9.
Adoption of
open-source library management systems.
10.Role of cloud computing in library services.
C. Information Retrieval and Access
11.Effectiveness of OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) in user searches.
12.Comparative study of search strategies in electronic databases.
13.User behavior in accessing online journals and databases.
14.Evaluation of indexing and abstracting services in LIS.
15.Role of artificial intelligence in information retrieval.
D. Bibliometrics and Scientometrics
16.Bibliometric study of research output in a specific subject discipline.
17.Citation analysis of PhD theses submitted to a university.
18.Growth of LIS literature in indexed journals.
19.Mapping of open-access journals in LIS.
20.Webometric analysis of institutional repositories.
E. User Studies
21.Information needs and seeking behavior of research scholars.
22.Use of social media platforms for academic purposes among LIS students.
23.Reading habits of undergraduate students in a digital age.
24.Use of library resources by distance learners.
25.Gender differences in information-seeking behavior.
F. Knowledge Management and Emerging Trends
26.Knowledge management practices in special libraries.
27.Impact of big data on library operations.
28.Role of librarians in digital humanities projects.
29.Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in LIS.
30.Future skills required for LIS professionals in the digital era.
Evaluation of Project Work
IGNOU
evaluates MLIP-002 Project Work based on the following criteria:
1.
Relevance
and originality of the topic.
2.
Clarity of
objectives and research problem.
3.
Depth of
literature review and identification of research gaps.
4.
Appropriateness
of methodology and tools used.
5.
Quality of
data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
6.
Presentation
of findings and recommendations.
7.
Adherence
to academic writing style, referencing, and formatting.
8.
Overall
contribution of the study to the field of Library and Information Science.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Selecting
overly broad or vague topics.
- Copying
material without proper referencing (plagiarism).
- Poorly
structured chapters and lack of logical flow.
- Inadequate
data collection or irrelevant sample.
- Over-dependence
on secondary data without primary research.
- Weak
conclusions not aligned with objectives.
SAMPLE
PROJECT
MLIP-002
Project Proposal (Synopsis)
Title of the Project
“Use and
Impact of E-Resources Among Postgraduate Students: A Case Study of XYZ
University Library”
Introduction and Background
In the era
of information explosion, academic libraries have increasingly shifted from
print-based resources to electronic resources (e-resources). These include
e-journals, e-books, online databases, and digital repositories that provide
students and researchers with instant access to scholarly materials. The use of
e-resources has not only transformed information-seeking behavior but also
redefined the role of libraries in higher education.
In India,
most universities subscribe to various e-resources through consortia such as INFLIBNET
(Information and Library Network Centre), providing access to thousands of
scholarly journals and databases. Despite this, studies indicate variations in
awareness, usage, and satisfaction levels among students.
This
project intends to investigate the extent of use, awareness, satisfaction, and
challenges faced by postgraduate students of XYZ University in accessing and
using e-resources provided by the university library.
Statement of the Problem
Although
libraries provide a wide range of e-resources, many students underutilize them
due to lack of awareness, inadequate training, poor ICT infrastructure, or
preference for traditional print resources. This gap needs to be studied in
order to identify barriers and suggest measures for improving effective use of
e-resources in academic settings.
Objectives of the Study
The study
aims to:
1.
Assess the
level of awareness about e-resources among postgraduate students.
2.
Examine the
frequency and purpose of using e-resources.
3.
Identify
challenges and barriers in the use of e-resources.
4.
Evaluate
user satisfaction with e-resources provided by the university library.
5.
Suggest
strategies to enhance the effective utilization of e-resources.
Research Questions
1.
What is the
level of awareness about e-resources among postgraduate students?
2.
For what
purposes do students use e-resources?
3.
What
difficulties do they face while accessing e-resources?
4.
How
satisfied are students with the availability and accessibility of e-resources?
5.
What
improvements can be made in the services?
Scope and Limitations
- The study will
focus only on postgraduate students of XYZ University.
- It will cover
usage of e-resources subscribed by the university library, excluding free
online resources.
- The study is
limited to data collected during the research period and may not capture
long-term trends.
Research Methodology
1.
Research
Design:
Descriptive and survey-based study.
2.
Population: Postgraduate students of XYZ University.
3.
Sample
Size: 150
students selected using stratified random sampling across different
departments.
4.
Data
Collection Tools:
o
Structured
questionnaire (online and offline).
o
Informal
interviews with selected students and library staff.
5.
Data
Analysis:
o
Descriptive
statistics (percentage, mean, frequency).
o
Graphs and
charts for data representation.
o
Qualitative
interpretation of open-ended responses.
Tentative Chapterization
1.
Introduction – Background, problem statement, objectives,
scope.
2.
Review of
Literature – Summary
of earlier studies on e-resources.
3.
Research
Methodology – Design,
sampling, data collection tools.
4.
Data
Analysis and Interpretation –
Presentation of findings.
5.
Summary,
Conclusion, and Suggestions – Key
outcomes and recommendations.
References (Selected)
1.
Thanuskodi,
S. (2012). Use of e-resources by the students and researchers of Faculty of
Arts, Annamalai University. International Journal of Library Science,
1(1), 1–7.
2.
Kumbar, B.
D. (2016). Use and impact of e-resources in academic libraries. Journal of
Information Management, 53(4), 211–222.
3.
INFLIBNET.
(2020). Annual Report. INFLIBNET Centre, Gandhinagar.
Supervisor’s Details
Name of
Supervisor: Dr. ABC
(Associate Professor, Library and Information Science)
Designation: Faculty Supervisor
Institution/Organization: XYZ University
Contact: [Email / Phone]
Conclusion
The
MLIP-002 Project Work is an important academic and professional exercise for
MLIS learners. It not only fulfills the programme requirement but also develops
research aptitude, analytical skills, and subject expertise. A
well-prepared project can even serve as a foundation for future research at the
MPhil or PhD level.
Students
are encouraged to choose topics of personal and professional relevance, follow
the structured format, and work systematically under the guidance of their
supervisor. By doing so, they will be able to produce a scholarly project
report that makes a meaningful contribution to Library and Information Science.
