IGNOU MADJ Dissertation (MDJP-004): Guidelines, Synopsis Format, Guide Eligibility and Submission

MDJP-004 is the dissertation (project work) of the IGNOU MA in Development Journalism (MADJ) programme. It is a 6-credit elective of the second year, with about 180 hours of work. You choose either MDJP-004 or the Production Portfolio MDJP-005. The dissertation is an independent investigation using a case study or survey method, with quantitative or qualitative data. The work runs in two parts: a short proposal that SOJNMS must approve, and then the dissertation based on it.

The MDJP-004 journey at a glance

Every MADJ dissertation moves through these nine steps. The green tag shows where HelpBooks supports you.

1. 1
   Choose a topicA development journalism or communication topic that suits a case study or a survey in your area.HelpBooks: 5–6 topic options for you
2. 2
   Find an eligible supervisorAcademic counsellor, teacher, researcher, development professional or SOJNMS faculty (see below).HelpBooks: eligibility check
3. 3
   Prepare proposal, Annexure A and supervisor bio-dataTyped proposal of 4–5 pages, proforma signed by the supervisor, and a 2-page bio-data.HelpBooks: proposal drafted with you
4. 4
   Send to the Programme Coordinator, MADJBlock 15-A, SOJNMS, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068, by Registered Post. Write Project Proposal MDJP-004 on the envelope.HelpBooks: final check before posting
5. 5
   Approval (within four weeks)Communicated by email and post. You get a Project Proposal (P.P.) number. If returned, revise and resend.HelpBooks: revision support

6. 6
   Collect data and write the dissertation10,000 to 12,000 words (60–70 pages) in about 4 to 5 chapters, in English or Hindi.HelpBooks: full dissertation support
7. 7
   Bind with the approved proposal and declarationsHardbound copy with a black cover. Annexures B and C are signed by you and your supervisor.HelpBooks: annexure checklist
8. 8
   Send to the Registrar, Student Evaluation DivisionOne copy with a cover letter and the supervisor’s remuneration bill, to the Project Section, SED, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi. Keep the other copy.HelpBooks: address and envelope check
9. 9
   Evaluation and resultSubmitted by 30 June it goes with the June TEE, and by 31 December with the December TEE.HelpBooks: support till marks

MDJP-004 at a glance

Figures are based on the MDJP-004 project manual. The manual has some inconsistencies (for example on how admission sessions map to proposal windows, and the course table calls MDJP-004 a dissertation while the text says project work), so confirm doubtful points with the Programme Coordinator. IGNOU revises its guidelines from time to time.

Who can be your MDJP-004 supervisor?

The supervisor gets a token honorarium as per IGNOU norms, and the supervisor’s signed bio-data goes with your proposal. A proposal without a complete, signed bio-data will not be entertained. Changing the supervisor later is treated as a new proposal.

Choosing an MDJP-004 dissertation topic

A good MDJP-004 topic is narrow, suits a case study or a survey, and can be studied with the time and contacts you have. Some areas that work well:

• Media coverage of development issues: health, education, water or livelihood stories in local newspapers or channels
• Community and regional media: audience and impact of a community radio station or local news portal
• Government scheme communication: awareness of a scheme among a specific group, measured by a survey
• Digital and social media: use of social media by an NGO or panchayat for development messages
• Case study of a campaign: a single awareness or advocacy campaign and what it achieved

If you work with a newspaper, NGO, radio station or government office, a topic linked to your own work makes data collection far easier. This is also the first thing our mentors look at when they suggest topics.

MDJP-004 proposal format

The proposal is typed, runs 4 to 5 pages, and should stay consistent across questions, objectives, hypotheses and methodology. It contains:

• Title
• Clear statement of the problem
• Objectives (three to six)
• Issues or research questions
• Kind of data required
• Hypothesis, if any
• Research methodology
• Expected outcomes

With it you send Annexure A signed by the supervisor and the supervisor’s 2-page bio-data. Prepare two copies, send one and keep one. The topic and its wording must not change after the proposal is sent.

MDJP-004 dissertation structure

After approval, the dissertation is built on the same topic, objectives and method. The manual describes it as follows:

• Front matter: title page, approved proposal (Annexure A), certificate of originality (Annexures B and C), abstract of 100 words, index, lists of figures and tables, abbreviations and acknowledgements
• Introduction, with objectives and problem statement
• Review of literature (generally Chapter 2)
• Research methodology: locale, sampling, instruments and statistical tools
• Results and discussion
• Summary
• References, preferably in APA style, and appendices numbered in Roman capitals

Format: A4, 12-point Times New Roman or other fonts the manual lists, 1.5 line spacing for text, 1.5-inch margins, left-aligned. Hardbound evaluation copies have black covers with embossed lettering.

Why MDJP-004 proposals and dissertations come back

• Supervisor bio-data missing, incomplete or unsigned
• Annexure A not signed by the supervisor
• Supervisor outside the eligibility list
• Topic or wording changed after the proposal was sent
• Questions, objectives and methodology that do not match each other
• Dissertation that moves away from the approved proposal
• Declarations, approved proposal or remuneration bill missing from the final submission
• Copied or unoriginal content

If your proposal is not approved: send a revised proforma with a copy of the rejected proposal, the proforma carrying the evaluator’s comments, and your P.P. number. If the supervisor is not acceptable, change the supervisor and send it as a new proposal. Our mentors can rework a returned proposal using the evaluator’s comments.

How HelpBooks mentors MADJ learners

Most learners who reach us have one of three problems: they cannot settle on a topic, their proposal has come back once, or they have approval but do not know how to turn data into a 60–70 page dissertation. Our mentors stay with you through the whole MDJP-004 journey, from the first topic list to the day your marks appear:

• 5–6 workable topic options based on your job, organisation and city, to discuss with your supervisor
• Proposal drafted with you to the MDJP-004 format, with the proforma and bio-data checked line by line before you post it
• Help with revisions if the evaluator returns your proposal
• After approval, support in building the full dissertation on your approved proposal, with original writing, your own data and a plagiarism check
• A final check of the annexures, declarations and envelope before you send it to the Student Evaluation Division
• Support until your result is declared, including any changes the evaluator asks for

Starting MDJP-004 or stuck midway? WhatsApp us on 8800002552 with your stage, and we will tell you the next step. You can also read our step-by-step IGNOU project guide.

Common questions

Should I choose MDJP-004 or MDJP-005?
You choose one of the two, both worth 6 credits. MDJP-004 is a research dissertation, while MDJP-005 is a production portfolio of journalism pieces. Pick the one that suits your skills and time.

Can my supervisor be from my workplace?
Yes, if the person is a teacher, researcher or development professional in the fields listed above and meets the manual’s conditions.

How long does proposal approval take?
The manual says approval or non-approval is communicated within four weeks, by email and post.

Is there a viva for MDJP-004?
The manual does not mention a viva. The dissertation is evaluated for 100 marks along with the term-end examination.

Can HelpBooks help if I have already started?
Yes. Many learners come to us after a returned proposal or with approval in hand. Share what you have, and we pick up from that stage.

HelpBooks is an independent academic support service and is not affiliated with IGNOU. Rules on this page are summarised from the MDJP-004 project manual; always follow the latest official guideline and your supervisor’s instructions.