IGNOU M.Sc Home Science Field Project (MHCP-001): Guidelines, Synopsis Format, Guide Eligibility and Submission

MHCP-001 is the Field Project in Home Science of the IGNOU M.Sc (Home Science – Community Development and Extension Management), known as MSCHSC. It is a 4-credit project course. The IGNOU programme page describes it as a practicum-based, experiential learning course: you pick a topic of interest while doing your first-year M.Sc. courses and use the practical tools and data-gathering methods described in the project handbook.

The MHCP-001 journey at a glance

Forms, addresses and dates come from your MSCHSC project handbook, so the steps below are the general order. The green tag shows where HelpBooks supports you.

1. 1
   Choose a topic from your courseworkA community or extension issue you came across in the first-year courses and can study locally.HelpBooks: 5–6 topic options for you
2. 2
   Find an eligible guideCheck the guide conditions in your project handbook.HelpBooks: eligibility check
3. 3
   Prepare the synopsis and proformaIn the format your handbook gives, signed where required.HelpBooks: synopsis drafted with you
4. 4
   Submit as the handbook directsKeep a full copy of everything you send.HelpBooks: final check before posting

5. 5
   Collect data with the handbook's toolsInterviews, schedules, observation or surveys in your chosen community.HelpBooks: tool preparation
6. 6
   Analyse and write the reportFindings linked back to your objectives, with tables and interpretation.HelpBooks: full report support
7. 7
   Attach certificates and formsEverything the handbook lists, signed and dated.HelpBooks: annexure checklist
8. 8
   Submit and get evaluatedAs per the address and schedule in the handbook.HelpBooks: support till marks

MHCP-001 at a glance

Figures are based on the IGNOU MSCHSC programme page. IGNOU revises its guidelines from time to time, so check the latest handbook before you begin.

Who can be your MHCP-001 guide?

The programme page does not list guide eligibility. Check the guide conditions in your project handbook or ask your study centre or programme coordinator. HelpBooks can check whether your proposed guide meets the condition before you submit anything.

Choosing a Home Science field project topic

A good field project topic is narrow, based on a community you can reach, and uses a method from your coursework. Some areas that work well:

• Community nutrition: dietary habits, anaemia awareness, school meal practices
• Women and child development: anganwadi services, early childhood care, adolescent health
• Extension and communication: awareness of a government scheme and the methods used to spread it
• Livelihood and entrepreneurship: self help groups, home-based enterprises of women
• Family and resource management: time use, household budgeting, waste management at home

If you already work with an NGO, school, anganwadi or health centre, a topic from that setting makes data collection easier.

MHCP-001 synopsis format

Use the format and proforma in your project handbook. If it leaves the outline open, a field project synopsis normally carries:

• Title and introduction
• Rationale of the study
• Review of literature
• Objectives
• Community or area, respondents and sampling
• Tools and data collection plan
• Ethical points such as consent
• Limitations and references

MHCP-001 report structure

The report follows the approved plan. A usual layout is:

• Title page, certificate and declaration
• Introduction and rationale
• Review of literature
• Objectives and methodology
• Results and discussion with tables and figures
• Summary, conclusion and recommendations
• References and annexures (tools used)

Attach the certificates and forms that your handbook lists.

Why MHCP-001 synopses and reports come back

• Guide outside the eligibility given in the handbook
• Proforma or certificates unsigned or undated
• Topic too wide, or not linked to home science and community work
• Objectives that the tools cannot answer
• Report that changes the topic or community from the approved synopsis
• Consent and respondent details missing
• Copied literature review or findings
• Report sent to the wrong office

If your synopsis is returned: revise it using the evaluator's comments and send it again as your handbook directs. Our mentors can rework a returned synopsis using those comments.

How HelpBooks mentors MSCHSC learners

Most learners who reach us have one of three problems: they cannot settle on a topic, their synopsis has come back once, or the field work is done but the report is not taking shape. Our mentors stay with you through the whole MHCP-001 journey, from the first topic list to the day your marks appear:

• 5–6 workable topic options based on your job, community and city, to discuss with your guide
• Synopsis drafted with you in the handbook's format, with the proforma checked line by line before you post it
• Help with revisions if the evaluator returns your synopsis
• After approval, support in building the full report on your approved synopsis, with original writing, your own field data and a plagiarism check
• A final check of certificates, annexures and envelope before you submit
• Support until your result is declared, including any changes the evaluator asks for

Starting MHCP-001 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

What is the difference between MHCP-001 and MHCP-002?
MHCP-001 is the 4-credit Field Project in Home Science. MHCP-002 is the 6-credit Research Project in Home Science, done with voluntary organisations or government agencies.

How many credits is MHCP-001?
4 credits, as listed on the IGNOU programme page.

Where do I find the project handbook?
The programme page refers to a project handbook. Ask your study centre or programme coordinator for the latest copy.

Can I choose any topic?
Choose a topic you can study in practice and that fits your coursework, then confirm it with your guide.

Can HelpBooks help if I have already started?
Yes. Many learners come to us after a returned synopsis or with field data 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 IGNOU MSCHSC programme page; always follow the latest official guideline and your guide's instructions.