IGNOU MAFCS Project (MFCP-5): Format, Topics & Submission

The IGNOU MAFCS Project for MFCP-005 is a compulsory component of the MA in Folklore and Culture Studies programme at IGNOU. It allows learners to carry out independent field-based or analytical research on any theme related to folklore, cultural studies, communities, rituals, art traditions, or intangible heritage. The objective of IGNOU MAFCS Project for MFCP-5 is to give students with an awareness of folklore literature—both oral and written—and culture, as well as an overview of the methodological skills necessary to comprehend them.

Key Highlights of the IGNOU MAFCS Project (MFCP-5)

Understanding IGNOU’s official project submission procedures is essential, as MFCP-5 carries 8 credits, and errors in submission can affect your overall credit score.
The MFCP-5 project focuses on folk traditions, not high cultural forms such as classical music, literature, theatre, dance, or film.
Emphasis is placed on community-based folk practices—folk dance, folk music, folk literature, rituals, and performances that reflect the lived culture of specific groups.
The project explores how folk traditions are integrated into high cultural forms, examining the reasons, processes, and impacts of this transformation.
Most MFCP-5 projects begin with a pre-written or pre-structured format, but learners must prepare and submit a synopsis (proposal) under the guidance of an approved supervisor.
Once the synopsis is approved, the student becomes responsible for fieldwork, data collection, analysis, and writing the final project report.

Table of Contents

Format of IGNOU MAFCS Project Proposal/Synopsis (MFCP-5)

While developing your IGNOU MAFCS Synopsis, we would want you to consider the following broad yet critical steps:. The IGNOU MAFCS Synopsis should not exceed 1,000 words in length.

1. The Title of the Project

The title of the IGNOU MFCP-5 project should be straightforward, succinct, and descriptive. It will benefit you if the subject is relevant to your line of work.

2. Formulation of a Problem

The problem statement should provide a concise analysis of the problem’s nature and significance. A thorough analysis of current research is undertaken to uncover any gaps in knowledge or information. The problem statement justifies the investigation.

3. Goals

The objectives should be specific about the type of study you want to do during the life of the IGNOU MAFCS Project. Typically, a study subject will have between three and four congruent aims. You may arrange them as you choose. Avoid succumbing to the temptation of having too many ambitions. As an example, say you wish to undertake research on child labour. You could want to do research on the prevalence of the problem, the socioeconomic features of child labourers, and the reasons of child labour. Thus, the objectives will assist you in broadening the scope of the investigation.

4. The study’s design

A study might take the form of a survey, a case study, an exploratory study, a diagnostic study, or one that focuses only on hypothesis testing. To begin, you should decide on the type of study you will undertake.

5. Hypothesis Testing

Not all theories are tested in laboratories. You may choose to avoid this type of research as a rookie. If, on the other hand, you are certain and your Supervisor believes you are capable, the hypotheses must be clearly specified and the study design suitably developed under the supervision of your Supervisor.

6. The Context of the Study

If you intend to conduct fieldwork as part of your research, you must first define the study’s universe. This will vary according to the geographical scope and study unit of the investigation. If you are examining the characteristics of districts inside a state, for example, the universe will encompass all districts. In comparison, if you’re examining the characteristics of households in a hamlet, your study’s universe will include all residences.

7. Number of Samples

The universe encompasses all subjects of study. A scientific team must choose a unit of the cosmos to study due to the time and effort required. The sample size chosen should be adequate to ensure the MAFCS project is completed on time.

8. Data Collection Instruments

You should decide on the data gathering instruments that you will employ, such as an interview schedule, an interview guide, and observation.

9. Analyze Data

It is desirable to provide information on the data analysis and interpretation approaches you intend to utilise in your IGNOU MAFCS Proposal.

10. Bibliographical references (in APA format)

Bibliographies must adhere to the APA format. These can be arranged alphabetically.

Format of IGNOU MAFCS Project Report/Dissertation (MFCP-5)

Following completion of the research in accordance with the requirements of the IGNOU MAFCS synopsis, you must write a detailed account of the research, emphasising the problem statement, the research objectives, the study’s hypothesis(es) based on a review of the related literature, the method and procedures used to select the sample group, and the development and use of Each of these points is thoroughly explored in the IGNOU MAFCS Report. IGNOU MAFCS Dissertation writing requires adherence to a number of standards and principles.

A Guideline to Report Writing for the IGNOU MAFCS Project Report

Numerous style guides exist to assist us in presenting an IGNOU MAFCS Dissertation; these project manuals advise us on the specific rules, style, and structure to follow while explaining the research project’s objectives, strategies, processes, and findings.

1) The Title Page:

A research report’s body is preceded by several sections of preparation information. It contains the following information in general. i)The title of the dissertation ii) The institution to which the dissertation will be submitted, including its name and location. iii) The name of the student (if desired, previous academic degree may be listed after name). iv) The month and year in which the dissertation was submitted

2) Prologue:

Often, the prelude offers a brief summary of the dissertation report’s purpose and scope. Additionally, it should show gratitude to those who provided critical direction or support throughout the completion of the IGNOU MFCP-5 dissertation. If you have nothing to say regarding the significance of her/his study, you may easily omit the prologue. The page should be labelled “Acknowledgements” rather than “Preface” in this scenario. Acknowledgements should be succinct and direct. A lengthy string of effusive apologies laced in flattery is unacceptably long. The brief acknowledgements section should express gratitude to those who have supported you intellectually, administratively, and in securing access to facilities.

3) Table of contents:

Contains an introduction, chapters with sub-sections, a bibliography, and appendices, in addition to page numbers. Additionally, the table of contents portion has a prologue or acknowledgements section, as well as a table of contents and a table of figures.

4) Foreword:

The beginning to the IGNOU MAFCS Project should be accurate, complete, and succinct. It should contextualise the study issue and stimulate the reader’s interest.

In the introduction part, you define, analyse, and describe the nature of the problem in terms of the study objectives. Additionally, you do a literature review to serve as a framework for formulating hypotheses (es). Additionally, the introduction emphasises the issue’s importance and the necessity of dissertation study. Following an assessment of the problem’s context, scope, and limitations, you present the research questions, study objectives, hypothesis (es), and, if relevant, assumptions, as well as operational definitions for the terminology used in the study’s title.

5) The study’s design/methodology:

This section goes into great detail on the study’s design. It includes a detailed description of the research method used to conduct the study, demographic information about the population, the sample size (s), the sampling method, the tools and techniques used to collect data, the data collection procedure, the quantitative (statistical) and qualitative data analysis methods to be used and the rationale for their selection, and how the data will be analysed.

6) Data analysis and interpretation:

This element of the IGNOU MAFCS report is critical. The analysis and interpretation of data may be given in several chapters or merged into a single one. Tables and figures accompany the statistics, which are accompanied by written discussion. Complex and extensive tables should be relegated to the appendix; otherwise, the textual explanation suffers. The IGNOU MFCP-5 report should not duplicate all of the precise information contained in the textual discussion’s tables and figures. It should emphasise just the most critical information and relationships in order to make sense of the data and develop conclusions. Any defects or limitations in the study’s design, tools, or population that were identified throughout the project’s completion should be noted, as should the way in which these flaws or limitations impacted the study’s conclusions.

7) Conclusion:

This part summarises the subject, the study’s objectives and hypotheses, the methodology used to conduct the inquiry, and a discussion of the study’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations for future research. The findings are brief and straightforward in their application to the study’s aims and tested hypotheses. They state, as previously indicated, whether the study’s findings support or refute the hypothesis (es). Conclusions address the issues raised and contribute to knowledge growth. Additionally, the researcher may call attention to unresolved issues that surfaced during the course of the study and require further investigation outside the scope of the researched problem.

The discussion and presentation of findings should instil a sense of achievement and benefit in the reader. It should be mentioned that the summary and conclusion portion of the research report is the most often used section since it summarises the information contained in the preceding sections. The majority of readers begin with this section in order to obtain a high-level overview of the study and determine its relevance to them. Students who find the study beneficial will read the remaining chapters.

8) Bibliography and appendices:

The reference section includes a bibliography and appendices. The bibliography follows the article’s main content. It is used to keep track of the sources and papers that were consulted during the research process. If the bibliography is large, the researcher may choose to segment it into sections such as books, periodicals, and journals.

An addendum follows the bibliography. The appendix comprises all necessary but unwieldy supporting data that is necessary but insufficient to comprehend the report. These resources include duplicates of instruments such as examinations, questionnaires, interview schedules, study courses, and raw data.

Who Can Be Your Project Guide for MFCP-5?

IGNOU allows the following as recognized guides:

University/College teachers with Master’s degree (preferably in humanities/social sciences)
IGNOU Academic Counsellors
Professionals with expertise in folklore / culture / anthropology

You must include:
✔ Guide’s signature
✔ Guide’s seal/stamp
✔ Updated bio-data of the guide (attached separately)

How to Submit the IGNOU MAFCS Project?

IGNOU has both online and offline submission depending on the regional centre.

A. Offline Submission

Submit a hard-bound spiral or soft-bound printed copy to your Regional Centre.

Include:

Approved Synopsis (Xerox)
Student Certificate
Guide Certificate
Project Report

They will give an acknowledgement slip.

B. Online Submission (if your RC permits)

Many RCs accept online submissions through the IGNOU Project Portal during exam cycles.

Steps:

Visit: https://project.ignou.ac.in/
Upload PDF (below 10 MB)
File name format:
EnrollmentNo_Name_MFCP-005.pdf
After successful upload, download acknowledgement.

IGNOU MAFCS Project (MFCP-5): Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the MFCP-5 Project in the MAFCS programme?

MFCP-5 is the compulsory project component of the MA in Folklore and Culture Studies. It involves field-based or analytical research on folk traditions and cultural practices.

Does MFCP-5 focus on classical or high culture?

No. The project emphasizes folk traditions—folk songs, rituals, dance, oral literature—not classical or high cultural forms like Bharatanatyam, classical music, or films.
However, you may study how folk practices influence or integrate into high cultural forms.

How many credits is the MFCP-5 project worth?

The project is worth 8 credits, which significantly affects your overall grade. Proper submission is crucial.

What is the recommended length of the MAFCS project report?

Typically 60–80 pages, though the minimum requirement is around 50 pages.

How do I submit the MFCP-5 project?

Submission may be offline (hard copy) or online (PDF upload) depending on your Regional Centre.
Always follow the latest IGNOU project guidelines.

Conclusion

The IGNOU MAFCS Project (MFCP-5) serves as an essential academic exercise that equips learners with practical research skills and a deeper understanding of community-based cultural expressions. By prioritizing folk traditions over high cultural forms, the project encourages students to engage directly with living cultural practices, oral narratives, rituals, performances, and collective memories of specific communities. At the same time, it offers space to critically explore how these grassroots traditions are incorporated into formal or elite cultural expressions, thereby highlighting the dynamic relationship between folk culture and mainstream cultural frameworks.

Successful completion of MFCP-5 requires careful preparation, beginning with a well-structured synopsis and guided research process. As an eight-credit component, the project holds substantial academic value, making it essential for learners to adhere closely to IGNOU’s guidelines and submission protocols. Ultimately, this project not only strengthens a learner’s analytical and ethnographic abilities but also contributes meaningfully to the documentation and understanding of India’s vast and diverse cultural heritage.

Downloadable Resources

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IGNOU MAFCS Project for MFCP-5: Complete Guidelines with Format, Topics and Submission