What is a monograph and how to write it?
- June 1, 2024
- Posted by: Yury Subachev, PhD
- Categories: For young scientists, Paper writing
If you are wondering “What is a monograph and how to write it?”, then most likely you are facing the defence of your doctoral thesis or you are a specialist in a certain field of science and wish to share your knowledge and research results with the scientific community.
The monograph, like any other scientific work, is devised strictly in accordance with the requirements, particularly, the mandatory content and style. It reflects the results of the researcher’s lengthy and painstaking work focused on the in-depth study of a particular subject.
The article will show you the differences between the monograph and the article/thesis, tell you about the requirements to be observed and give recommendations on how to create a manuscript.
The monograph is a narrow-specialisation scientific paper focused on in-depth research of a certain subject and containing an analysis of existing information on the given subject as well as novel ideas, concepts and developments. The manuscript reflects different approaches to the solution of the posed problem, demonstrates the author’s profound knowledge and skills that enable him/her to engage in research work and make reasonable conclusions.
The principal purpose of the monograph is to share new developments and solutions with the scientific community that will promote the development of national and world science. Presenting the manuscript is a mandatory requirement for applicants. Prior to defending a thesis, a scientist not only publishes a number of articles but also issues at least two monographs.
The difference between the monographic study and the scientific article is that to have the former published, it is necessary to obtain reviews from reputable scientists who are engaged in research in the same subject area; in addition, the monograph’s volume is much more impressive than that of an article.
Often the monograph is devised on the basis of an already written thesis; the use of similar references, statements and wording is allowed. The difference between the two types of work is that the monograph contains mainly practical findings and the description of applied research results. Stated differently, it is a practical guide for writing a thesis.
The monograph meets a number of criteria:
- It completely covers some selected subject based on the author’s research. Individual sections are interconnected to result in a coherent manuscript.
- The scientist’s concepts and ideas do not contradict to the well-known facts and theories; instead, they display a new vision of the problem and the ways of its solution.
- All experiments and their results are related to the selected subject matter.
- The list of references is well thought out and confirms the importance of the selected subject.
The monograph is a full-fledged research work; its significance and relevance are confirmed by reviewers. The published materials contribute to the development of science and are conductive to the author’s reputation.
2. What’s the use of the monograph for scholars?
1. It is considered to be the final stage of the implemented research and confirms the competence of a specialist in this subject area, proving his/her readiness for award of the degree.
2. If the publication is referenced by other researchers this will enhance the scholar’s credibility in the future and confirm the significance of his/her concept.
3. The manuscript increases the chances for the facilitated defence of the thesis and favours the possibility of getting a good position at the scholar’s institution, for him/her to become recognisable and earn peers’ respect.
The monograph is not required to be necessarily written by a single specialist; collective works are permitted, co-authored by several researchers who address a common problem and provide an opportunity to look at it “from different angles”. Each of the co-authors has the right to refer to the collective work in his/her thesis and include it in the list of his/her publications.
More often than not, collective monographs are prepared jointly by young and established scholars, allowing novice researchers to gain experience and make themselves known to a wide range of scientists.
3. Structure of the monograph and general requirements.
When devising a monograph, it should be taken into account that it is designed for a wide audience; therefore, it is written in a simple and understandable language without excessive use of specific terminology.
Mandatory sections of the manuscript:
- Introduction – it contains brief information on the problem under study without mentioning the goals, objectives and subject of the research;
- Introductory Part – analysis of the existing data on the issue under study (based on publications of other specialists) with a description of the author’s own point of view and substantiation of the significance of the survey;
- The Main Section represents the author’s actual research;
- Conclusion – recapitulation, reasonable conclusions, including on the possibility of practical application of the findings.
One is allowed to include tables, diagrams, schemes and figures necessary for due understanding of the subject. The monograph should be as informative as possible, with no spin.
If a collective monograph is prepared, then each co-author must write a separate chapter in the main section.
4. In what style is the monograph written?
The monograph is written in an official, scientific/publicistic style which is characterised by the mandatory presence of a clear structure and conclusions. Catchy phrases, flashy headlines, slang expressions and artistic style of presentation are not permitted. If highly specialised terms are used in the paper the reader should be warned about it in the introduction. At the same time, the publication should not be overloaded with terminology.
When creating a manuscript in scientific style, one should write with ease, in simple words about complex things, for an ordinary person to understand what is being discussed. All explanations and references should be appropriate and not mislead the reader.
To facilitate the perception, the text is divided into paragraphs and subsections. The monograph is not a set of quotations and smart thoughts, but the author’s scientific work written in his own words on the basis of confirmed facts. For a manuscript not only to be published but also to be read – which will increase the chances of citing the scholar’s work – it should have a traceable structure and logic. The author shall slowly lead the reader to the conclusions and present them in an accessible form. It is the conclusions that are the key part of the whole work, representing its value.
5. Recommendations for quick and successful writing of a monograph based on a thesis or series of articles.
If a doctorate student has already prepared a thesis or has a series of published articles on the same subject it is not difficult to write a monograph. For this purpose, he/she should:
1. Collect the existing materials in the chosen field, focusing on the practice and application of the research findings.
2. Formulate a title that would capture the essence while being short and understandable to a wide audience.
3. Analyse the available information; if necessary – gather and process additional sources.
4. Prepare an outline of the manuscript, making extracts from different sources that will later be combined into a common meaningful text.
5. Select illustrations, work through diagrams, charts, graphs, references.
6. Format the work by the requirements, check for errors and typos, verify the logic and consistency of the presented material.
7. Find a proper edition that will publish the manuscript, with the possibility of getting the work reviewed by experts – or take care of reviewing it before sending the monograph to the press.
Conclusion
What a monograph is and how to write it – are important questions for any young scientist who wants to successfully develop in the scientific community and achieve recognition among colleagues. Although this scientific paper is different from articles and the thesis it is also executed according to certain requirements and a certain structure.
The manuscript should be written in a scientific/publicistic style, but it should not represent a boring abstruse text overflowing with terms and difficult for comprehension. For the paper to generate interest in a great number of readers, it is better to use simple and understandable wording, to observe consistency and logicality of the narrative.
It is easier to write a monograph when one already has a number of articles on the same subject or a prepared thesis. In this case, it will be enough to work through the existing materials and execute the publication according to the prescribed rules.
