The 8 characteristics of a monograph

This type of document is one of the main sources of information in the academic world.

It is likely that throughout our lives we will need to document ourselves more or less extensively on a specific subject, either in order to carry out some kind of academic or work-related task, or to solve a problem about which we have limited knowledge, or simply out of curiosity. For this purpose, we can we can resort to a large number of sources of information..

In fact, there are so many possible sources that talk about the same subject and describe different aspects of it, sometimes in such a way that they seem to refer to different elements, that it would be possible to get lost in an infinity of articles, documents or various files. Fortunately, we can resort to monographs, a type of text that gathers information on the same subject in a systematized way. What are they? What are the characteristics of a monograph? We are going to see it throughout this article.

What is a monograph?

In order to see the main characteristics of monographs, it is first of all relevant to define what they are, since many of their most distinctive features are already visible in their definition.

A monograph is defined as a text or document that gathers and synthesizes the information available on a specific topic.

It is a synthesis that can be more or less extensive and that is generally carried out by one or a few authors, based on the compilation of available information. from the compilation of information obtained from various sources, establishing itself as a specialized document.It is established as a document specialized in the subject treated and that generally intends to serve as an investigation of the "state of the art" or the situation of the knowledge on that subject. Their purpose is usually to compile and synthesize existing information and to add new information or points of view on the subject.

The monographs are not done at random, but have a determined and logical structure in which they present the available information, organize it and discuss it. present the information available, organize it and discuss it, without the without the author's personal opinion being involved (although what is written may be biased by that opinion).

There are many different types, although in general they tend to be either compilations of other sources or research to provide new information. There are also analyses of experiences, although these tend to be somewhat more subjective.

Although the term monograph may seem unusual, the fact is that in the academic field these documents are in the academic environment, these documents are frequently produced in the academic field.The work must be based on existing knowledge and carried out in a critical spirit, not being a mere personal opinion with nothing to support it. Of course, the work must be based on existing knowledge and carried out with a critical spirit, not being a mere personal opinion with nothing to support it.

Main characteristics of the monograph

Although most of the main characteristics of monographs have been seen in the previous point, we will now make them more explicit by commenting on them separately.

1. It requires choosing a topic or problem

As we have said, the monograph is a text focused on a specific topic, on which the whole document is based. In fact, this is why we speak of a monograph. By this we mean that it is necessary to delimit a topic or problem to be dealt with in the monograph in question, since, otherwise, we could find ourselves with digressions. otherwise we could find ourselves with digressions that do not lead to a better understanding of the that do not lead to a better understanding of the phenomenon or element dealt with and could lead to errors or interpretations.

2. Variable design and length

The length of a monograph does not depend on the fact that it is a monograph, but on the type of monograph, the number of sources consulted, the purpose of the work or even the characteristics of the subject itself. In general, however, the aim is to summarize knowledge, not to reproduce it as it is.

In any case, it is a matter of something that must be designed and delimited beforehand, not leaving it to chance, but rather predefined.not leaving it to chance, but premeditating it and delimiting beforehand what we intend to do. Thus, one of the first steps will be to design and propose how we want the monograph in question to be.

Systematization of existing knowledge

The content of the monograph is not based on assumptions or opinions, and it is necessary first of all to take into account that a large amount of information will have to be gathered beforehand, always seeking to make it as reliable as possible. We should try to ensure that at least part of our sources are from authors and journals of high prestige and recognition in their sector and recognition in their sector (since it is assumed that the articles written in them have had to pass a tough screening in order to be published in it). For example, we can look for journals with a very high impact factor.

4. Aims to be objective and impartial

One of the main characteristics of a monograph is that it aims to gather the existing information on a topic, reflecting it objectively and without making value judgments regarding its content.

Likewise, it is not only a matter of being objective but also of being impartial: a good monograph should reflect all or most of the information available from the sources collected, regardless of one's own position or opinion. It should also reflect what we do not agree with, if we are dealing with a phenomenon we do not agree with.In the case of dealing with a controversial phenomenon, it should reflect the different existing points of view.

Unfortunately, and in spite of this, it is frequent that there may be biases based on the author's training, orientation or pretension at the time of writing the monograph (and even the information that is collected and that which is not may have to do with what the author intends), and these may be intentional or even unconscious.

5. Clarity and unambivalence

It is important to bear in mind that we are making a synthesis of the existing information on a specific topic, and it is necessary that the wording be clear and understandable.. Therefore, we must reduce ambivalence and use a language suitable for the target audience of the monograph in question.

6. They have a basic structure and a specific internal organization.

Monographs have a specific structure through which the information to be presented is organized. However, we are talking about a basic structure, and some monographs may become more complicated or vary depending on the type of monograph being carried out.

In general, we find throughout the monograph a brief initial summary of the content (as well as keywords), an introduction or presentation of the data and the frame of reference used, a body or development of the data and the frame of reference used, andThe monograph will also include a body or development of the data (in the case of experiments or research processes, the methodology and results found will also be referred to), a discussion or elaboration of the meaning of the set of information previously provided, some conclusions and finally a section dedicated to mentioning the bibliography used for its elaboration. Optionally, we could also find annexes.

7. Most of them try to contribute

It is true that there are compilation monographs whose objective is only to systematize existing knowledge, but as a general rule, research monographs are the most frequent type of monograph. In this case, it is important to bear in mind that the aim is not only to explain what is known about a subject, but also to contribute something to this knowledge. should also try to contribute something to this knowledge, with a critical view, orIt is important to keep in mind that it is not only a matter of explaining what is known about a subject, but also of contributing something to that knowledge, with a critical view, or incorporating new knowledge derived from experimentation.

8. References and citations

An important part of our work when preparing a monograph is to take into account the importance of valuing and reflecting the sources from which we start. This allows us to acknowledge the ideas and concepts of the original authors of the information from which we start, and secondarily allows us to give more credibility to the monograph in question.

For this purpose, it is essential to use the bibliographical references, as well as to cite the authors cite the authors when their theories are mentioned.. When their content is copied verbatim, it will be necessary to quote the fragment and put it in italics in addition to citing it.

Bibliographical references:

• De Cores, S. and Valenzuela, C. (2015). Guía para la presentación de las monografías de postgrado: un aporte desde la biblioteca de 'Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La República. entro Nacional de Documentación e Información en Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud; Montevideo.
• Espinoza, N. and Rincón, A. (2006). Instructions for the preparation and presentation of monographs: the vision of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de los Andes. Acta Odontológica Venezolana, 44 (3). Caracas.