A monograph is a research or text paper that addresses a specific aspect of a particular topic or topic. To understand in depth what a monograph consists of, it is necessary to know its main characteristics, which we present below.
1. Provide information on a specific topic
A monograph is intended to provide specific information on a particular issue, be it scientific, humanistic, social or journalistic. To do this, you must select a focus and a clear objective.
2. Clearly establish the limits of the investigation
In addition to declaring what is proposed in a monograph, that is, its scope, it must also declare its limits. In order to fulfill the objective of developing a specific topic, all monographs must establish research limits, for which they must select a corpus and a theoretical or referential framework adjusted to the needs of the project.
3. The methodological design adapts to its objective and its use
Depending on the use that the monograph will have, its methodological design must be adapted. For example, if it is for school, journalistic, scientific or general interest.
4. Can be adjusted to different modalities or types
A monograph can be adjusted to different modalities or types. Among them the following stand out:
- Monograph of analysis of experiences: theyare those devoted to the elaboration of experiments or experiences from which certain conclusions are decided.
- Research monograph:those that seek to provide information on issues or topics that require further exploration or deepening.
- Compilation monograph:those that compile and analyze the available information on a topic to build an interpretation.
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5. Complies with a basic structure
Monographs must comply with a basic structure. Although variants may exist, monographs usually have the following elements:
- Cover:this contains the main data, such as institution, title of the work, name of its author, date and place of presentation.
- Index:this should account for the structure of the work and the number of pages.
- Introduction:in the introduction the objectives, the method and the justification of the monograph are explained.
- Body of work:corresponds to the development of the topic according to the needs of the research.
- Conclusions:collects the relevant information obtained throughout the investigation.
- Appendices or annexes: theseare all additional materials that help to better understand the subject.
- Reference sources:refers to the bibliography, hemerography, interviews or other sources on which the work has been based. It must be organized alphabetically.
6. Respect for the sources consulted
Each monographic work is based on sources of consultation. Therefore, the author of an exposed idea must always be given credit and the source from which it was taken must be referred to, regardless of whether it is a literal quote or a paraphrase.
7. Its length is variable
The length of a monograph depends on the type or modality that is addressed, its limits and scope and the number of sources consulted and referred to.
8. The exposition must be clear
A monograph must respond to the needs of the investigation in a clear and concise way, since it is not a work of theorizing or speculation.
9. Deprive the objectivity
Unlike the essay, the monograph aims to provide information objectively, leaving out the subject’s personal opinion.
10. It must start from an impartial analysis
The investigator must be careful not to make value judgments. This means that you must try to be impartial in the analysis of the information summarized and analyzed, regardless of the framework of your ideological beliefs or your personal adherence.
11. Stages for preparing a monograph
To prepare a monograph, the following stages must be met:
- choice of subject;
- tonnage of sources;
- choice of methodology;
- elaboration of a tentative index;
- design of a work plan;
- final writing;
- ortho-typographical correction.
12. Must meet presentation standards
Monographs are academic works that are subject to a series of presentation standards, in addition to a methodology designed according to the area of knowledge. An example of this is the APA standards, which have become the most widespread model in scientific research
