For professional growth and development in the academic environment, a scientist needs to actively engage in writing scientific works. This includes not only the publication of articles but also the creation of monographs and dissertations. At the beginning of their career, many scientists face the question: which format to choose? How do these types of works differ? Today we will take a detailed look at the specifics of writing monographs and dissertations and find out what differences exist between them.
Monograph: main characteristics
Monograph – is one of the types of scientific works in which one specific issue or topic is studied in detail. It is usually published in the format of a book or collection.
Depending on the number of authors working on the research, a monograph can be individual or collective.
An individual monograph is created by one author who independently conducts research, analyses data, and formulates conclusions. This format allows for integrity of presentation, a unified style, and deep immersion in the topic, reflecting the author’s unique vision.
A collective monograph is created by a group of scientists, where each author is responsible for a separate section or aspect of the research. One of the key advantages of this format is the thoroughness of the analysis. Thanks to the diverse approaches, experience, and specialization of each participant, a collective monograph provides a comprehensive coverage of the topic, combining different perspectives and methods. This allows for a deeper exploration of the problem, covering a broader range of issues compared to an individual work.
It should also be noted that monographs are divided according to their content, purpose, and research approach. Depending on these criteria, the following main types of monographs are distinguished:
| Type of monograph | Description |
|---|---|
| Scholarly | A thorough academic scientific work that studies a specific topic and may include original research, literature analysis, or theoretical generalizations. |
| Research | Focused on the author’s original research, presenting new data, experiments, or hypotheses. In such a work, the author emphasizes novelty and their own contribution. |
| Thematic | Focused on one specific topic or problem, combining different approaches (theoretical, practical, interdisciplinary) for its comprehensive coverage. |
| Subject-based | Covers an entire field or subject of research, often with an interdisciplinary approach, systematically describing the history, methods, or current state of the discipline. |
Dissertation: main characteristics
Dissertation – is one of the types of scientific works, authored by a candidate for an academic degree of Candidate or Doctor of Sciences within a specific discipline. After writing, the scientist must undergo a defence procedure and present it before the dissertation committee. This type of scientific work is characterized by strict requirements for structure, content, and novelty, and its purpose is to demonstrate the author’s ability to conduct thorough independent research.
Depending on the academic degree that the scientist seeks to obtain, dissertations are divided into Candidate’s and Doctoral. Read more about the requirements for each in our article.
There is also a classification of dissertations by methodological approach. Depending on which research format the author chooses, dissertations are divided into empirical and theoretical.
The basis of an empirical dissertation is the collection of new data through experiments, surveys, observations, or other methods. It focuses on obtaining primary data to test hypotheses or identify new patterns. This type of dissertation is mostly found in natural and social sciences.
A theoretical dissertation, on the other hand, focuses on analysing existing theories, scientific literature, or concepts, proposing new conceptual models or interpretations. Based on logical analysis and synthesis, this type of work develops or expands theories without collecting new empirical data.
How does a monograph differ from a dissertation?
A monograph and a dissertation are important types of scientific works used for an in-depth study of specific topics or problems. However, they have different goals, formats, and features, which we will consider in the table below.
| Criterion | Monograph | Dissertation |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | In-depth coverage of a topic or problem for an academic or broader audience. | Obtaining an academic degree of Candidate or Doctor of Sciences. |
| Scientific novelty | Some types of monographs may contain new results, while others may generalize or systematize existing knowledge. | A dissertation must always contain original results that contribute to science. |
| Number of authors | Can be individual or collective. | The author of a dissertation can only be the candidate for the academic degree. |
| Audience | Depends on the type of monograph. It may cover other scientists, students, and professionals in a particular field, as well as a wider audience. | Dissertations are mostly intended for a narrower academic audience, in particular members of the dissertation council or experts in a specific field. |
| Defence procedure | A monograph does not require defence. It undergoes peer review before publication. | Mandatory public defence before the dissertation council. After that, a decision is made on awarding the academic degree. |
| Length | Length varies depending on the type of monograph and publisher requirements. | Approximate length of a Candidate’s dissertation is 100–150 pages, and a Doctoral dissertation is 200–250. |
As can be seen, although a monograph and a dissertation are equally valuable in the academic environment, they serve different functions and have different requirements for content, structure, and evaluation. The choice between these formats depends on the author’s goals.
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