Monografie

A monografie is a scholarly book-length study that treats a single subject, issue, person, region, or event in depth. In the academic context, it denotes a detailed, self-contained work that presents original research and a sustained argument. In Dutch and many other languages, the term refers to a comprehensive treatise on one topic, typically authored by one writer, though multi-author volumes exist.

Typically, a monografie includes a clear thesis, a literature review, a methodology section (where appropriate), a structured analysis or narrative, and a conclusion. It relies on extensive citations, notes, and a bibliography, and may feature an index and appendices. The work is designed to function as a coherent whole rather than a collection of separate articles.

Purpose and audience: a monografie aims to advance knowledge within a field, provide a thorough synthesis of prior work, or present new data and interpretation. It is often targeted at researchers, graduate students, and professionals who require a comprehensive, authoritative treatment of the subject.

Publication and format: monografie are usually published as standalone books by university presses or specialized publishers; peer review is common in academic contexts. They differ from journal articles, which cover narrower topics, and from theses or dissertations, which are typically tied to degree requirements and institutions.

History and scope: the monographic form became a central mode of scholarly communication in the modern era, especially in the humanities and social sciences, where depth and original argument are valued. Classic examples include Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, among many other long-form studies across disciplines. In contemporary research, monographs continue to serve long-form argument and comprehensive treatment of topics.