Monograph vs Thesis: Key Differences and Structures

Monograph vs. Thesis: Key Differences

This document outlines the key differences between a monograph and a thesis, detailing their structure and fundamental characteristics.

1) What is a Monograph?

A monograph is a research paper on a specific theme, concrete and well-defined in time and space. Its length is not fixed; it can range from a minimum of 60 pages to the size of a book or even several volumes.

The fundamental characteristic of a monograph is that its structure does not rely on a hypothesis.

2) What is the Structure of a Monograph?

The structure of a monograph consists of the following parts:

  • The initial or preliminary part
  • The central part or body of work
  • The final part

3) Elements of the Initial Part of a Monograph

The initial part of a monograph includes:

  • The title page
  • The cover
  • The introduction
  • The summary (or abstract)

4) What is the Introduction?

The introduction provides preliminary explanations or information about the work. The author uses the introduction to orient the reader towards the central theme and its components, providing a contextual view of the content so the reader has a concrete understanding of the subject.

5) What is the Index or Summary?

The index is a schematic list of the research content, organized and structured with chapters, headings, and subheadings, providing a comprehensive, systematic, and logical overview.

6) What is the Abstract?

The abstract is a global view of the work, aiming to give the reader a brief overview with the basic and important elements, resulting in a clear and concrete understanding of the work. The abstract should not include comments by the author and should not exceed 30 lines.

7) What is the Central Part of a Monograph?

The middle or body of work is the development of each of the issues raised. It is the research report where the author’s narrative description and analysis of information form the core of the monograph.

8) Examining the End of the Monograph

The final part of the monograph is important as it includes elements such as the glossary, bibliography, appendices, and index. These aspects complement the research work and are necessary to provide the reader with a comprehensive view, enabling a better understanding of the new information offered in relation to a current issue or problem.

9) What is a Thesis?

A thesis is a research project undertaken to obtain a bachelor’s degree or a doctorate. Its length varies between 100 and 400 pages, in which the applicant addresses a problem related to their studies and specialty. The thesis is an original piece of research that reveals something not yet discovered or builds upon existing knowledge.

10) What is the Fundamental Characteristic of a Thesis?

The key feature of a thesis is that this type of research is driven by hypotheses, variables, and indicators, and is subject to evidence.

11) What Steps Should Be Followed for a Thesis?

  1. Determine the theme
  2. Collect documents on the subject
  3. Conduct field research
  4. Sort the documents and information obtained
  5. Examine the theme from scratch in light of the information collected
  6. Provide an organized presentation of all reflections and practical contributions
  7. Write the thesis in a clear and consistent manner so that the reader understands the intended meaning

12) What Should Researchers Consider in Assessing Research?

This type of assessment should involve more than just the researcher. People involved directly or indirectly, whose practice and experience allow them to provide feedback with authority and sufficient knowledge about the effectiveness of the theoretical, methodological, and technical procedures used, and, above all, the social support for the research, should be considered.

13) Explain the Context – Reference

This is the space where we locate the data on the problems to be investigated, or the background of the topic. It provides us with a real and complete vision in time and space.

14) What is the Theoretical – Conceptual Framework?

This is the space where there is scientific discourse on the problem or issue to be investigated. For this, we rely on the scientific theory that has supported us and where we combine the dialectical categories.

15) What is a Hypothesis?

A hypothesis is a supposition, a tentative answer to the problems of science.