What is a Monograph?
A monograph is a work of research or literature written about a single, specific subject. It is primarily written by experts in a particular field of study for others in that same field of study. The language and information contained in a monograph is specialized and often filled with industry jargon. Monographs are popular in academic circles, among researchers and with literary experts.
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Identification
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Monographs are often used to announce a scientific breakthrough, an enlightening development or a revelation of research. Professors and researchers use monographs to establish themselves as experts in their fields. As a result, colleges and universities have vast collections of monographs on a wide array of subjects. Scientists write monographs about discoveries. Historians write monographs about a specific person, event or theme. Artists write monographs about a particular innovation or style.
Features
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Monographs are a common feature of medical research. The International Agency for Research on Cancer published monographs to identify environmental factors that increase cancer risk. This is vital to justify changes in homes, workplaces and laws to prevent exposure to things that cause cancer. Researchers publish their findings in monographs so their peers can review and validate their findings. The monographs are distributed to gain a consensus in the scientific community and build on the work of others.
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Benefits
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Monographs are a benefit to those working with social problems. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has a collection of research monographs to track what does and does not work in drug abuse and addiction prevention. These study the strategic support mechanisms and distribute the information to those who can benefit. The goal is to use the experience contained in monographs to improve drug abuse prevention, treatment and policy.
Function
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Monographs function as the primary source of news in academic journals. They are ideally suited to reach the target audience of other experts in the field of study. University presses and small publishers sometimes print monographs as books. However, this is relatively expensive, considering the small potential audience for monographs and the short run they usually have. The Internet has become an increasingly popular place to distribute monographs.
Potential
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The Internet is now the storehouse for millions of monographs. The Public Knowledge Project is developing the Open Monograph Press. It's a workspace for monographs, with an archive and index designed to make them accessible and retrievable. Since monographs are very specialized and rarely published more than once, they are often difficult to find years after they are introduced. The Internet has the potential to remedy this.
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