writing a phd monograph

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17 August, 2022

If you search for a definition of a monograph, you may find conflicting information. There are slightly different definitions according to discipline and depending on which audience a particular definition is targeted at. For example…

In biology, it is a comprehensive review of all the information on a specific taxonomic group of organisms. In art, it is a focus on (the work of) a single artist.

However, what the definitions broadly agree on is that there are two possible audiences , an academic and a more general audience.

Monograph defined and differentiated

The definitions of an academic monograph agree that it is generally a single-authored, scholarly contribution of professional research on a specific topic or aspect of a topic .

What differentiates it from a journal article is largely length as it is considerably longer. A considerably longer research article could be considered a monograph; it is more likely to take the form of a book.

Reasons for writing a monograph

Primarily, as is also evident from its definition, a monograph offers the opportunity to really explore a particular topic in greater depth .
Another reason why you might wish to write and publish a monograph is that it might open up career promotion opportunities , especially in the American academic tradition, where a book is often required for more senior academic positions such as Associate or full Professors.

Considerations for writing and publishing a monograph

As the scope of writing and publishing a monograph is quite vast (as you have probably grasped by now), here, we will just explore the basics of going about developing a monograph.

a. Understanding the peculiarities of writing a book

Note that, generally, books are less cited than journal articles; ground-breaking work or new contributions to academic knowledge are generally revealed in the article form. Books are more difficult to access , cost considerably more and generally do not claim to make significant new academic contributions as they often draw on material previously published by the author, either from articles published earlier by the same author or from their previous doctoral thesis. So, your reason for turning to the book format should be a strong one !

b. Understanding the time and effort involved

Writing a monograph demands extensive reading around the topic you focus on. Academic monographs usually take years in the making , a PhD taking on average 7-8 years. Even a professional academic who might write a monograph in a year is drawing on years of experience and an existing extensive knowledge around the topic of the monograph.

c. Turning your PhD into a monograph

If you are turning your doctoral thesis into a book, this can still take considerable time depending on the form your PhD took. The more traditional PhD often has an extensive review of the literature as one component. So, this might be the first area to cut or amend as the book needs to adapt to a broader audience who are less interested in an extensive review, and who are more interested in the themes, cases, findings, new perspectives or arguments that the book offers.

d. Finding a suitable publisher

You will almost certainly need a publisher who can publish and promote your monograph. Here’s an overview of what’s typically involved.

You need to identify possible publishers who have other books that address similar subjects or that take a similar written or methodological approach , or who has an established collection that you can add to.
You then need to write a book proposal that lays out how your book contributes to academia and to the publisher in question.
The preliminary research for your monograph should reveal how you might best approach the organisation of the writing.

There is no one way to actually write a monograph. However, if you understand what it is, and if you can find a publisher with a collection that your work would fit with, you’ll have a better idea of how it might be best organised. Publishers will also, of course, be particularly helpful in suggesting ways to present your research. Good luck for your monograph!

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From PhD Thesis to Monograph: Tips for Editing Your First Book

Heather Hind is a Lecturer in English Literature with research interests in Victorian literature and material culture. She is currently turning her PhD thesis into a monograph. In this post, the second in our series on the PhD and beyond, she shares her hints and tips for getting started with this process.

“ Steppingstones across the River Aire, Gargrave ” by Tim Green aka atoach is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .

Why do you want to publish a book? And how, in broad terms, do you want to go about it? These questions are worth asking yourself early on. Perhaps you see a monograph as a steppingstone in an academic career. Or maybe you want to disseminate your research to a wider audience. Or publication might be a personal goal. Quite likely, your reasoning is a combination of all of these and more.

There are alternatives to the book route, such as publishing your research via academic journals or public-facing media outlets. In any case, practical life matters need to be factored in too. The post-PhD period can be tricky in terms of employment, access to resources and mentoring, and time. Even if you plan to lightly edit your thesis, the timeline from writing your proposal through to seeing your book being published can be surprisingly lengthy – not to mention busy and uncertain.

My best advice is to keep in mind a clear sense of your motivation for publishing your book, and to create a realistic editing schedule. For me, that has meant being more ambitious than I initially intended with my revisions (because my motivation is academic impact) and assigning plenty of time to do them (acknowledging that I have other demands on my time).

The next step, after deciding to publish your book, is to get a proposal and sample chapters in order. I’d highly recommend checking out Laura Portwood-Stacer’s Manuscript Works Archive . Laura is the author of The Book Proposal Book and her website contains guidelines, templates, prompts and all kinds of proposal-writing information.

The broad questions I found useful to think about while writing my proposal, and working out the new shape and emphasis of my monograph, were:

What new perspective/s will my book offer?
What ideas does it connect, or what story does it tell?
How might it inform and influence my field and discipline?

Initial edit

First, remove any thesis-y phrasing and heavy-handed signposting, such as ‘In this thesis…’. Next, revise or cull your footnotes and any extraneous references. One of my PhD supervisors advised me to ‘wear my learning heavily’ in the thesis or, in other words, include plenty of references to show the full breadth and depth of my reading and research. While your monograph should be detailed and well-researched, it doesn’t want quite the same ‘heaviness’ as a thesis. During this initial edit, pay extra attention to the clarity of your writing and flow of your argument. As with your footnotes and references, consider cutting any tangential sentences or paragraphs. It’s a good idea to make space for new material before it’s written, rather than adding and adding to an increasingly baggy monster of a manuscript.

Content and structure

“ Hot Air Balloon Inflating ” by ajagendorf25 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 .

Next, you might rethink your monograph’s overall content and structure. Your examiners’ reports can be very useful here! You may well plan to cut as well as add material, though identifying areas to expand—whether to include unused thesis research or new post-PhD developments—can make for a major selling point in a book proposal. I have heard that some publishers want to see an entirely new chapter for the monograph, though another approach (which I’ve adopted) is to add sections of new material to your existing chapters.

You might also consider restructuring your chapters so that they make more sense (or are more marketable) as a book. For example: would splitting your chapters up into shorter ones help to guide your reader through the material with more ease? Is there a current or emerging topic that you might engage with in a new chapter or sub-section? Can you retitle your chapters (or overall book) to appeal to a wider audience?

With these points in mind, I found it helpful to reread some monographs that I admire to reflect on what works well, especially in terms of structuring the introduction and conclusion.

Academic writing guides

These can also be sources of inspiration. Helen Sword’s books on academic writing are excellent and she also has some free writing tools and videos . Here are two more resources I’ve found helpful for writing and editing:

The Thesis Whisperer – This site is useful for thesis writing pointers as well as general academic writing tips.

Publish Not Perish / Jenn McClearen – A newsletter with a back catalogue of posts that includes tips on all aspects of academic writing.

Valuable tips

Picking up on my earlier point about recognising the pressures of the post-PhD period, here’s the advice I’ve found most helpful.

Carve out writing and editing time

“ Mechanical Clock 9 – by Eric Freitas ” by Kotomi_ is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 .

I have found online writing retreats vital to gaining momentum with my editing because they force me to sit down, focus, and work in regular blocks. I even volunteered to run a series of them to squeeze more into my calendar. Even if you don’t join a writing group, you could try marking out blocks of writing and editing time in your calendar as well as planned deadlines for chapters or sub-chapters (which work even better if you tell someone about them for accountability!).

Look into post-PhD funding and other kinds of support

While there are major postdoctoral funders that provide longer-term fellowships (e.g. Leverhulme, British Academy), these almost exclusively require you to start work on a new project. However, your period or discipline may have societies or associations that provide small pots of research funding to early career academics for developing existing projects or publications (e.g. the Royal Historical Society ). Some will cover expenses for research trips (ideal if needed for expanding your monograph), while others may fund proposal writing or even monograph editing. Some have early career memberships and fellowships that provide other benefits to recent PhD graduates, such as academic affiliation, library access, or networking and mentoring opportunities.

Keep connected to others

I’ve found academic and peer networks in the form of writing groups, societies, conferences, and PhD/Early Career Researcher friends even more important in the post PhD-period. Whether it’s through presenting and getting feedback on your research, swapping proposals or chapter drafts with someone, or just venting about how it’s all going, don’t underestimate the value of sharing your work-in-progress with others.

Heather Hind Heather Hind ’s monograph will be the first book-length study of Victorian hairwork – the crafting of decorative objects from human hair – and its presence in British literature of the period, with chapters that focus on works by Charlotte and Emily Brontë, Wilkie Collins, and Margaret Oliphant. Her broader interests are in nineteenth-century literature, material culture, textiles and handicrafts, and object-led and embodied methodologies.

About Emma Claire Sweeney

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Cambridge Libraries

Study Skills

Research skills.

Searching the literature
Note making for dissertations
Research Data Management
Copyright and licenses
Publishing in journals

Publishing academic books

Depositing your thesis
Research metrics
Build your online profile
Finding support

key considerations when turning your thesis into a monograph
how to choose the best publisher for you
how Open Access monographs work
how to write a great proposal
what to expect from the peer review and publishing process

To complete this section, you will need:

Approximately 60 minutes.
Access to the internet. All the resources used here are available freely.
Some equipment for jotting down your thoughts, a pen and paper will do, or your phone or another electronic device.

Turning your thesis into a monograph

This video explores what is required if you want to turn your thesis into a monograph and some key questions to ask yourself.

Resources I mentioned:

blog about Katelyn Knox’s experience of turning her thesis into a book
William Germano’s book Dissertation to book
information about thesis access options
Slides and notes for 'From thesis to monograph'

Choosing a publisher

Getting the right publisher is going to make a big difference in your experience of publishing a book.

This video from the University of Warwick library outlines the process of choosing a publisher in 5 steps.

If you are unsure about whether a publisher is trustworthy and right for you, this checklist by Think.Check.Submit. will be helpful in evaluating your options.

What about agents?

While academic publishers are happy to consider proposals coming directly from authors, an agent can help you select the best publisher for your needs, write a good proposal, revise the work following review, and negotiate with the editor. Naturally, agents will require compensation and they are likely to only be interested in books with significant commercial potential.

If you do decide to look for an agent, make sure you find one with a good reputation and track record. Read the acknowledgements of books you admire to see if the author thanked an agent, or ask for recommendations from colleagues.

Open Access publishers

Just like with journal articles, we’re seeing a growing movement to make access to monographs free and unrestricted. Let’s make this clear straight away: Open Access publishers are NOT the same as vanity presses! Reputable Open Access publishers have rigorous peer review and quality control and offer quality products, just like legacy publishers.

The Office of Scholarly communication website contains lots of helpful information on Open Access monographs, including an overview , OA publishing options , costs , and funders’ positions .

This talk by Rupert Gatti explains in detail how your book can ‘be more’ through an Open Access publishing model. Do you agree with him that Open Access publishing can improve research methodology?

Let’s explore what an Open Access Book works. Take a look at this book published by Open Book Publishers and explore the data about how this book has been used to try to answer the following questions.

How much do the digital version and the hardback version cost?
What is the title of the second chapter?
How many times was it downloaded from Google Books views?
How many times was it downloaded in Brazil?

To find the answers, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Writing a proposal

Each publisher has its own specific requirements for proposals, so make sure you check their website and follow their guidance closely. In general terms, however, a proposal typically includes the following:

Title. Keep it simple, consider what would make a reader select your book from a library catalogue or bookshelf.
Short summary. Concision is key here, focus on a few key points.
Background. Remember that the editor is not necessarily an expert in your particular field. Explain the scope and methodology and set your book into the context of the whole field. A selected bibliography may be helpful.
Target audience. Be realistic and specific. It may be helpful to highlight if your book could be used for a particular course, or if it is likely to attract an interdisciplinary audience.
Business case. Why does it make sense for the publisher to invest in your book? Why will people want to read it? Can you cite similar books that have been successful in the past?
Author's CV. Why are you the right person to write this book? Highlight the reasons why people will want to hear what you have to say. If based on a thesis, can you cite some praise or the number of download requests?
Practical considerations. Think about aspects of production that will matter to the editor. For instance, how long do you expect the completed manuscript to be? When will it be completed? Will you require many colour images? Can you suggest any reviewers?
Table of contents. You should have a clear idea of the overall structure of your book, though of course this may change following review.

In this video, Jay Phoenix Singh shows you exactly how he composed two successful proposals.

The peer review and publishing process

So what can you expect from the whole process of publishing a monograph? This video gives you an overview of the key stages.

Slides and notes for 'The publishing process'

Answers

Here are the answers for the Open Access publishers activity. They were gathered on 18 September 2023 and may have changed slightly since.

The digital copies are free, the paperback costs £19.95 and the hardback costs £34.95
The second chapter is titled ‘Emancipation through Open Education: Rhetoric or Reality?’
Google Book View had 6066 downloads (the number may have increased slightly)
Brazil had 219 downloads (the number may have increased slightly)

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University of Houston Libraries

Scholarly publishing, monograph publishing.

Finding a Publisher
Publishing Process & Peer Review
Writing a Proposal
Advice from the Field

The process of proposing and publishing a monograph is highly particular to a scholar's field and career situation. This guide offers a set of trusted resources that orient you to the general process. For personalized guidance, please contact contact Taylor Davis-Van Atta , Director of the Digital Research Commons at UH Libraries.

Resources that provide advice on selecting publishers:

Publisher of OA Books Wiki This is a trusted, up-to-date directory of Open Access Monograph publishers.
Subject Area Grid from the Associate University Presses The Association of University Presses publishes this subject grid annually. Use the grid to help you identify presses that publish in your field.
Think Check Submit This site includes a series of questions you can ask yourself to help you walk through the process of being a savvy author and avoiding untrustworthy publishers. It is the joint effort of a large number of trusted organizations involved in scholarly communications.

Library Resources:

Best Practices for Peer Review, Association of University Press While this handbook was written for and by scholarly publishers, the overview of the peer review process is informative to all participants in scholarly book publishing.
Guide to open access monograph publishing for arts, humanities and social science researchers This guide is from OAPEN-UK (Online Library & Publication Platform). It helps researchers to understand the opportunities and challenges of publishing a scholarly monograph in open access.

Most academic presses require you to submit a proposal for your monograph in order to initiate the publishing process. Presses should make their proposal guidelines available on their website. If they do not, you may contact the press to request their guidelines. Below are a few examples. You will want to seek out guidelines from presses in your field and follow them closely as you begin the process.

Harvard University Press proposal guideliness Provides advice around the basic components and considerations in a book proposal, specific to Harvard University Press
Oxford University Press proposal guidelines Outlines the process for crafting and submitting a monograph proposal to Oxford University Press

Library Resources

Jane Friedman.com Jane Friedman reports and consults on publishing industry. Her blog provide advice on a wide range of topics related to book publishing.
Give It a Rest An article written by Laura Portwood-Stacer. The article discusses why you shouldn't immediately try to convert your dissertation into a book.
Scholars Talk Writing Series, Chronicle of Higher Education This is a continuing series on Chronicle of Higher Education. In this series, Rachel Toor, a professor of creative writing at Eastern Washington University’s writing program, interviews scholars about their writing process and influences.
Why it is important to write a book proposal for an academic book? Rachel Toor tells you why it is important to write a book proposal, and the elements you should include.
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Next: Monograph Publisher Contracts or Agreements >>
Find Information for a Journal
Journal Finder or Matcher
Advice from Publishers & Practitioners
Publishing with Open Access Journals
Sharing on Preprint Servers
Monograph Publisher Contracts or Agreements
From Dissertation to Monograph
Reference Managers
Last Updated: Dec 16, 2022 8:56 AM
URL: https://guides.lib.uh.edu/scholarly_publishing

University of Memphis Libraries
Research Guides

Scholarly Communications

Publishing academic monographs.

Publishing Academic Articles

Academic Monographs

Monograph publishing process, monograph resources.

Publishing Edited Collections
Journal-Level Metrics
Author-Level Metrics
Article-Level Metrics
Non-Academic Publishing
OA Journals
OA Repositories
Open Educational Resources (OER)

More commonly found in the humanities, monographs are academically rigorous publications that dive deeply into a singular topic. These books are heavily researched and written for other scholars looking to understand the nuances of a complex argument. These formal manuscripts are typically published by academic publishing companies such as Oxford University Press.

What's The Process? How Do I Get Published?

A much more in-depth work than a journal article, a monograph requires a more rigorous process of publication. Whether you are converting your dissertation to a monograph or starting on your topic from scratch, expect to spend at least a couple of years working through the publishing process. While there are differences in process between publishers, be ready to work through these stages of publication:

Writing Your dissertation (If you are converting your dissertation)
Planning Your Draft
Working on Your Manuscript: Drafting and Revising
Preparing and Submitting Your Monograph’s Proposal
Negotiating a Book Contract
Preparing a Final Manuscript
Final Touches and Copyediting
Marketing Your Monograph

Check out these online resources on monographs:

Academic Book Titles: How to Title Your Monograph, based on 188 Titles
The 7 Stages of Publishing Your First Academic Book, Challenges & Tips
Do monographs have a future? Publishers, funders and research evaluators must decide
<< Previous: Publishing Academic Articles
Next: Publishing Edited Collections >>
Last Updated: Feb 21, 2024 11:17 AM
URL: https://libguides.memphis.edu/scholcomm

Four top tips for turning your PhD into a book

Kent law school alumna dr serena natile shares her experience of turning a phd thesis into a monograph with current kent law school phd scholar elena caruso and offers four key points of reflection..

By Andrea Shieber | 17 July 2020

Dr Serena Natile is a Lecturer in Socio-Legal Studies at Brunel Law School, where she teaches Public Law, International Law, Gender & Law, Finance & Society and Research Methods. Serena completed her PhD at KLS in December 2016, passing her viva with no corrections. Her PhD thesis ‘ Mobile Money and the Limits of Financial Inclusion: A Gender Analysis of M-Pesa in Kenya’ was supervised by Professor Toni Williams and Professor Donatella Alessandrini and examined by Professor Judy Fudge and Professor Ambreena Manji.

During her time at Kent Law School, Serena taught on a number of modules, worked as a research assistant on various projects and served for three years on the steering committee of the Kent Centre for Race, Sexuality and Gender Justice. Serena has recently published a revised version of her PhD thesis: The Exclusionary Politics of Digital Financial Inclusion: Mobile Money, Gendered Walls as part of the RIPE Series in Global Political Economy by Routledge.

Four points of reflection:

Writing a good PhD thesis : a well-structured and clearly written thesis with clear question(s), narrative and argument(s) is a key starting point for publishing PhD research. While the decision to publish the PhD thesis as a book rather than a series of articles is related to the research topic, scope and approach (when, for instance, all chapters are interconnected and necessary to frame the central argument), the process of developing a good PhD project depends on various factors and the role of the supervisors is particularly important. Building a relationship of trust with the supervisors, feeling supported but free to explore different topics and methods, listening and engaging with them and with the broader academic community is a significant aspect of this journey
Building academic relations : all doctoral students know that a PhD is a combination of interaction and isolation. Academic interactions are developed via conversations, presentations, conferences, blogs and social media: they are useful to test ideas and develop arguments but also to make your research known and start positioning yourself within the academic debates you would like to contribute to and be recognised for. Building these networks is important to establish contacts with publishers (receiving an invitation to submit a book proposal facilitates the editorial process); understand the different options available (there are various options to consider: from book series, to editorial approach to format and availability of the manuscript), define your contribution (a section of the book proposal asks specifically to discuss ‘similar/competing titles’); facilitate dissemination and build collaborations for future projects.
Paying attention to the broader audience : engaging with feedback and particularly with the ‘negative’ and challenging ones is an important step in many academic projects and is a crucial part of turning the PhD into a book. A book is different from the PhD thesis because the scope and audience are broader. The PhD thesis is aimed at fulfilling the requirements to be awarded a doctoral degree, the book is aimed at contributing to particular debates while engaging the wider public. The language and structure need to be clear, coherent and to the point, and the arguments well-supported. Rewriting the introduction and parts of the PhD thesis, adding or cutting a chapter, signposting ideas and having short and sharp titles are necessary steps of the editing process. It’s important to take time to think about and address the comments to the book proposal/sample chapters made by the editors and reviewers and to plan very carefully the work to be done on the manuscript liaising with the editorial team throughout. Asking friends and colleagues outside the field to read chapters is also a very useful exercise to clarify points and make the argument stronger.
Try to stick to a reasonable timeframe : in the broader picture of collective production of knowledge, books always represent a work in progress as they draw on existing research and create new insights. Early career scholars have a lot of pressure to publish while often working on precarious contracts and applying for jobs and grants. However, besides these structural issues that would require a more complex discussion, it is helpful to have a reasonable timeframe and try to realise the best possible work within a defined amount of time. The first book is important and creates a lot of pressure particularly to position our work in crucial academic debates. However, it’s also important not to wait too long to share it with the wider public because the exciting part comes afterwards. Setting deadlines with the editors and possible proofreaders and prioritising it over other (seemingly more exciting) new projects helps with sticking to deadlines. Updating and reworking parts of the PhD thesis can be stressful at times, but publishing it as a book gives you a sense of completion and encourages and facilitates future projects.

Hear more from Dr Natile in this conversation about her experience with Elena:

To find out more about studying postgraduate law at Kent Law School, visit our website . As a PhD scholar at Kent, you can choose to study a PhD in Law or a PhD in Socio-legal Studies .

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Monographs: a path to publishing your thesis or dissertation

This blog post was written by Eleonora Joensuu, PhD

As you approach the end of your graduate work, you may be starting to consider and wonder about the possibility of publishing your thesis or dissertation as a book. Each publisher has their own process, but I am here to share my experiences publishing my doctoral dissertation with a major academic publisher in the hopes that it offers some insight into what the process may be like.

I had the unusual and lucky situation of having the name and direct email address of an editor at the publisher that a colleague of mine had worked closely with on their own book project. Being proactive is important so as to minimize the work on their end and so I chose to send the book proposal with my first email rather than waiting for them to express interest in reading the proposal. The book proposal includes:

A statement of the problem my research is responding to
An overview of my project and approach
Table of contents that includes a brief summary of each chapter
Timeline for completion, including word counts for each chapter
Intended audience

This publisher did not have specific requirements for the proposal, but some publishers do. Check their websites for proposal guidelines before submitting.

Though having the direct contact of an editor is not a typical route, it is still one to consider. Do you know colleagues that have published a book and might they have a contact to share with you? Is there a subject field you read/research with a series published on a relevant topic that had editors you might reach out to?

Other strategies for reaching out to publishers:

Major conferences (e.g., Congress) have most of the big academic publishers attending. And that means that there are also acquisitions editors attending. If you are going to be attending a major conference where publishers will be present (e.g., selling at a book fair), reach out to them ahead of the conference and ask for a meeting to pitch your project. Even better is if you are presenting—invite the acquisitions editor to your presentation.
Put those research skills to use! Look at publisher websites. Google “publish with [name of publishing house]”. If you aren’t sure where to publish, take a look at your own bookshelves or books in your research area—who is publishing work in your field? Most publisher websites have a list of acquisitions editors and their contact information, each assigned to a specific discipline area. If they don’t, they usually have information on what their process is for sending in a proposal.

During your graduate studies, it may be useful to consider doing the following to get you ready for when it’s time to contact publishers:

Save any material that gets cut from the dissertation during the writing, revising, and defense stage. One of the first questions the publisher asked me was whether what I was pitching to them was the exact same as what the university library would publish in their dissertation repository. If it was the same, they were not interested. However, because I had saved material and had an idea of how I could turn it into a new chapter, I could tell the publisher in concrete and specific terms how I would distinguish the book project from the dissertation. Many publishers, unfortunately, must think about the bottom line and if you are asking them to publish and sell a book that is available for free via a library, they have little incentive to publish it.
Even if you don’t have material to cut, keep a running log of ideas, issues, concerns that you might want to add in revising into a book project. Just like my point above, this will allow you to tell the publisher how your book project is different than the library copy that is available to the public.
Consider applying for a thesis publication postponement . This will give you time to shop out your book to publishers and you can confidently tell them that the book is not available in its dissertation form for at least a year.

The publishing process

After sending the proposal in, the editor expressed interest and asked for my CV, as well as some further clarifications on the best disciplinary fit for the book. From there, I was asked to send two sample chapters that were then sent to reviewers. The number of reviewers varies heavily across publishers and so this stage can take some time depending on how many reviewers have to read your work and make recommendations.

In my case, the reviews came back favourably. From here, the project went to the publishing editorial board where the lead editor presented my project and the reviews, and the board voted on the project. If approved, you are sent a contract with details on timelines, delivery expectations, royalties, and the like. The work from here onwards included finishing my writing and revising as laid out in my proposal and contract, working with an editor and proofreader, and approving layouts and book covers.

Overall, the publication process took 14 months from when I first emailed the editor to when the book was published. The most important thing I learned is to be bold in approaching publishers! You never know what might happen.

Preparing a monograph (traditional) thesis

In addition to the wider requirements set out for all theses, there are further elements to consider when preparing a monograph-style thesis.

You must adhere to the thesis word count set by your school, department or centre. For more information, please see your departmental PGR handbook .

[email protected] +44 (0)1904 325962 Student Hub, Information Centre Basement, Market Square

Sequence of material

The following drop-down box contains the recommended sequence of material within a monograph thesis. Requirements may vary slightly between departments, centres or schools, but starred (*) items must appear in every thesis.

Title and subtitle*

Abstract* , list of contents*:.

List of Contents
List of Tables (if any)
List of Figures (if any)
List of Illustrations (if any)
List of Accompanying Material (if any)
Preface (if any)
Acknowledgements (if any)
Declaration
all relevant sub-divisions of the thesis, including the titles of chapters, sections and subsections;
Appendices (if any)
Abbreviations and/or Glossary (if any)
Reference List and/or Bibliography
Index (if any) If a thesis consists of more than one volume, the contents of the whole thesis should be shown in the first volume and the contents of subsequent volumes in a separate contents list in the following volumes.

List of tables, list of figures, list of illustrations, etc

List of accompanying material , acknowledgements, author's declaration*, glossary and/or abbreviations, reference list and/or bibliography*, page headers.

Page headers may be used but, for ease of reading, it is recommended that the font used is smaller than the main body of the text and that no underline is used. Headers should not include personal information, such as your name or student number.

Headings should be used to indicate the hierarchical structure of the text. There should normally be not more than four levels, including the chapter headings as the first level. It is recommended that each level is distinguished from the others by position or typography, or both, and that the space that precedes and follows a heading is not less than the space between paragraphs. Headings should not normally be centred (except, possibly, for chapter and part headings).

When using numbers in your thesis, the following format is recommended.

Arabic numerals should normally be used for numbering all sequences within a thesis.
For ease of reading, it is recommended that page numbers are visibly clear of the text.
The pages of the thesis should be numbered in a single sequence. The title page of the thesis should be page 1, but the numbering should be hidden. The abstract should be page 2 and so on sequentially throughout the thesis, including pages that carry tables, illustrations, appendices, etc.
For theses comprising more than one volume, the numbering should be continuous across all volumes (again, the title page of the second volume should be counted but hidden).
The use of blank pages should be avoided, if possible.
Chapters should be numbered from the start to the finish of the thesis, continuing across volumes if necessary. Appendices should be numbered in a separate sequence from that used for chapters.
Illustrations should be numbered consecutively in a single sequence, generally without distinguishing between different kinds of illustration.
Tables or figures within the text should be numbered consecutively in a single sequence, each separate from illustrations.

Illustrations

An illustration should normally appear near the first reference made to it in the text. The desirability of grouping illustrations at the back of a volume or in a separate volume should be considered if they:

need to be compared with one another
are referred to frequently in the text
need to be separate because of their nature, eg their size or method of production.

Illustrations should be of a technical quality that reproduces well.

Every illustration, including appendices, should be included in the list of illustrations with page numbers or other identification. It is recommended that any label within an illustration is positioned so that the part it applies to cannot be confused with any other, or linked to the part by a thin line; the lettering should be large and clear enough to be legible if reproduced. A short legend should appear beneath each illustration.

Monographs and edited collections

This page explains how to publish a monograph open access, and highlights resources to help you do so.

Useful links

Read about open access publication routes

Learn about paying for open access monographs costs

Learn about how to publish book chapters open access

Access the open access books toolkit website

What is a monograph?

A monograph is an in-depth work of academic writing, focusing on one specific subject or an aspect of a subject. Longer than an article, it is published as a single volume.

A monograph presents primary research and original scholarship and usually has a specialist readership. This makes it different from a textbook, which presents existing knowledge of a subject and is aimed at those who are learning about the field.

The benefits of open monographs

You might be considering open access because your funder requires it for long-form works, but there are other good reasons for doing this.

Open monograph publication has many benefits compared with traditional monograph publishing.

Increased accessibility: By making your research available in an open access format, you can expand its reach beyond those who have access to print edition books or institutional subscriptions to digital copies.
Greater impact: By removing paywalls and other restrictions, open monographs can reach a larger audience. Open access books are downloaded on average ten times more frequently than non-open access books and cited 2.4 times more often (source: Springer Nature ).
Flexibility: Open monographs can be published in a variety of formats, including print-on-demand, PDF and HTML. This allows you to choose the format that best suits your needs and the needs of your readers.
Innovative publishing models: Open monograph publishing is still a relatively new field, meaning you can experiment with innovative publishing models and technologies.
Greater control: When you retain the copyright to your work, you have greater control over how it is used and how you can reuse your own published research. By providing an open access licensed edition or a 'green' open access/self-archived deposit, you can ensure that your work remains accessible to researchers long after a print run has ended.

The challenges of open monographs

Open book publishing is an emerging field, so authors may encounter challenges that do not arise in traditional monograph publishing such as the cost of publication, and third-party copyright and open licensing.

Authors may also have concerns about the reputation and prestige of open access publication. There are many publishers that now publish open access books - from large traditional publishers to university presses, to small new open access presses. The review and publication process for open access books should be as rigorous and extensive as traditionally published books.

Including other people’s copyright work in open monographs and other research publications

It is likely that you will want to include work created by other people in your monograph that will be protected by copyright. For example, images, quotations or figures from other publications. This is referred to as ‘third party copyright’ material and it is a good idea to think about this early in the process of writing any scholarly work. The principles of addressing third party copyright in research publications are the same whether the output is openly licensed or not.

Go to the Bodleian Libraries' guidance on copyright

UKRI have provided specific guidance on addressing third party copyright in research publications which addresses common questions about open monographs and the UKRI open access monographs policy. It also includes template documents and text to support rights clearance and risk management.

Read Jisc's UKRI guide on third party copyright

If you have any additional questions about incorporating third party copyright in your work please contact [email protected] .

Funders who include long form publications in their open access policy

Open book case studies.

There are as many journeys to open access as there are researchers and books - below are the journeys of a few Oxford authors.

Case study: The early career researcher

Dr Matthew Kerry

For an early career researcher, the publication of their first monograph is a pivotal moment, one that can potentially shape their future career. While many early career researchers recognize the benefits of open access and support expanding accessibility, the question remains: does open access publishing confer the desired level of prestige that these researchers seek for their debut monograph?

Dr Matthew Kerry, an Associate Professor at the Faculty of History in Oxford and a tutorial fellow at Jesus College, grappled with these questions when seeking to publish his first monograph, based on his doctoral research thesis. He was inspired by the open access ethos and wanted to publish a book that people could read, not one priced well out of most people’s reach.

Beyond concerns of prestige and cost, early career researchers face the daunting task of navigating the often opaque and bewildering world of book publishing. Matthew encountered difficulties marketing and explaining his work to potential publishers. His work focused on 1930s Spain before the Civil War.

The New Historical Perspectives series

The New Historical Perspectives series, commissioned and edited by the Royal Historical Society, in association with University of London Press and the Institute of Historical Research is a series of history monographs tailored to new authors, including recent Ph.D. graduates. It provides extensive feedback and support, an experience that Matthew found supportive and navigable. This scheme is supported by Oxford University.

The series employs an intensive workshopping process that involves submitting a book proposal, chapter outline, and sample writing for peer review. Upon acceptance, Matthew worked on the full manuscript, which was then subject to a rigorous review by specialists arranged by the publisher. This in-depth feedback process resembled a second viva examination and allowed Matthew to further refine his manuscript before publication.

Matthew was reassured by the prestige conferred by a University Press – and as this series publishes open access under a ‘diamond’ model Matthew did not have to pay a fee (or ‘book processing charge’) to make his work open access. Instead, the scheme is sustained through institutional memberships.

Due to open publication, Matthew's work was easily accessible to readers globally. The book experienced an initial swell in readership, followed by a long tail of sustained interest, demonstrating that open access content allows for ongoing discovery.

'Unite, Proletarian Brothers! Radicalism and Revolution in the Spanish Second Republic' by Matthew Kerry is available from University of London Press. This book is published open access through the "New Historical Perspectives" series.

Unite, Proletarian Brothers! Radicalism and Revolution in the Spanish Second Republic

'Unite, Proletarian Brothers! Radicalism and Revolution in the Spanish Second Republic' available from University of London Press

Case study: Open access publishing and convenience

Eleanor Peers

The benefits of open access are well known – increased accessibility, greater impact, public benefit – but these often seem to come with the price of greater effort. Open access can be seen by researchers as an extra imposition. However, open access does not need to be more difficult than traditional publishing - but can even be the choice of convenience.

Eleanor Peers, the Subject Consultant for Slavonic and East European Studies at the Social Science Library of the Bodleian Libraries, contributed a chapter for an edited anthropology volume on lifestyle in Siberia and the Russian north. After publication of this volume was delayed for several years, word of mouth and a positive recommendation from a colleague led the authors to publish this volume via Open Book Publishers (OBP), an open access publishing house.

Whilst the authors considered open access a benefit, this choice was driven by the desire to publish their work via a reputable publishing platform rather than a commitment to open access principles.

Open book publishers

Open Book Publishers (OBP) is a non-profit, scholar led, fully open access publisher specializing in the Humanities and Social Sciences in the UK. They don't impose charges on authors for making their work open access. Instead, they sustain their publications through library memberships, grants, and the sale of hard copy editions of their books. This scheme is supported by Oxford University.

OBP offered a straightforward and easy publishing experience for Eleanor and her co-authors, successfully navigating the sometime challenging aspects of open access publication, including reuse licenses, copyright, and funding.

Lifestyle in Siberia and the Russian North

Eleanor’s chapter ‘Soviet Kul’tura in Post-Soviet Identification: The Aesthetics of Ethnicity in Sakha (Yakutia)’ can be found in the edited volume ‘Lifestyle in Siberia and the Russian North’ published open access via Open Book Publishers.

'Lifestyle in Siberia and the Russian North' available via Open Book Publishers

Case study: Open access and the digital form

Professor Caroline Warman

Open access books can be published in a variety of formats, including print-on-demand, ebook, and HTML, allowing authors to choose the format that best suits their needs and the needs of their readers. This increased flexibility enables authors to make multi-media enriched works that would not be possible in a traditionally published hardcopy book.

Professor Caroline Warman is Professor of French Literature and Thought at the University of Oxford, and has written extensively on French literature of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.

Caroline's introduction to open access book publishing occurred whilst translating on a project that involved multimedia elements such as musical pieces, and complex linkages within the work – elements that would be impossible to replicate in a hardcopy format. The online format best suited this content's intricate nature, and a positive experience with the publisher, Open Book Publishers (OBP) brought open publishing to Caroline’s attention.

Open Book Publishers

The positive experience Caroline had with OBP has led to an ongoing partnership. When deciding on the publication of a complex monograph on Diderot, a subject with much of the potential audience in Europe, Caroline had considered a traditional publication that may be more prestigious on its face but would radically limit the works impact and accessibility – and so with the positive experiences of OA publication and its benefits Caroline published this work OA through Open Book Publishers, helping to open it to a global readership.

Denis Diderot 'Rameau's Nephew'

The Atheist's Bible

Caroline Warman co-translated ‘Denis Diderot 'Rameau's Nephew' - 'Le Neveu de Rameau': A Multi-Media Bilingual Edition’, and is the author of ‘The Atheist's Bible: Diderot's 'Éléments de physiologie' , both published open access via Open Book Publishers, amongst other works.

‘Denis Diderot 'Rameau's Nephew' available via Open Book Publishers

‘The Atheist's Bible: Diderot's 'Éléments de physiologie' available via Open Book Publishers

Case study: Open access and global dissemination 

Academic monographs and edited collections can be expensive, restricting access to a limited number of academic institutions. Research institutions and researchers across the world, especially in the global south, can become locked out from accessing these research outputs. This can be doubly damaging when the research contained in these books is focused on, and co-produced with researchers from, those countries. Open access can democratise access - reaching not only fellow researchers but also government bodies, charitable organizations, and individual scholars who may lack access to traditionally published scholarly works.  

Global Urban Transformations series

Professor Michael Keith, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society and co-Director of the Oxford Programme for the Future of Cities, and Professor Sue Parnell of Bristol University, are co-editors for the Global Urban Transformations series. This series showcases ESRC-funded research compiled from workshops held across the world, in Rio, Quito, Cape Town, Beijing and at Oxford, that brought together leading urban writers. The result of those meetings materialised with two edited collections:  “ African Cities and Collaborative Futures: Urban Platforms and Collaborative Logistics ” and “ Urban Transformations and Public Health in the Emergent City ” edited by Michael and Dr Andreza De Souza Santos, Research Associate at the Latin American Centre and Director of Kings’ Brazil Institute (with more works to come).

Michael and Andreza wished to make this book series open access, to make material available to policy makers and an audience that was global, whilst also being keen to publish with an academic press that offered a full academic publishing cycle and the rigour of full peer-review.  

Manchester University Press 

Manchester University Press (MUP) is a well-established press (founded in 1903) specialising in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Whilst MUP is primarily a publisher of traditionally published books, it has been active supporting and developing Open access (OA) publishing for over a decade and is one of the largest University Press publishers of OA books. MUP has a strong basis in development studies and urban studies, and their academic press offered thoughtful and innovative engagement in considering audiences for the research.   

These books were made OA under a Gold OA model with funding support from the ESRC. Besides the digital open access version there is the option to buy a physical book in hardcopy, an important consideration for the editors. Thanks to open access publication, the reach of this work is expanded beyond those who have access to print edition books or institutional subscriptions to digital copies and can be read widely in the covered regions.  

Open monograph resources

Oa books toolkit.

This toolkit aims to help authors to better understand open access book publishing and to increase trust in open access books. It organises articles according to different stages in the research lifecycle.

The OAPEN Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation based at the National Library in The Hague, dedicated to open access, peer-reviewed books. They run OAPEN Library, the OA Books Toolkit and DOAB.

Community-led Open Publication Infrastructures for Monographs is an international partnership of researchers, universities, librarians, open access book publishers and infrastructure providers. It is building community-owned, open systems and infrastructures to enable open access book publishing to flourish.

The Directory of Open Access Books is a community-driven discovery service that indexes and provides access to scholarly, peer-reviewed open access books and helps users to find trusted open access book publishers.

The Open Access Books Network

A forum for discussion around open access books, aimed at researchers, publishers, librarians and infrastructure providers.

Towards an Open Monograph Ecosystem is a US-based project aimed at changing the way monograph publishing in the humanities and social sciences is funded.

Open books and chapters on ORA

A collection of open access books and book sections available within the Oxford University Research Archive, including monographs, book chapters, edited collections, trade books, and more.

Demystifying Monographs: Definitions and Uses

This article provides a detailed exploration of monographs, specialised academic works that offer in-depth insights on a specific subject.

We delve into their classifications, significance in knowledge expansion, and challenges in production.

Furthermore, we glance at future trends shaping monograph publishing.

This comprehensive understanding of monographs serves as a crucial resource for students, scholars, and professionals alike.

Key Takeaways

A monograph is a specialist written work on a single subject or aspect of a subject, presenting original research and analysis.
Monographs are distinct from edited collections and are considered vital for career progression in many academic disciplines.
Monographs can be categorised based on their subject matter, such as scholarly monographs, research monographs, and thematic monographs.
Monographs play a crucial role in advancing knowledge and understanding, serving as valuable resources for academic research and scholarly publications.

Understanding the Basic Concept of Monographs

Frequently misunderstood, the basic concept of a monograph encompasses a comprehensive, in-depth written work that singularly focuses on a specific subject, playing a crucial role in academic research and the advancement of knowledge in various disciplines.

To define monograph, it is an extensive scholarly work written by a single author or a collaborative team, exploring a specific topic in great detail. The monograph definition extends beyond a mere textbook or an article, providing a thorough examination of the subject matter.

Understanding the basic concept of monographs helps in appreciating the depth of investigation and the level of expertise involved in their creation. Their importance lies in their capacity to present a comprehensive and authoritative perspective on an area of study, making them valuable resources in academic research.

Different Types and Classifications of Monographs

The exploration of different types and classifications of monographs provides an understanding of their diversity in content and format, and sheds light on their varying applications across academic and professional fields. Monographs hold a pivotal place in the academic world, acting as comprehensive overviews on specific subjects. They range from scholarly and research monographs to thematic, and subject-based ones such as history, scientific, or literary monographs.

Understanding these different types and classifications of monographs can assist scholars, researchers, and students in finding the most appropriate resources for their academic pursuits.

The Role and Significance of Monographs in Knowledge Expansion

Numerous scholars consider monographs as indispensable tools for expanding knowledge due to their comprehensive and in-depth examination of specific subjects. The role and significance of monographs in knowledge expansion cannot be overstated.

They provide detailed insights into specialised areas, often delving deeper than any other resource. Moreover, monographs enable the dissemination of original research and scholarly analysis to a wider audience. This encourages dialogue, promotes critical thinking, and stimulates further research.

Indeed, the contribution of monographs to the academic community and beyond is immense. They serve as a bedrock for new theories and ideas, fostering intellectual growth and innovation. Therefore, the continued usage and development of monographs are essential for the progression of knowledge across various disciplines.

Potential Challenges and Constraints in Monograph Production

Addressing issues such as limited readership, high production costs, and the time-consuming nature of research and writing are among the potential challenges and constraints in monograph production. Understanding the monograph meaning is essential to grasping these challenges.

A monograph, in essence, is a specialised scholarly work on a single subject, often written by a single author. The process of creating such a comprehensive work—researching, analyzing, and writing—can be arduous and costly.

Furthermore, given the specialised nature of monographs meaning, the readership is often limited to a specific academic or professional audience. This restricted audience, combined with the high costs and effort required for production, can produce significant challenges to the creation and dissemination of monographs.

Exploring the Future Trends in Monograph Publishing

As we delve into the future trends in monograph publishing, digitization and open access are emerging as key factors, and their influence on how these scholarly works are produced and distributed cannot be underestimated. Monography means the comprehensive, single-subject focus of a work, and this traditional definition is being challenged and enhanced by digital capabilities.

These trends potentially redefine the monograph, making it more dynamic, accessible, and collaborative, while maintaining its depth of focus and scholarly rigor.

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In conclusion, monographs hold a critical position in academic and research domains. They are specialised and comprehensive works that contribute significantly to knowledge expansion. Despite the challenges in their production and accessibility, their profound contribution remains undebatable.

The advent of digital technologies and open access platforms has brought promising developments for monograph publishing. These advancements promise a transformative future for monographs and ensure their continued relevance in scholarly discourse.

Overall, monographs play a vital role in advancing knowledge and will continue to do so in the digital age.

What Is the Difference between a Monograph and a Book?

A monograph is a detailed written study on a single specialised subject or aspect of it, often by a single author. In contrast, a book can cover a broader range of topics and may be written by multiple authors. Monographs are typically focused on academic or research topics, providing in-depth analysis and are often used to share new knowledge or findings within a specific field. Books, however, can span various genres, including fiction, general knowledge, or broad academic subjects, appealing to a wider audience.

How to Write a Monograph?

Writing a monograph involves conducting thorough research on a specific topic, analysing data, and presenting findings in detail. Start by defining a clear research question or objective. Conduct extensive literature review to understand existing work and identify gaps. Collect and analyse data relevant to your topic. Structure your monograph, typically including an introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. Write clearly and concisely, supporting your arguments with evidence. Finally, review and revise your manuscript for accuracy, coherence, and clarity before publication.

What Are some Examples of Monographs in Different Fields?

In the field of pharmacy and healthcare, a monograph might focus on the intricacies of “Non-Formulary Drugs: Policies, Challenges, and Patient Impact,” providing a detailed examination of how non-formulary drugs are managed within healthcare systems. In history, a work like “The Guns of August” by Barbara Tuchman delves into the first month of World War I. Biology could see a monograph such as a comprehensive study on “The Monarch Butterfly” by Karen Oberhauser. In economics, “Capital in the Twenty-First Century” by Thomas Piketty explores wealth concentration, while in anthropology, Jared Diamond’s “Guns, Germs, and Steel” analyses societal development

How Do Monographs Enhance a Healthcare Content Strategy?

Monographs, detailed studies focused on specific subjects like non-formulary drugs or new medical treatments, play a pivotal role in healthcare content strategies made by medical copywriting agencies by providing authoritative, in-depth information. They support evidence-based decision-making, educate healthcare professionals and patients on complex topics, and can guide policy formulation. Incorporating monographs into a content strategy ensures the dissemination of comprehensive, research-backed insights, fostering a well-informed healthcare community and enhancing the overall quality of healthcare information available.

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Scholarly Monographs, how to find them

What is a scholarly monograph, how do you find scholarly monographs, get library help.

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Mailing Address: Booth Library Eastern Illinois University 600 Lincoln Ave Charleston, IL 61920

Scholarly monographs can be found scattered throughout the stacks of Booth Library. Start by browsing the stacks in the subject area you're interested in. Books in the stacks are shelved according to their Library of Congress call number . Pictured: Murray, R. L., and Heumann, J. K. (2009). Ecology and popular film: Cinema on the edge. Albany, NY: SUNY Press. Most monographs will have a single author, but some will list co-authors, if the authors collaborated on the work.

Last Updated: Sep 18, 2023 8:58 AM
URL: https://eiu.libguides.com/monographs

PhD thesis types: Monograph and collection of articles

Starting PhD students often face a difficult choice. They have to decide whether they want to write their dissertation in the form of a monograph, or as a collection of journal articles. Some universities have strict requirements, not leaving a choice. But most offer both options. The decision is left to students and their supervisors and requires careful consideration.

Advantages of writing a monograph

Disadvantages of writing a monograph, advantages of a cumulative dissertation, disadvantages of a cumulative dissertation, checklist before deciding on a monograph or an article-based phd, writing a thesis as a monograph.

A monograph is a detailed study in one piece. Think of a book.

A monograph resembles an academic book. It typically has an introductory chapter, a methodology chapter, and a literature review chapter. Then, the empirical results of the PhD study are presented in several chapters of analysis. The final discussion and conclusion chapter wraps up the study.

A monograph is generally the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a PhD thesis.

In some countries, monographs are still the norm. In others, theses based on academic articles are becoming increasingly popular.

Writing a coherent thesis is easier: You can edit all chapters of your thesis until your submission deadline.
You can write very detailed empirical analyses. In contrast, many journals have word limits for their articles.
You gain valuable skills in writing and editing long (academic) texts. When you finish your PhD, you can even try to publish your monograph as a book.
You are never done. If you change something in Chapter 5, you might have to adjust Chapter 2 as well.
A PhD as a monograph does not automatically lead to journal publications. Journal publications are key indicators for academic careers.
Writing good, publishable articles for high-ranking academic journals is a skill. You are not developing these skills as part of your thesis writing process.

Writing a thesis as a collection of articles (cumulative dissertation)

A thesis based on a collection of articles is based on individual journal publications. Universities tend to require 3-5 academic articles, published or submitted to academic journals.

The specific regulations differ from university to university, so make sure that you check what applies to you!

Combined, the individual articles form the body of the thesis. Nonetheless, a PhD thesis in the form of articles begins with an introduction. Some also have an extra chapter here and there, which is not published as a journal article.

Then, the journal articles are packed together, and followed by a general conclusion that rounds up the thesis.

The overwhelming task of writing a PhD is divided into concrete parts. Many PhD students write one article every 9 to 12 months.
Once an article is published, you cannot edit it anymore. This saves you from obsessive perfectionism, editing your work over and over again.
You will have a head start in terms of publications. Publishing is a lengthy process. 3-5 completed articles at the end of your PhD is a big advantage.
Cumulative PhD theses are often less coherent than monographs. It is difficult to integrate independent journal articles into a coherent whole.
For each journal article, you need to develop a distinct theoretical framework. If the theory is not your forte, you might struggle with this.
In some countries, PhD theses based on articles are considered worth less than monographs, and are looked down upon.

There is no right or wrong. Both monographs and theses based on a collection of articles have advantages and disadvantages.

One is also not easier than the other. But one might be more suited to your specific situation.

When making a decision, ask yourself the following questions:

What are your university’s regulations when it comes to thesis types?
What is the reputation of both thesis types in your (national) context? And in the context in which you aspire to work in?
What is your strength? (conducting detailed empirical analyses vs abstract theoretical thinking)
What is your end goal? (a non-academic career vs. an academic career requiring high numbers of journal publications)
Which thesis type fits best with your research topic?

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For more tips on how to write good alt text, please visit the Poet Tool .

Requirements for Figures When differentiating elements in charts and graphs, do not just change the color, also change shapes and patterns, or provide other visual differentiation like direct segment labels.

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How to revise your thesis into a book

Springer Nature will consider submissions containing material that has previously formed part of a PhD or other academic thesis.

This includes those that have been made publicly available according to the requirements of the institution awarding the qualification. Theses should be nominated for publication by heads of department at internationally leading institutions.

Prospective authors should bear in mind that every PhD thesis will need to undergo rigorous revision in order to be published as a monograph with our press. To help with this revision, our editors have put together the following advice:

How do you go about planning the revisions, and when should you start?

Be aware that transforming your dissertation into a publishable book is a complex process that will take time and require some careful planning. Most authors take at least a year to complete a PhD-based book; however, this timeline may be extended if the book requires fresh data and new research.

You should only start working on your book proposal after you’ve submitted your thesis, defended it successfully, and completed your PhD program. This will allow you to look at the thesis with a fresh eye and to take into account any helpful feedback from your examiners as you develop your proposal.

Consider all the available formats. Depending on the subject and breadth of the topic, some proposals may develop into a full-length authored book (approximately 90,000 words), whilst for others a shorter format like Palgrave Pivot (25,000 to 50,000 words) may be suitable – for example a single-case or single-country study once they have been extracted out of any redundant or unnecessary content.

What’s the difference between the PhD Thesis and an Authored Book?

Audience: While a PhD thesis is meant to be read and scrutinized by your supervisors and examiners, the readership of your book will extend to the broader academic community, scholars and practitioners, who may not be specialized in or even familiar with your research topic.
Rationale: The motivation behind writing your book will need to be rethought to reflect the expectations of your new audience and should be clearly explained in the introduction. The objective is not to convince your examiners that you have what it takes to complete a PhD, but to make sure the book is coherent and your conclusions are persuasive.
Structure: Your introductory chapter should also offer readers a concise ‘preview’ of the various chapters. The conclusion should summarize your key findings and identify avenues for further research. Look over the table of contents in books which you would consider as related literature or competitors. How does their structure differ from the structure of your thesis? You should simplify and optimize your table of contents to present the material in a logical and accessible fashion.
Length: Monographs are typically much shorter than PhD theses. Separate chapters about the review of literature and research methodologies may be essential in a thesis, but will not be necessary in a book, as readers and experts in your field will be familiar already with both. References to the relevant literature can be moved to the endnotes of individual chapters, and what is not pertinent to advancing your own arguments can be removed. The methodology chapter should be reduced and merged with the introduction or omitted altogether.

Learn more about publishing German theses .

Tips for writing your textbook

Prerequisite knowledge: What topics or concepts should readers already be familiar with? Do you need to review these or provide further explanation?
Self-contained: Students typically want a one-stop resource so you should try to ensure that as much of the information that student needs is presented in your textbook.
Modular chapters: Students will likely dip in and out of the textbook rather than read it linearly from start to finish so try to make chapters self-contained where possible, so they can be understood out of context of the rest of the textbook.
Succinct and to the point: Keep focused on the course that the textbook is supporting and the topics that need to be covered. Avoid including less relevant topics, very advanced topics, explanations of concepts that students should already understand, and any other content that may not actually be useful to the student.
Didactic elements: Elements such as exercises, case studies, definitions and so on help break up the main chapter text and make it more engaging. Consider what didactic elements you want to include before you start writing so you can ensure that the main chapter text provides the right information to support the didactic element e.g. that a concept is adequately explained in order to answer an exercise question, or that theory is suitably described before a corresponding case study is given
Writing style: Textbooks can have a lighter, more conversational writing style than monographs and references works. Try to use active rather than passive sentences e.g. “It is believed by some physicians that…” becomes “Some physicians believe that…”
Online resources: If you have exercises, consider writing a solutions manual for instructors so they don’t have to work out all the solutions themselves. Are there data sets, spreadsheets, programs, etc., that would be useful for students to access so they can test concepts themselves? The same copyright issues apply for online resources as for the print book – see Obtaining Permissions for further information
Write a helpful Introduction: Explain who the textbook is for and how it should be used. Confirm the level of the students (e.g. 3rd year undergraduates). Confirm the course that the textbook supports. List any prerequisites or assumptions you have made about the student’s background knowledge. Explain how the textbook could be used. If applicable, identify core must-read chapters and chapters that are more advanced or optional; provide short summaries of the chapters (just a sentence or two)
Test your material as you write: Use your draft chapters as part of your lecture course and see how students respond to it. Do they understand the concepts you are explaining? Are they able to complete any exercises?

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Same But Different? Identifying Writing Challenges Specific to the PhD by Publication

First Online: 28 September 2022

Cite this chapter

Kristin Solli 3 &
Lynn P. Nygaard 4

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Is writing a PhD By Publication (PBP) a fundamentally different learning experience than writing a traditional thesis in the form of a monograph? Are the ‘typical challenges’ faced by a PBP writer substantively different from the challenges of writing a traditional thesis, or do they stem from an environment unfamiliar with the PBP, or simply similar challenges manifested differently? In this chapter, we seek to answer these questions by analysing 17 peer-reviewed articles written by PBP writers who describe and reflect on their own experiences of writing a PBP. Our analysis identifies three types of challenges that can be considered unique to PBP writers and inherently linked to the features of the genre: potentially losing ownership of the text and writing process, negotiating the relationship between stand-alone pieces and the thesis as a whole, and writing for different purposes and different audiences. We conclude the chapter by suggesting that these findings can help identify the type of institutional and supervisory support PBP writers need and by pointing to a need for further empirical research into how different thesis types shape doctoral trajectories.

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Solli, K., Nygaard, L.P. (2022). Same But Different? Identifying Writing Challenges Specific to the PhD by Publication. In: Chong, S.W., Johnson, N. (eds) Landscapes and Narratives of PhD by Publication. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04895-1_2

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Spanish and Portuguese

Mariana mazer, phd candidate in spanish, 1 of 15 clas graduate students awarded prestigious fellowships to support their research and creative work, marcus bach fellowship .

The Marcus Bach Fellowship , named for the 1942 University of Iowa graduate of the same name, is awarded to graduate students in the humanities to support the completion of an MFA project or doctoral dissertation. The fellowship’s goal is to foster intercultural communication and the understanding of diverse philosophies and religious perspectives.

Each fellow receives a semester of support including a $10,700 salary, a tuition scholarship for 2 semester hours credit, and more.

The five recipients for the 2024-25 school year are:

Caelainn Barr , Department of English (Nonfiction Writing Program), "Written in the Land" Barr’s project is a memoir grounded in archival research and interviews that explores the intersection of religion, spirituality in nature and family history. The work is set against the backdrop of conflict in in Northern Ireland.
Nathan Chaplin , Department of History, "Surveying the Tropics, Constructing the Heartland: Identify Formation in Nicaragua and the Midwest" Chaplin’s project investigates the alliances formed between Nicaraguan and Midwestern elites as they attempted to manage public health crises, state policy, and capital investment during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Spencer Jones , Department of English (Nonfiction Writing Program), “All Skillful in the Wars” Jones’s thesis explores political and theological tensions in the lives of radical-revolutionary schoolteachers Harriet Wheeldon and Simone Weil.
Xiaoyan Kang , Department of Theatre Arts, “The Words of Ants" Kang’s thesis takes the form of a play drawing inspiration from the 1983 script Nüshu, or the script of women. Through it, the playwright intends to explore how individual experiences are interpreted to serve a particular narrative.
Mariana Mazer , Department of Spanish and Portuguese, “The book as an object and container of multiple stories" Mazer’s dissertation explores the relationship between the book as a physical object and the narratives it contains, ultimately printing and binding eight copies of the finished thesis.

NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity working to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.

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COMMENTS

How to write a monograph?
Writing a monograph demands extensive reading around the topic you focus on. Academic monographs usually take years in the making, a PhD taking on average 7-8 years. Even a professional academic who might write a monograph in a year is drawing on years of experience and an existing extensive knowledge around the topic of the monograph.
5 Key Tips for Turning your PhD into a Successful Monograph
5 Key Tips for Turning your PhD into a Successful Monograph. Some PhD theses make for excellent books, allowing for the research to be distributed more widely, often providing a springboard for a successful academic career. However, it is important to remember that a book is a very different product from a thesis and not all good theses would ...
From PhD Thesis to Monograph: Tips for Editing Your First Book
Some will cover expenses for research trips (ideal if needed for expanding your monograph), while others may fund proposal writing or even monograph editing. Some have early career memberships and fellowships that provide other benefits to recent PhD graduates, such as academic affiliation, library access, or networking and mentoring opportunities.
How to write a monograph
That talk does not have to be even in the language in which you are going to write. Next best is to mull over the previous day what you are going to write the next day. Set a target for each writing session—and that target should be defined in terms of the number of words; say 500 words an hour. That way, each session will be productive.
PDF How to Turn Your Thesis into a Monograph
Summary. • Think about your book from the publisher's perspective. • Make sure you understand their requirements. • Be persistent. Summary. • Stop thinking about your thesis - this is now a book. • And think about your book from the publisher's (business) perspective.
LibGuides: Research skills: Publishing academic books
Welcome to this module on publishing your monograph, where we'll follow the whole process, from making the initial decisions, to what to do once you have the finished book in your hands. You'll learn: key considerations when turning your thesis into a monograph. how to choose the best publisher for you.
PDF Author Directions: Navigating your success from PhD to Book
through text regardless of the writing style, book readers will not. Therefore, it is likely that extensive re-writing will be required to retain and engage readers. Conclusion Turning your PhD into a book involves some obvious changes such as altering the title and cutting areas that are not necessary for a monograph.
Monograph Publishing
ISBN: 1440301220. Publication Date: 2019-11-05. Considered as the most consulted guide by writers looking for publishers! This is a yearly publication. The library has the book up to the most current edition. Writer's Market Guide to Getting Published by Writer's Digest Books Editors. Call Number: PN161 .W832 2010.
Publishing Academic Monographs
A much more in-depth work than a journal article, a monograph requires a more rigorous process of publication. Whether you are converting your dissertation to a monograph or starting on your topic from scratch, expect to spend at least a couple of years working through the publishing process.
Four top tips for turning your PhD into a book
Four points of reflection: Writing a good PhD thesis: a well-structured and clearly written thesis with clear question (s), narrative and argument (s) is a key starting point for publishing PhD research. While the decision to publish the PhD thesis as a book rather than a series of articles is related to the research topic, scope and approach ...
Monographs: a path to publishing your thesis or dissertation
Monographs: a path to publishing your thesis or dissertation. Published October 4, 2021 by Alison Moore. This blog post was written by Eleonora Joensuu, PhD. As you approach the end of your graduate work, you may be starting to consider and wonder about the possibility of publishing your thesis or dissertation as a book.
Authoring a PhD: How to Plan, Draft, Write and Finish a ...
This book draws on his experience in supervising more than 30 doctoral students over two decades, and in teaching a large inter-disciplinary course on 'Drafting and Writing a PhD' at the LSE over twelve years. In the field of study skills Patrick Dunleavy has also published Studying for A Degree (Macmillan, 1986).
Monograph-Style Theses and Dissertations
Choosing Monograph Style Choosing to write a thesis or dissertation as a monograph is left to the student, the student's degree-granting unit and supervising committee. The monograph style is especially appropriate for work that is best presented as a series of interrelated chapters. Even research work that could be submitted for
Preparing a monograph thesis
The pages of the thesis should be numbered in a single sequence. The title page of the thesis should be page 1, but the numbering should be hidden. The abstract should be page 2 and so on sequentially throughout the thesis, including pages that carry tables, illustrations, appendices, etc. For theses comprising more than one volume, the ...
Monographs and edited collections
A monograph is an in-depth work of academic writing, focusing on one specific subject or an aspect of a subject. Longer than an article, it is published as a single volume. A monograph presents primary research and original scholarship and usually has a specialist readership. This makes it different from a textbook, which presents existing ...
PDF TRANSFORMING YOUR PHD THESIS INTO A MONOGRAPH
monograph. Zélie Asava and Aoibhín de Búrca will talk about their experiences of using the research they undertook for their PhD theses when writing their monographs. This workshop will be of interest to students in the latter stages of their PhD and researchers who have completed a PhD.
Demystifying Monographs: Definitions and Uses
Writing a monograph involves conducting thorough research on a specific topic, analysing data, and presenting findings in detail. Start by defining a clear research question or objective. Conduct extensive literature review to understand existing work and identify gaps. Collect and analyse data relevant to your topic.
LibGuides: Scholarly Monographs, how to find them: Home
Scholarly monographs can be found scattered throughout the stacks of Booth Library. Start by browsing the stacks in the subject area you're interested in. Books in the stacks are shelved according to their Library of Congress call number. Pictured: Murray, R. L., and Heumann, J. K. (2009). Ecology and popular film: Cinema on the edge.
PhD thesis types: Monograph and collection of articles
A PhD as a monograph does not automatically lead to journal publications. Journal publications are key indicators for academic careers. ... The overwhelming task of writing a PhD is divided into concrete parts. Many PhD students write one article every 9 to 12 months. Once an article is published, you cannot edit it anymore. ...
Monograph v. manuscript: exploring the factors that influence English
ABSTRACT. Writing a doctoral thesis with publications or by publication (TBP) has become an increasingly popular choice for PhD candidates seeking a competitive edge in the post-doctoral job market. However, many candidates continue to write traditional chapter monographs. While research into the TBP has steadily grown over the past two decades, there remains few studies examining candidates ...
Writing the Manuscript
What's the difference between the PhD Thesis and an Authored Book? Audience: While a PhD thesis is meant to be read and scrutinized by your supervisors and examiners, ... Writing style: Textbooks can have a lighter, more conversational writing style than monographs and references works. Try to use active rather than passive sentences e.g.
Same But Different? Identifying Writing Challenges Specific to the PhD
The emergence and growing popularity of the PhD by Publication (PBP) has sparked considerable interest from researchers and commentators. Proponents claim that having students produce articles for publication rather than the more traditional monograph addresses problems of employability and lack of 'relevance' often associated with contemporary doctoral education (Boud & Lee, 2009; Thomson ...
The doctorate in pieces: a scoping review of research on the PhD thesis
In the public mind, a PhD thesis has traditionally been synonymous with a monograph, a book-length text consisting of several chapters (Kelly, Citation 2017). As Paltridge and Starfield (Citation 2020) highlight, however, the structure and formats of PhD theses have always been diverse across time, institutions, and disciplines. Although there ...
Mariana Mazer, PhD Candidate in Spanish, 1 of 15 CLAS graduate students
Marcus Bach Fellowship . The Marcus Bach Fellowship, named for the 1942 University of Iowa graduate of the same name, is awarded to graduate students in the humanities to support the completion of an MFA project or doctoral dissertation.The fellowship's goal is to foster intercultural communication and the understanding of diverse philosophies and religious perspectives.

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