Academic research is published in many different forms. Two of the most recognised research publication forms are monographs and journal articles. There are clear distinctions between these two publication formats, each with their own length and scope, publication timeline, and peer review processes. And both publication formats have unique advantages for researchers in terms of research goals and career implications.

Monographs vs journal articles

Monographs are comprehensive works focusing on a single subject, topic, or theme. Journal articles are less in-depth, prioritising the fast dissemination of data, findings, and methodologies, etc. These publication formats differ greatly in many areas, which we will now explore.

Length and scope

Journal articles are typically concise, prioritising speed of research dissemination and effective communication of ideas. They primarily focus on the key findings and implications, condensing large amounts of background information and research so that readers can quickly summarise what was done and what it means.

There are no absolute limits to length for journal articles, but MDPI generally recommends between 3000 and 12,000 words, or roughly 6 to 24 single-spaced pages.

When comapring monographs vs journal articles, it becomes clear that monographs are more of an invitation to pause and reflect. Authors can explore their research question extensively and integrate analyses of complex developments over extended periods of time for a more comprehensive picture of issues.

There is no specific word count for monographs, but short-form and full-length monographs are approx. 70–110 and 250–300 pages, respectively. More importantly, monographs must adhere to the word count agreed in the contract.

Publication timeline

As mentioned, journal articles are designed for rapid dissemination. The journal article submission process generally takes around 6–18 months, depending on the journal, field, and number of revision rounds.

For monographs, the process can take between 1–3 years. This is because the publication process for books is a lot more complex, involving the collaboration of several departments across design and editing. It is also dependent on research developing during the course of the writing period.

Peer review process

The peer review process for journal articles involves external reviewers assessing the paper’s originality, validity, and methodology. These factors are considered against the journal’s scope and editorial objectives. Typically, reviewers are asked to submit their review reports within weeks of the original submission.

Peer review for books typically takes longer and is more demanding for reviewers compared to journal article review. This is due to the length and complexity of book manuscripts, which require thorough evaluation and detailed feedback from reviewers. Feedback also needs to consider audience reception to the book beyond the researcher’s discipline, since the scope of a book is generally a lot broader than a research article.

Open access availability

Journal articles publishing has a standardised open access infrastructure that has been operating for several decades now. Generally, Article Processing Charges (APCs) are paid to the publisher by the author’s university or institutional funds to make the article freely available online. This is known as gold open access.

Historically, open access book publishing has lagged beyond open access journal publishing. The increased complexity of the publication process means that Book Processing Charges (BPCs) are higher than APCs. As a result, support for authors publishing scholarly books through gold open access is less established.

However, this is slowly changing. As of 2024, the UKRI Open Access Policy requires that URKI-funded long-form publications (inc. monographs) published after January 1^st 2024 must be made open access 12 months after publication. Elsewhere, European funding bodies such as DARIAH-EU are providing open access bursaries for early career researchers and underfunded scholars in the digital humanities looking to publish their first monograph.

Which publication format is for you?

As a researcher, how do you choose between a monograph vs a journal article? Well, the best publication format for your research depends on many factors, such as your discipline, career stage, and target audience.

Journal articles dominate STEM. The rapid pace of scientific progress depends on concise communication and fast dissemination of ideas. This publishing landscape suits early career researchers in STEM looking to establish themselves in their respective fields and strengthen their academic credentials. As a researcher in STEM, you may find that the target audience for your research is limited due to your field’s niche status. In this case, publishing your research as an article in a specialised journal is a safe bet.

In comparison, monographs are the right choice for researchers publishing in the humanities and social sciences. Research in this discipline relies less on speed of dissemination and more on sustained engagement with issues. Monographs provide the occasion for researchers to go in-depth in a more reflexive manner.

Importantly, monographs are suitable publication forms for both early career researchers and already established academics. Publishing a monograph helps early career researchers gain visibility and credibility. As a result, all sorts of career opportunities in terms of grant funding and collaboration can arise. On the other hand, late-career-stage academics with potentially less teaching and administrative requirements may have more time to dedicate to writing a monograph.

Whatever stage you’re at in your career, MDPI Books is here to guide you in publishing an academic monograph. See more about publishing with MDPI Books today.