Monograph thesis
A monograph thesis is a written account of the research conducted as part of the doctoral education. A monograph does not contain any appended constituent papers and is more comprehensive than the "kappa" in a compilation thesis.
Writing a monograph
The monograph should consist of an account of the entire scientific work for doctoral degree. In particular, the "materials & methods" and results sections should be more extensive than in a "kappa". A monograph, in contrast to a compilation thesis, does not contain publications or manuscripts.
The support available for writing the comprehensive summary (“kappa”) also serves as support for monographs:
- The document Support for writing the thesis (see Documents below).
- Workshops and seminars arranged by the University Library (KIB).
- The web page Using generative AI when writing academic texts within doctoral education (the use of generative AI in writing may be discussed at the thesis defence).
- The text matching system iThenticate
Writing a thesis contributes to the fulfilment of the objectives for doctoral education according to the Higher Education Ordinance and is an opportunity for the doctoral student to demonstrate that the degree objectives have been achieved. Please read about fulfilment of the intended learning outcomes (ILOs) for the Degree of Doctor in the thesis as this can generally also be applied to monographs.
Below are the headings listed in the monograph thesis template. To get access to the template, contact the printer. Information on templates and printing.
Headings in the monograph thesis template
- POPULAR SCIENCE SUMMARY OF THE THESIS
- It is strongly recommended that the thesis contains a popular science summary in English.
- It is permitted for anyone who so wishes to additionally write a popular science summary in Swedish or in another optional language.
- ABSTRACT (maximal 1000 words)
- CONTENTS
- LIST OF ABBREVATIONS
- INTRODUCTION (recommended)
- BACKGROUND (includes a literature review)
- DECLARATION OF OWN CONTRIBUTION AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF OTHER RESEARCHERS
- RESEARCH AIMS
- MATERIALS AND METHODS
- It is strongly recommended to include ”Ethical considerations”
- RESULTS
- DISCUSSION
- CONCLUSIONS
- POINTS OF PERSPECTIVE
- e.g. for future research, clinical implications, or health policy
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- DECLARATION ABOUT THE USE OF GENERATIVE AI
- The following AI assisted tools…….specify name and version……were used in writing the “kappa”/comprehensive summary of the thesis, for …….. purpose ….. . Describe also how/in what way AI assisted tools have been used in the writing process. Tools/services used for language support and reference management do not need to be declared and the declaration is not mandatory if AI assisted tools only have been used for these purposes.
- I take full responsibility for the content of the thesis.
- REFERENCES
Thesis defence process for monograph thesis
An application for a thesis defence with a monograph thesis takes about six weeks longer than for a compilation thesis. Please also note that it usually takes longer time to write a monograph thesis than to write a compilation thesis.
The application for a public defence with a monograph thesis must be made using a special form. Contact disputation@ki.se for access to the form.
Monograph reviewers
Unlike compilation theses, monographs must be reviewed by two specially appointed monograph reviewers before being sent to the Examination Board for the regular preliminary review. The purpose is to replace the review process that takes place when articles are published.
The reviewers may be internal or external to KI, but at least one of the reviewers must come from a different department than the doctoral student or the main supervisor. Information about fees for monograph reviewers can be found at the bottom of the page.
Defence process for monograph theses
- Thesis defence application: Together with the application for defence, a draft of the monograph is submitted along with a proposal for two monograph reviewers.
- Review: The monograph reviewers review the work and write a report similar to the referee reports in scientific journals. The report shall result in a statement on the quality of the research conducted. The report is sent to the Dissertation Committee which then informs the doctoral student. This process takes three weeks.
- The doctoral student's response: The doctoral student prepares a written response (known as rebuttal) to the monograph reviewers' report, in which the comments are addressed point by point.
- Preliminary review by the Examination Board: The completed monograph – after any revisions in connection with the monograph reviewers' statements – is sent to the members of the Examination Board together with the reviewers' report and the doctoral student's response. The Examination Board assesses whether the thesis as a whole corresponds to four years of doctoral studies and has the scientific quality that can be expected at an internationally renowned university. This process takes two weeks.
- Nailing: If publishing the monograph electronically affects the possibility of publishing the research results later, it is permissible to publish only the abstract in KI Open Archive in connection with the nailing, and to choose up to a one-year embargo for the rest of the monograph thesis. However, the thesis must always be physically nailed to the designated place at KI’s library in Solna or Flemingsberg in its entirety at the time of official nailing.
Flowchart of the defence process for monograph theses.
Fees for monograph reviewers
A fee of SEK 5000 is paid to monograph eviewers, regardless of their affiliation, by the principal supervisor or KI department.
For payment of fees to reviewers from other countries, a so-called SINK-decision is needed. For more information, see "Fee to the opponent" on page Examination board and opponent.
See also: Salary and bank accout registration
Questions about monograph theses, examiners and fees can be addressed to: disputation@ki.se