A study book or academic book, also referred to as a scholarly book, is a type of book written for an audience of researchers, professionals, and students in a specific field of study. Here are some key characteristics of academic books:

• Purpose: Their primary goal is to disseminate research findings, advance knowledge in a discipline, and contribute to ongoing academic discussions.
• Authorship: They are typically written by experts or scholars with a Ph.D. or extensive experience in the field.
• Content: They delve into a specific topic in great depth, presenting complex ideas, research methodologies, and theoretical frameworks.
• Style: The writing style is formal and uses discipline-specific terminology. They often include extensive citations and references to support the arguments and findings presented.
• Publication: They are often published by university presses or academic publishers known for rigorous peer review processes.

Here are some contrasts between academic books and popular non-fiction books:

• Target Audience: Academic books are aimed at a specialized audience with some background knowledge, whereas popular non-fiction targets a general audience.
• Content Depth: Academic books offer a much deeper and more nuanced exploration of a topic compared to popular non-fiction, which is often broader and more accessible.
• Sources and Citations: Academic books heavily rely on citations and references to scholarly sources to substantiate claims, while popular non-fiction may or may not include them.

Here are some examples of different formats academic books can take:

• Monographs: In-depth studies on a single, focused topic written by one or two authors.
• Edited Collections: Compiled works featuring contributions from multiple scholars on a specific theme or related subtopics within a discipline.
• Five common structures: linear, problem-solution, thematic, skill-based, and reference
• Conference Proceedings: Collections of papers originally presented at academic conferences.

Overall, academic books are essential resources for researchers and students pursuing in-depth knowledge and understanding within a particular field of study.