Studying in an educational context refers to the process of gaining mastery of a certain area of information.
More specifically study software's objective is to increase the effective application of efficacious study skills to that information, such that thinking and learning about that information is more productive per unit time.
Some types of study software are subject specific teachers of material and may or may not contain the information/content that requires mastery.
Mapping software's claimed strengths are more at the thinking end of the spectrum of study and are criticized for their lack of efficacy once the benefits of organizing information are finished.
There are also hybrids of the above broad types available, including ones that can actually test students on their notes.