Evaluating Research:
Publisher's Reputation
Publishers have different reputations. For example, one publisher might be known for quickly bringing books to publication in order to earn quick money while another publisher specializes in well-researched academic publications. And other publishers specialize in a specific genre, region, or type of book.
Discussion
I have written three annotated bibliographies in the field of substance abuse.
- NALGAP Annotated Bibliography: Lesbians, Gay Men, and Substance Abuse. (Ft. Wayne, IN: National Association of Lesbian and Gay Alcoholism Professionals, 1989) [with Danna Finnegan and Emily McNally]
- Jewish Alcoholism and Drug Addiction: An Annotated Bibliography. (Greenwood Press, 1993).
- Spirituality and Addiction. (Wheeling, WV: Bishop of Books, 1993).
Although these books exhibit the same quality of research, Jewish Alcoholism and Drug Addiction is the most credible of the three because of the reputation of the publisher: Greenwood Press.
The other two bibliographies were published by small presses that do not enjoy Greenwood Press' solid reputation.
Given that all of these books are more than 10 years old, none will reflect current information on their topics. Date of Publication is one of criteria to consider when trying to determine the credibility of a publication.
Special Notes on Web Sites
Web sites are hosted on servers. Sometimes, the individual or company who owes the server is also the publisher. But this is not always the case. For example, YouTube hosts "Dr. Julia A. Berg: Grading Our Friends" but is not the publisher of this video. I am the publisher.
If you cite "Grading Our Friends" in a paper, you would list Dr. Julia A. Berg as the author of the essay and me as the publisher.
Sometimes, it is not possible to determine the publisher of a web site. For example, I am the publisher of Down By the Berry Patch where Dr. Berg has published some of her essays and photographs. But there is nowhere on the website that identifies me as such. When a publisher cannot be determined, there is no need to list a publisher as part of your bibliographic citation.
