Evaluating Resources

Evaluate Books - Publisher

When evaluating a book, always consider the following question:

Who published the book?

The publisher of a book indicates its quality. University presses publish books by professors and experts; therefore, the terms "university" or "press" in a publisher name suggest a very reliable source. Books published by professional or trade associations, institutes, research centers, and reputable commercial publishers are usually trustworthy, too. On the other hand, vanity presses allow authors to pay to have their work published and are considered much less reliable.

Answer the questions above for the book you are evaluating. Overall, does what you know about the publisher of the book indicate that it's a good resource? Explain.