Electronic Theses & Dissertations: A Survey of Editors & Publishers

Electronic Theses & Dissertations: A Survey of Editors & Publishers

Joan Theresa Dalton

Approximately 200 editors and publishers of established academic journals were invited to respond to an online survey exploring issues surrounding the question of prior publication in an electronic environment, with particular emphasis on electronic theses and dissertations. With a response rate of 25%, certain conclusions and patterns could be discerned. At the same time, a comprehensive review was done of the policies on prior publication in the same 200 journals. The review yielded evidence of contradictory opinion on the question of electronic dissemination and how it may or may not contribute to the designation of research as ""published"". The differences in opinion varied by discipline, and were often based on specific criteria, which will be reviewed.

2000