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Authorship and Contributorship

This guide provides researchers with a comprehensive overview of the ethical attribution of authors and other contributors. It covers the key frameworks and guidelines, including the ICMJE and CRediT systems, as well as the CSE and COPE standards. Additio

The Council of Science Editors (CSE) started in 1957 to promote excellence in science communication. The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) began in 1997 when medical journal editors were concerned about publication misconduct. Both organizations have developed comprehensive guidelines for publication ethics. These guidelines cover a wide range of issues, including authorship, peer review, conflicts of interest, and research integrity.

Council of Science Editors (CSE) Recommendations

The CSE focuses on editorial standards and accountability in scientific publications across various fields.
Key principles:

  • Authors must contribute significantly to the work. This means more than just providing data or lab space.
  • All authors should review and approve the final manuscript. This ensures that everyone stands behind the published work.
  • Non-author contributors should be properly acknowledged. This might include people who provided technical help or writing assistance.
  • Authorship disputes should be resolved at the institutional level. Journals usually don't get involved in these disputes.

Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Guidelines

COPE provides broad ethical guidelines for scholarly publishing, applicable across scientific fields.
Key recommendations:

  • Plan authorship roles early in the research process. This can prevent disputes later on.
  • Disclose all contributors and potential conflicts of interest. Transparency is crucial for maintaining trust in research.
  • Avoid honorary or ghost authorship. Don't include authors who didn't contribute significantly, and don't leave out those who did.
  • Ensure unbiased peer review based on research quality. The review process should focus on the merit of the work, not who wrote it.

Best Practices for New Researchers

  • Learn your institution's authorship policies. These may be more specific than general guidelines.
  • Communicate openly with collaborators about authorship expectations. Don't assume everyone has the same understanding.
  • Keep detailed records of your contributions to research projects. This can be helpful if questions arise later.
  • Seek advice from mentors or senior colleagues when facing authorship problems. They may have experience with similar situations.

Subject Area Differences

While CSE and COPE guidelines generally apply to all scientific, technical, and engineering disciplines, their use may vary. For example, biomedical engineering generally follows ICMJE. Some fields may have more specific interpretations or additional guidelines. Check if your field or target journals have specific interpretations or applications of these guidelines.

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CSE:

COPE: