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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

Navigating Authorship as a New Researcher

  1. Start authorship discussions early in the research process. Don't wait until the paper is almost finished to talk about who will be an author.
  2. Document your contributions throughout the project. Keep a log of what you do, when you do it, and how it contributes to the overall research.
  3. Understand the authorship policies of your target journals. Different journals may have different requirements or preferences.
  4. Use CRediT taxonomy to clearly define your roles, especially in multi-discipline work. This can help avoid misunderstandings about who did what.
  5. Be prepared to take responsibility for your contributions. This means being able to explain and defend your part of the work.
  6. Seek advice on authorship issues from experienced colleagues in your field. They can provide valuable insights and help you navigate tricky situations.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

  • Don't assume authorship based on your position or funding role. Just being the lab head or providing money doesn't automatically make someone an author.
  • Resist pressure to include honorary authors or engage in ghost authorship. Honorary authors are those who are listed but didn't contribute significantly. Ghost authors are those who contributed significantly but aren't listed.
  • Be careful of predatory journals with weak authorship standards. These journals may accept papers without proper peer review, which can harm your reputation.
  • Don't forget to acknowledge non-author contributors. People who helped but don't meet authorship criteria should still be recognized in the acknowledgments section.

Subject Area Awareness

Remember that authorship practices can vary between disciplines. What's common in biology might not be the same in psychology or engineering. If working on projects across different fields, discuss authorship expectations early as norms may differ. Stay informed about changing standards in your specific field by reading journal guidelines and talking to colleagues.
By following these guidelines and being aware of field differences, you help maintain the trust and quality of scholarly communication in your field. Good authorship practices not only protect your interests but also uphold the integrity of scientific research. They ensure that credit is given where it's due and that all authors take responsibility for the work they publish.

Learn More About Authorship Resources

Here are some general resources related to authorship that can help you understand more: