Attribution and co-authorship
- Vitae Researcher Development Framework 2010 descriptor C1.6
- Vitae RDF 2025 4.2; 4.3; 3.7
The criteria for attribution and co-authorship
Authorship can be one of the most contested areas in collaborative research.
Ensuring appropriate recognition for contributions is crucial but varies across disciplines due to differing conventions and practices. Understanding and adhering to clear guidelines helps maintain integrity in determining authorship.
What is it?
Key principles for authorship attribution include:
- Substantial intellectual contributions to the research design, data acquisition, or analysis and interpretation.
- Active involvement in drafting or critically revising the work for intellectual content.
- Final approval of the version to be published.
- Responsibility for appropriate portions of the work.
What does not constitute authorship?
- Securing funding or managing a project without intellectual input.
- Including honorary authors (e.g., department heads or funding providers) without their meaningful contribution.
- Adding guest authors (e.g., influential names to improve publication chances).
Guidelines like those from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the Council of Science Editors (CSE) provide further clarity on what qualifies as legitimate authorship.
Why is it important?
Publications are a cornerstone of research success, influencing career progression, reputation, and future opportunities.
Misattributed or denied authorship:
- Falsifies the research record.
- Undermines ethical research practices.
- Discredits contributions, especially for junior researchers.
Receiving proper credit fosters trust and accountability in collaborative environments. Equally, ensuring others receive due credit maintains integrity and strengthens professional relationships.
Tips for successful co-authorship
Agree on authorship early
- Discuss and agree on authorship roles and order at the start of any collaborative project.
- Revisit and update agreements as the project progresses.
Foster a culture of fairness
- Adhere to ethical practices in recognising contributions across all publications.
- Promote and uphold your institution’s policy on authorship attribution.
- Advocate for the development of an authorship policy if none exists.
Report unethical practices
- Challenge unethical authorship claims, especially when senior staff exert undue influence.
- Suggest acknowledgements for individuals who supported but did not intellectually contribute to the research.
- Notify journal editors about serious concerns of deceptive authorship, as it tarnishes academic integrity and may result in retractions.
Final takeaways
By addressing authorship attribution with clarity and fairness, researchers can uphold ethical standards, maintain trust in collaborative settings, and contribute to a robust and transparent research record.