An individual qualifies as an author if they have made a substantial intellectual contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. This includes contributing to the formulation of the research question, study design, analysis of data, and drafting or revising the manuscript.
All individuals listed as authors must approve the final version of the manuscript before submission, ensuring that the work is accurate and complete. Each author should confirm that they are satisfied with the manuscript and agree to be held accountable for the content.
Authors must take responsibility for the integrity of the research process and the accuracy of the published work. They are responsible for ensuring that data is presented honestly, without manipulation or fabrication, and that proper ethical standards are followed.
Authors should contribute to the writing, revising, or editing of the manuscript. This includes providing input on the content, structure, and clarity of the manuscript, and ensuring that all important aspects of the research are adequately addressed.
Individuals who do not meet the criteria for authorship, but are listed as authors, are considered "gift authors." Ghostwriting, where individuals who contributed significantly to the work are excluded from the authorship list, is considered unethical. Only individuals who meet the authorship criteria should be included.
Individuals who contributed to the research but did not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged in the acknowledgment section of the paper. Their contributions could include technical assistance, funding support, or general advice, but they are not responsible for the intellectual content of the manuscript.
The specific contributions of each author should be clearly attributed, either in the manuscript itself or in a supplementary section. This could include a brief description of each author’s role, such as "Conceptualization," "Data Analysis," "Writing—Original Draft," etc.
Any disputes regarding authorship should be resolved prior to submission. Journals and institutions often have procedures in place to resolve such conflicts. It is the responsibility of the corresponding author to ensure that all individuals listed as authors are in agreement with the authorship order and criteria.
