Guideline 14
Authorship
An author is an individual who has made a genuine, identifiable contribution to the content of a research publication of text, data or software. All authors agree on the final version of the work to be published. Unless explicitly stat- ed otherwise, they share responsibility for the publication. Authors seek to ensure that, as far as possible, their contributions are identified by publishers or infrastructure providers such that they can be correctly cited by users.
Explanation
The contribution must add to the research content of the publication. What constitutes a genuine and identifiable contribution must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and depends on the subject area in question. An identifiable, genuine contribution is deemed to exist particularly in instances in which a researcher – in a research-relevant way – takes part in
- the development and conceptual design of the research project, or
- the gathering, collection, acquisition or provision of data, software or sources, or
- the analysis/evaluation or interpretation of data, sources and conclusions drawn from them, or
- the drafting of the manuscript.
If a contribution is not sufficient to justify authorship, the individual’s support may be properly acknowledged in footnotes, a foreword or an ac- knowledgement. Honorary authorship where no such contribution was made is not permissible. A leadership or supervisory function does not itself constitute co-authorship.
Collaborating researchers agree on authorship of a publication. The decision as to the order in which authors are named is made in good time, normally no later than when the manuscript is drafted, and in accordance with clear criteria that reflect the practices within the relevant subject areas. Researchers may not refuse to give their consent to publication of the results without sufficient grounds. Refusal of consent must be justified with verifiable criticism of data, methods or results.
Comments
- Authorship agreement
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Authors involved in data collection
Collected data is often further processed by others in the same working group and becomes the subject of new publications in its processed form.
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Definition of a “genuine contribution”
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Ghost Authorship and Ghostwriting
In research publications, all those persons who have made a genuine and identifiable contribution are to be named as authors.
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Honorary authorship and its various forms
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Inadmissible “honorary authorships”
Fallbeispiele
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Order of authors in academic publications
The order of authors in academic publications must be based on clear criteria that reflect the practices within the relevant subject areas.
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The role of software developers in publications
Software developers can be named as authors, providing the publication was only possible with their active participation.
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What does “shared first authorship” mean? What problems can occur?
As defined by most journals, shared first authorship means that several first authors have made equal contributions.
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Authorship criteria / negative catalogue
Eine allgemeingültige und allumfassende Definition des Begriffs der Autorschaft zu entwickeln, stellt aufgrund der unterschiedlichen Handhabungen und Kulturen in den einzelnen Wissenschaftsbereichen und Communities eine große Herausforderung dar.
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Case study – Conflict of authorship: Presumption of authorship
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What to do in the case of an author passing away during the research work/publication process
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Further links on the subject of authorship
When preparing a publication in which several individuals are to be involved, it is advisable to set down in writing early on who will make what contribution.