How do you negotiate authorship and acknowledgments in academic publications?

Negotiating authorship and acknowledgments in academic publications can be a challenging and sensitive task, especially when working in a collaborative and interdisciplinary context. How do you decide who should be listed as an author, who should be acknowledged, and in what order? How do you communicate your expectations and preferences with your peers and supervisors? How do you handle disagreements or conflicts that may arise? In this article, we will explore some practical tips and strategies to help you navigate this process and ensure that your contributions and those of others are recognized and respected.

1 Why does it matter?

Authorship and acknowledgments are not only a way of giving credit and responsibility to those who have contributed to a research project, but also a way of building your reputation and credibility as a scholar. They can affect your career prospects, funding opportunities, and professional relationships. Moreover, they reflect the ethical standards and integrity of your discipline and institution. Therefore, it is important to follow the guidelines and norms of your field and journal, and to avoid any practices that could be considered as plagiarism, ghostwriting, or gift authorship.

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Professor Andy Miah 🎓

Horizon scanning in #EmTech ethics across biodigital, creative, sport, / Advises global organizations with Tech for Good / Keynote / Host / Author / Olympic Games expert / Esports strategist
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One thing that's crucial to understand is that authorship arrangements cannot be fixed at the start and simply follow as expected. it is a continuous process, requiring clear, agreed principles for when they will be scrutinised along the research journey. Making sure that these conversations include agreed means for any conflict resolution approaches, should it arise, is paramount.

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2 When to start the conversation?

One of the key steps to avoid misunderstandings and disputes over authorship and acknowledgments is to start the conversation early and often. Ideally, you should discuss these issues before you begin working on a project, and revisit them as the project progresses and changes. You should also document your agreements and decisions in writing, and share them with all the relevant parties. This way, you can clarify the roles and expectations of each team member, and address any concerns or questions that may arise along the way.

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Tim Bower

Leadership Outfitter | Empowering Leadership Coaches and People Professionals with Transformational Leadership Tools, Resources, and Support | Organizational Sociologist | B Optimal
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It is about the fairness of the arrangement we coauthors tend to feel and perceive the others are experiencing. Expectations are set at the onset of the project and documented - agreed-upon expectations are relatively fixed - yes, adjustments must be made if circumstances demand. I prefer to work on multiple projects with my coauthors, each has an article where they are the lead author with corresponding roles and responsibilities. We treat this project like most others - create a schedule, develop a budget, develop a communication plan, identify conflict resolution practices, etc. This simple strategy tends to address most of the questions about the order of authors, related responsibilities, and conflict resolution.

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Isabel Munoz, PhD

Product Manager at AJBoggs | Information Science and Technology PhD | Certified Product Owner (CSPO®)
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To avoid disputes, it is crucial to discuss authorship order and each contributor's role at the beginning of the writing process. In my collaborations, we have this conversation before any significant writing is done. Once we understand what we want to write, we schedule a meeting to determine authorship order and assign specific tasks for the writing process. Usually, the person who came up with the idea for the publication and can handle most of the work takes the lead author role. It is crucial to determine the lead author early to ensure transparency.

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3 How to decide who is an author?

There is no universal rule or formula for determining who is an author and who is not, as different disciplines and journals may have different criteria and conventions. However, a common approach is to use the four criteria proposed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), which state that an author should have made substantial contributions to: (1) the conception and design of the work, or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; (2) the drafting or revising of the manuscript for important intellectual content; (3) the final approval of the version to be published; and (4) the accountability for all aspects of the work. Anyone who does not meet these criteria should be acknowledged instead.

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Dr. Gail Matthews

Writing Studies
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I agree, but there are also ways to acknowledge the associate editors of journals who contribute in the collaboration of getting an article to publication. In my experience as an associate editor, the close relationship with a writer or writers of an article entails hard work, and acknowledgement of this contribution of moving the scholarly paper to publication does not often happen.

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4 How to decide the order of authors?

Another tricky issue is how to decide the order of authors, which can have significant implications for how the work is perceived and cited. Again, there is no universal rule or formula, but some common factors that may influence the order are: (1) the relative contributions and responsibilities of each author; (2) the seniority and status of each author; (3) the conventions and expectations of the field and journal; and (4) the preferences and negotiations of each author. Some journals also allow or require the use of authorship statements or contributions sections, where each author's specific role and input can be explained.

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5 How to decide who to acknowledge?

Acknowledgments are a way of expressing gratitude and recognition to those who have supported or facilitated your research, but who do not qualify as authors. These may include: (1) people who have provided technical, administrative, or material assistance; (2) people who have given feedback, advice, or guidance; (3) people who have granted permission, access, or resources; and (4) funding sources, sponsors, or affiliations. You should always seek consent from those you wish to acknowledge, and respect their wishes if they decline. You should also follow the guidelines and formats of your field and journal for writing acknowledgments.

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6 How to handle conflicts or disputes?

Despite your best efforts, you may encounter situations where you or others disagree or are unhappy with the decisions or outcomes regarding authorship and acknowledgments. In such cases, you should try to resolve the issue in a respectful and constructive manner, by: (1) communicating your concerns or grievances clearly and calmly; (2) listening to the perspectives and arguments of others; (3) seeking evidence or clarification if needed; (4) exploring possible solutions or compromises; and (5) involving a third party or mediator if necessary. You should also be aware of your rights and responsibilities as an author, and the policies and procedures of your institution and journal for dealing with such conflicts.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you negotiate authorship and acknowledgments in academic publications?

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1 Why does it matter?

2 When to start the conversation?

3 How to decide who is an author?

4 How to decide the order of authors?

5 How to decide who to acknowledge?

6 How to handle conflicts or disputes?

7 Here’s what else to consider

Academic Writing

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