Authorship must reflect substantial intellectual contributions to the research and to the manuscript. The journal follows internationally recognized authorship standards and requires that all listed authors meet the criteria below. Individuals who contributed in more limited ways should be acknowledged appropriately, but should not be listed as authors.
Who qualifies as an author?
To qualify for authorship, each author must meet all of the following four conditions:
- Substantial contribution to the work
Each author must have contributed meaningfully to the study itself. This includes at least one of the following:- conception or design of the study;
- acquisition of data (where the contribution involves scientific judgment and responsibility, not only routine work);
- analysis or interpretation of data.
- Manuscript drafting or critical revision
Each author must have contributed to the manuscript by either:- drafting sections of the manuscript; and/or
- critically revising the manuscript for important intellectual content (i.e., making substantive improvements to reasoning, interpretation, framing, or methodology—not only language editing).
- Final approval of the version to be published
Each author must have reviewed and approved the final manuscript version and agreed to its submission and publication. - Accountability for the work
Each author must agree to be accountable for the integrity of the work and to cooperate in addressing questions related to accuracy, ethics, or research integrity. While authors may be responsible for different parts of the study, all authors should have confidence in the overall integrity of the work.
Contributor vs. Author (what belongs in Acknowledgments)
Contributions that typically do not qualify on their own for authorship (unless combined with the criteria above) include:
- technical assistance (e.g., routine measurements, standard lab procedures);
- administrative or logistical support;
- proofreading or language editing only;
- funding acquisition only;
- general supervision without substantive intellectual contribution.
These contributions should be recognized in the Acknowledgments section, provided that the individuals or organizations have consented to being named.
Author contributions statement (CRediT taxonomy)
To increase transparency and prevent inappropriate authorship practices, the journal may require an Author Contributions statement using the CRediT taxonomy (e.g., Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Investigation, Data curation, Writing—original draft, Writing—review & editing, Supervision, Funding acquisition).
CRediT does not replace authorship criteria; instead, it provides a standardized way to describe each author’s role in the work.
Unacceptable authorship practices
The journal does not accept:
- guest/honorary authorship (listing an author who did not meet authorship criteria);
- ghost authorship (omitting individuals who made qualifying authorship contributions);
- authorship offered in exchange for payment or other benefits.
Concerns about authorship may be investigated in line with the journal’s ethical policies.
Guest and Honorary Authorship – Ethical Considerations
Guest authorship (sometimes referred to as honorary or gift authorship) occurs when an individual is listed as an author despite not having made a substantial intellectual contribution that meets accepted authorship criteria. This practice may arise from academic hierarchy, perceived prestige, personal relationships, or expectations of reciprocity.
While sometimes viewed as a minor or customary practice, guest or honorary authorship raises serious ethical concerns and is discouraged by international publishing standards.
Why is guest or honorary authorship problematic?
Guest authorship undermines the integrity of the scientific record by:
- misrepresenting who is responsible for the research and its conclusions;
- obscuring accountability in cases of errors, disputes, or misconduct;
- inflating academic credit without corresponding responsibility or contribution;
- weakening transparency regarding who actually designed, conducted, and interpreted the study.
Long-term consequences for authors
Engaging in guest or honorary authorship can have significant long-term consequences, including:
- loss of credibility and trust within the academic community;
- increased scrutiny during peer review or research integrity investigations;
- complications in cases of post-publication corrections, retractions, or disputes;
- potential negative implications for institutional evaluations, funding applications, or career progression.
In cases where research integrity is questioned, all listed authors may be held accountable—regardless of their actual level of involvement.
Ethical standards and journal policy
International ethical guidelines clearly state that authorship implies both credit and responsibility. Individuals who do not meet authorship criteria should not be listed as authors but may be acknowledged appropriately for their contributions.
The journal expects authors to assign authorship honestly and transparently, based on genuine intellectual contribution rather than status, position, or perceived benefit.
By adhering to ethical authorship practices, authors help protect the integrity of their work, their collaborators, and the scientific literature as a whole.
Ghost Authorship – Ethical Considerations
Ghost authorship occurs when an individual who has made a substantial intellectual contribution to the research or manuscript is not listed as an author, and their contribution is not appropriately acknowledged. This practice is considered a serious breach of publication ethics.
Ghost authorship most commonly arises when:
- professional writers, analysts, or researchers contribute substantially to the study design, data analysis, or manuscript drafting but are not credited;
- individuals involved in data interpretation or manuscript preparation are omitted due to institutional, commercial, or reputational considerations;
- contributions are intentionally concealed to create a misleading impression of independence or authorship.
Why is ghost authorship unethical?
Ghost authorship compromises research integrity by:
- obscuring responsibility for the content, analysis, and conclusions of the work;
- misleading readers, reviewers, and editors about who actually contributed to the research;
- preventing proper accountability in cases of errors, disputes, or misconduct;
- undermining trust in the scientific literature.
Unlike minor acknowledgment omissions, ghost authorship involves concealment of responsibility, which directly conflicts with principles of transparency and accountability.
Long-term consequences for authors
Ghost authorship can have serious and lasting consequences, including:
- reputational damage to the listed authors and their institutions;
- institutional investigations or sanctions;
- retractions, expressions of concern, or corrections after publication;
- increased scrutiny of future submissions by journals and funders.
In ethical investigations, the presence of undisclosed contributors may raise concerns about research independence, conflicts of interest, or undisclosed sponsorship.
Ethical standards and journal policy
International ethical guidelines clearly prohibit ghost authorship. All individuals who meet authorship criteria must be appropriately credited as authors, while contributors who do not meet full authorship criteria should be acknowledged transparently.
The journal requires authors to:
- ensure that all qualifying contributors are properly listed as authors;
- provide an accurate Author Contributions statement;
- disclose any professional writing or analytical assistance.
Failure to do so may result in corrective action in accordance with the journal’s ethical policies.
Authorship Offered in Exchange for Payment or Other Benefits
Authorship offered in exchange for payment, services, favors, or other benefits refers to situations in which an individual is listed as an author not because of a genuine intellectual contribution, but in return for financial compensation or other forms of advantage.
Such practices may include, but are not limited to:
- paying to be listed as an author on a manuscript;
- offering authorship in exchange for funding, equipment, or access to data;
- adding authors to strengthen perceived prestige, institutional standing, or publication prospects;
- exchanging authorship as part of reciprocal or transactional arrangements.
Why is this practice unethical?
Offering or accepting authorship in exchange for payment or benefits undermines the fundamental principles of scholarly publishing by:
- misrepresenting the true contributors and responsible parties;
- distorting the attribution of academic credit;
- compromising accountability for the research and its conclusions;
- creating unfair advantages and eroding trust in the peer-review system.
Authorship is intended to reflect intellectual contribution and responsibility, not financial or strategic considerations.
Long-term consequences and risks
Engaging in transactional authorship can have serious consequences, including:
- rejection of the manuscript during editorial or peer-review assessment;
- post-publication corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions;
- institutional investigations or disciplinary action;
- loss of credibility and reputational damage for all listed authors;
- increased scrutiny of future submissions.
In ethical investigations, all listed authors may be held accountable, regardless of their role in initiating or benefiting from the arrangement.
Journal policy
The journal strictly prohibits any form of paid, transactional, or benefit-based authorship. Manuscripts suspected of involving such practices may be investigated in accordance with the journal’s ethical policies.
Authors are expected to ensure that authorship is assigned solely on the basis of genuine intellectual contribution, in line with established authorship criteria and transparency standards.
Corresponding Author Responsibilities
The corresponding author plays a key role in ensuring the integrity, transparency, and proper management of the manuscript throughout the submission, peer review, and publication process.
The corresponding author is responsible for:
- Ensuring that all listed authors meet the journal’s authorship criteria, and that authorship accurately reflects substantial intellectual contributions to the work;
- Confirming that no eligible contributors have been omitted, and that individuals who do not meet authorship criteria are appropriately acknowledged, with their consent;
- Coordinating communication among all co-authors, including ensuring that all authors have reviewed, approved, and agreed to the final version of the manuscript prior to submission and publication;
- Acting as the primary point of contact with the editorial office during submission, peer review, revision, and publication, and promptly relaying relevant information to all co-authors;
- Ensuring the accuracy and completeness of all declarations, including funding, conflicts of interest, data availability, and author contributions;
- Responding to editorial and reviewer queries in a timely and transparent manner and coordinating revisions with co-authors.
The corresponding author does not assume greater scientific credit than other authors but carries primary responsibility for communication, coordination, and compliance with the journal’s policies.
Failure to fulfill these responsibilities may result in delays in editorial processing or, in serious cases, further editorial action in accordance with the journal’s ethical policies.
Changes to Authorship
Requests to add, remove, or rearrange authors after manuscript submission are considered exceptional and must follow a formal procedure to ensure transparency and fairness.
Such requests must meet all of the following conditions:
- they are fully justified in writing;
- they are approved by all authors, including those being added or removed; and
- they are reviewed and approved by the editorial office before any changes are made.
Procedure for Requesting Authorship Changes
Authors requesting a change in authorship must submit the following to the editorial office:
- A written explanation
A clear and detailed explanation of the reason for the proposed change, including:- the nature of the change (addition, removal, or rearrangement of authors);
- when and how the issue was identified;
- confirmation that the change reflects actual contributions to the work.
- Written consent from all authors
A statement of agreement from all listed authors, including:- authors currently listed on the manuscript;
- any individuals proposed to be added; and
- any individuals proposed to be removed.
Consent must be explicit and may be requested in the form of signed statements or direct confirmation sent to the editorial office from institutional email addresses.
- Updated author contributions statement
Where applicable, an updated Author Contributions (CRediT) statement reflecting the revised authorship.
Timing of Authorship Changes
- Before acceptance:
Authorship changes may be considered in accordance with the procedure outlined above. - After acceptance or publication:
Requests for authorship changes are subject to stricter scrutiny and may require:- publication of a formal correction;
- institutional confirmation; or
- additional documentation.
Editorial Review and Decision
The editorial office will review all authorship change requests and may:
- approve the change;
- request additional information or clarification; or
- reject the request if it does not comply with authorship criteria or ethical standards.
The journal reserves the right to suspend editorial processing of the manuscript until authorship issues are resolved.
Unresolved Disputes
In cases of unresolved disagreement among authors, the journal may:
- request that the matter be resolved at the institutional level; or
- decline to proceed with the manuscript until a resolution is reached.
Authorship Misconduct
The journal does not accept any form of authorship misconduct. Authorship must accurately reflect genuine intellectual contributions and responsibility for the work.
Unacceptable practices include, but are not limited to:
- guest or honorary authorship, where individuals are listed as authors without meeting authorship criteria;
- ghost authorship, where individuals who made qualifying contributions are omitted from the author list or acknowledgments;
- authorship offered or accepted in exchange for payment, services, or other benefits;
- misrepresentation of contributions in Author Contributions statements.
Such practices undermine the integrity of the scientific record, obscure accountability, and conflict with internationally recognized research ethics standards.
Investigation and Editorial Action
Suspected cases of authorship misconduct may be investigated by the editorial office in accordance with the journal’s ethical policies and recognized best practices. Investigations may involve:
- requests for clarification or documentation from the authors;
- review of Author Contributions statements;
- consultation with authors’ institutions, where appropriate.
During an investigation, editorial processing of the manuscript may be suspended until the matter is resolved.
Possible Outcomes
Depending on the nature and severity of the misconduct, editorial actions may include:
- rejection of the manuscript;
- request for correction or revision of authorship information;
- publication of a correction, expression of concern, or retraction;
- notification of relevant institutions or funding bodies, where appropriate.
All authors listed on a manuscript may be held accountable for authorship-related misconduct, regardless of their individual level of involvement in the violation.
Author Responsibility
Authors are expected to assign authorship honestly, transparently, and in good faith, and to resolve authorship matters before submission whenever possible. By adhering to ethical authorship practices, authors help protect the credibility of their work, their collaborators, and the scholarly record.