Authorship: From Credit to Accountability Reflections From the Editors´ Network

Abstract

The Editors´ Network of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) provides a dynamic forum for editorial discussions and endorses the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) to improve the scientific quality of biomedical journals. Authorship confers credit and important academic rewards. Recently, however, the ICMJE emphasized that authorship also requires responsibility and accountability. These issues are now covered by the new (fourth) criterion for authorship. Authors should agree to be accountable and ensure that questions regarding the accuracy and integrity of the entire work will be appropriately addressed. This review discusses the implications of this paradigm shift on authorship requirements with the aim of increasing awareness on good scientific and editorial practices.

Análisis y lineamientos de la correcta autoría en la producción científica

“…La autoría se determina siguiendo la política de cada revista sobre las contribuciones de los autores. Si hay colaboradores cuyas aportaciones no alcanzan el nivel de autoría, se debe asegurar de que se incluyan en los agradecimientos de forma adecuada en el manuscrito (Tabla 4) [15][16][17] .…”

Authorship revisited: Bestowing undue credit on students

“…The key issue appears to be credit versus accountability. 5 Alfonso et al 5 make reference to the four criteria required by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). 6 Aside from the initial three criteria (which relate to the extent of contribution, drafting and final approval of an article), a fourth criterion was added in August 2013, related to being accountable for all aspects of the work with a clear understanding that all four criteria ‘… must be met by each individual author’.…”

“…6 Aside from the initial three criteria (which relate to the extent of contribution, drafting and final approval of an article), a fourth criterion was added in August 2013, related to being accountable for all aspects of the work with a clear understanding that all four criteria ‘… must be met by each individual author’. 5 Alfonso et al 5 further elaborate on this ICMJE criterion, stating that ‘[ t ]he main novel idea is to emphasize the responsibility of each author to stand for the integrity of the entire work’. 5 It would appear that simply ascribing principal authorship to a student on the basis of the article’s content arising substantially from the student’s work – as is recommended by both AOSIS and APA – may be too simplistic.…”

“… 5 Alfonso et al 5 further elaborate on this ICMJE criterion, stating that ‘[ t ]he main novel idea is to emphasize the responsibility of each author to stand for the integrity of the entire work’. 5 It would appear that simply ascribing principal authorship to a student on the basis of the article’s content arising substantially from the student’s work – as is recommended by both AOSIS and APA – may be too simplistic. Rather, the ICMJE criteria should be considered in serving as a basis for authorship, principal or other, which would ensure both credit and accountability.…”