How do you credit research partners in publications?

3 How to order authors

Ordering authors is another aspect of crediting your research partners that can vary depending on your field, journal, and agreement. In some disciplines, such as natural sciences and engineering, the first author is usually the one who did the most work and wrote the manuscript, while the last author is the senior or corresponding author who supervised and funded the project. In other disciplines, such as humanities and social sciences, the authors are often listed alphabetically or by equal contribution. In any case, you should be transparent and consistent about the criteria and rationale for ordering authors, and you should acknowledge any special roles or contributions in a footnote or a statement.

4 How to credit collaborators

Besides authors, you may also have other research partners who contributed to your work but did not meet the criteria for authorship. These can include technicians, assistants, consultants, advisors, reviewers, or participants. You can credit these collaborators by mentioning them in the acknowledgments section of your publication, where you can express your gratitude and appreciation for their specific roles and inputs. You should also obtain their consent and approval before naming them, and you should follow the ethical and legal norms of your discipline and institution regarding data protection and confidentiality.

5 How to credit funders

Funding is another crucial factor that enables and supports your research, and that deserves proper recognition and disclosure in your publications. You should credit your funders by stating their names, grant numbers, and any other relevant information in the funding section of your publication, or as instructed by the journal or the funder. You should also declare any potential conflicts of interest or biases that may arise from your funding sources, and you should comply with their policies and requirements regarding data sharing, open access, or reporting.

6 How to credit sources

Finally, you should also credit the sources that you used and cited in your research, such as books, articles, datasets, or websites. You should do this by following a consistent and accurate citation style, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, and by providing a complete and updated list of references at the end of your publication. You should also avoid copying or paraphrasing other sources without proper attribution, as this can constitute plagiarism and damage your reputation and credibility. By crediting your sources, you demonstrate your academic honesty and rigor, and you acknowledge the originality and relevance of your research.

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?