Which statement is true about authorship practices?

Which statement is true about authorship practices?

• A. Authors must be listed by seniority.
• B. Graduate students cannot be first authors.
• C. Practices differ within and between disciplines.
• D. Authors must be listed alphabetically.

Answer: (C)

The statement that practices differ within and between disciplines is accurate and reflects the diversity in authorship conventions across various fields of study. In biomedical research, for instance, authorship practices can vary significantly between laboratory sciences, clinical trials, and public health studies. In certain disciplines, the order of authors may reflect the level of contribution, while in others, it may follow an alphabetical listing or a combination of both seniority and contribution. This variability is important because it acknowledges that authorship is not universally defined and can be influenced by the norms and expectations of particular fields. Understanding this is essential for researchers as they navigate collaborations and authorship status, ensuring they align with the specific practices of their discipline and maintain ethical standards in reporting authorship of their work.

The statement that practices differ within and between disciplines is accurate and reflects the diversity in authorship conventions across various fields of study. In biomedical research, for instance, authorship practices can vary significantly between laboratory sciences, clinical trials, and public health studies. In certain disciplines, the order of authors may reflect the level of contribution, while in others, it may follow an alphabetical listing or a combination of both seniority and contribution.

This variability is important because it acknowledges that authorship is not universally defined and can be influenced by the norms and expectations of particular fields. Understanding this is essential for researchers as they navigate collaborations and authorship status, ensuring they align with the specific practices of their discipline and maintain ethical standards in reporting authorship of their work.