AUTHORSHIP MALPRACTICES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Horacio Rivera

doi:10.47316/cajmhe.2020.1.1.11

Abstract

Although the variety of research malpractices in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is similar to those documented in developed nations, authorship misuse and related issues appear to be more prevalent in the former. This article focuses on some authorship-related topics in LMIC, namely authorship disputes, excessive co-authorship and monetary incentives, authorship issues in student-mentor relationships, and authorship patterns in North-South collaborations. Universities and official bodies in LMIC must supervise the integrity of the whole research process, provide instructions on responsible research and authorship, set up the required postgraduate training programs, foster good role models in authorship, and designate an ombudsperson to advice and respond to complaints of researchers, especially students and junior faculty. Lastly, a recent framework that combines descriptive and normative elements and then uses proper metaphors to achieve an ethical definition of authorship useful in international settings is highlighted.

Highlights

In contrast with the small contribution of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to the scientific endeavor, research malpractices therein are similar to those in developed nations but feature a greater prevalence of authorship misuse [1-3]
In their study based on a questionnaire responded by ~200 Cochrane corresponding authors from LMIC and in-depth interviews with 15 of them, Rohwer et al [9] found that authorship issues, including quarrels about the order of authors, were a common concern
Teaching of responsible conduct of research and authorship guidelines as well as training for the proper application of the latter need to be included in postgraduate programs

Summary

Introduction

INTRODUCTION In contrast with the small contribution of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to the scientific endeavor, research malpractices therein are similar to those in developed nations but feature a greater prevalence of authorship misuse [1-3]. It seems that the lack of teaching and training in scientific integrity and good publication practices [5,6] along with the widespread corruption in many LMIC [7] further reinforces authorship abuses therein.

Results

Conclusion