Authorship of Medical Physics Papers

Abstract

Authorship of a paper in Medical Physics connotes a substantial contribution to science and can be important to the academic, collegial, and financial welfare of the author. An individual's stature as a scientist depends strongly on the authorship of papers in the scientific literature, especially in highly cited journals in one's discipline. An author can be defined as “One that originates or creates” (www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary). It is this creative ability that enables an individual to be productive as a scientist and an author. Inclusion as an author on a scientific publication implies that the individual has contributed in a major way to both the genesis of the paper and its expression in print. Unfortunately, authors listed in the byline of a scientific paper do not always fulfill the criteria of serving as a creator and substantial contributor to the development of the paper. Further, it sometimes happens in Medical Physics, as in other journals, that a dispute arises among individuals either included or excluded from the listing of authors of a paper. Such a dispute impedes the process of peer review and publication, and does not serve the best interests of the individuals, medical physics, or science in general. This editorial is written with the intent of clarifying the qualifications of individuals listed as authors of papers submitted to Medical Physics. The editorial follows the general guidance of The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) (http://www.icmje.org/#author) with regard to authorship of scientific papers. A few journals (e.g., Radiology) require that each author of a paper individually submit a signed statement attesting to the fulfillment of the ICMJE conditions for authorship. Medical Physics has chosen to relieve the journal manager of the burden of managing such an influx of paper. Instead, Medical Physics states in its Instructions to Authors that, “The senior author is responsible for ensuring that all individuals included as authors on a manuscript have: (1) made substantial contributions to conception and design, and/or acquisition of data, and/or analysis and interpretation of data; (2) drafting the article and/or revising it critically for important intellectual content; and (3) final approval of the version to be published. Authors should meet conditions (1), (2), and (3). (http://www.icmje.org/#author). In manuscripts from a group of investigators, the senior author is most likely an experienced scientist with supervisory responsibilities, although this is not a requirement. He/she may or may not be the corresponding author, who is the author responsible for communications with the journal. All authors of a manuscript, including the senior author, are copied on all correspondence concerning the status of a manuscript submitted to Medical Physics. In addition to verifying the legitimacy of authors of a manuscript, the senior author ensures that no legitimate authors have been omitted. The senior author recognizes that authorship is not justified for an individual whose sole contribution is acquisition of funding for a project, collection of data, provision of research facilities, and/or general supervision of the study or the research group. In addition to accepting accountability for authorship and the order of authors in the manuscript byline, the senior author is the individual responsible for assuring the integrity of the science reported in the paper and the accuracy of its expression in the publication. Serving as a senior author should not be taken lightly; any complications that arise during or after publication of a paper are the responsibility of the senior author. Individuals who do not qualify as authors, but who were important to the work in some manner, should be listed in an acknowledgments paragraph at the end of the manuscript. These individuals might include persons who provided general supervision, financial support, or research facilities, or who assisted in the collection of data or writing of the manuscript. All persons listed in an acknowledgments paragraph should consent to the listing. When authors submit a manuscript to Medical Physics, they are asked to disclose any financial and personal relationship that is or could be perceived as biasing the research or its presentation in a scientific manuscript. Such a relationship is termed a Conflict of Interest (CoI). If the CoI is deemed to be substantial, it must be described briefly in a footnote on the first page of the manuscript. The publication of scientific papers in Medical Physics is a privilege that is enjoyed by medical physicists worldwide without geographical or ideological barriers. This privilege is accompanied by the obligation to act with integrity concerning issues such as authorship and conflicts of interest. It is a pleasure to state that examples where this obligation is not fulfilled are very rare in Medical Physics.