Research Guides: Responsible Conduct of Research & Scholarly Activity: Authorship & Publication

Responsible Authorship and Publication Practices

Publication is the primary means by which scholarly work is made available to other scholars, industry, medical practitioners, policymakers, and the general public (sometimes via intermediaries such as science journalists). Via the resources provided here, learn more about the ethical issues that authors and reviewers face, and how to address them in your own research or scholarship.

by @RedPenBlackPen

Responsible Publication Practices and Authorship Training Module
This training module on authorship and publication is part of the UNH Web-based program of instruction in the ethical and responsible conduct of research. The module takes approximately 30 minutes, and may be completed according to the individual’s own timeframe.

UNH RCR Program Workshops

Authorship as a Team Sport: How to Play by the Rules and be an All Star
Recording of a UNH RCR Program workshop from November 2020.
Demystifyng the Scholarly Publishing Landscape
Recording of a UNH RCR Program workshop from March 2021.
Tales from the Field: Scholarly Publishing Experiences & Cautions
Recording of a UNH RCR Program workshop from April 2021.

Ten Simple Rules - PLOS Collection

Ten Simple Rules for Managing Communications with a Large Number of Coauthors
Muscarella R, Poorter L (2022) Ten simple rules for managing communications with a large number of coauthors. PLoS Comput Biol 18(6): e1010185. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010185
Ten Simple Rules for Avoiding Predatory Publishing Scams
Citation: Leonard M, Stapleton S, Collins P, Selfe TK, Cataldo T (2021) Ten simple rules for avoiding predatory publishing scams. PLoS Comput Biol 17(9): e1009377. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009377
Ten Simple Rules for Collaboratively Writing a Multi-authored Paper
Frassl MA, Hamilton DP, Denfeld BA, de Eyto E, Hampton SE, Keller PS, et al. (2018) Ten simple rules for collaboratively writing a multi-authored paper. PLoS Comput Biol 14(11): e1006508. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006508
Ten Simple Rules for Scientists: Improving your Writing Productivity
Peterson TC, Kleppner SR, Botham CM (2018) Ten simple rules for scientists: Improving your writing productivity. PLoS Comput Biol 14(10): e1006379. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006379
Ten Simple Rules for Responsible Referencing
Penders B (2018) Ten simple rules for responsible referencing. PLoS Comput Biol 14(4): e1006036. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006036
Ten Simple Rules to Consider Regarding Preprint Submission
Bourne PE, Polka JK, Vale RD, Kiley R (2017) Ten simple rules to consider regarding preprint submission. PLoS Comput Biol13(5): e1005473. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005473
Ten Simple Rules for Structuring Papers
Mensh B, Kording K (2017) Ten simple rules for structuring papers. PLoS Comput Biol13(9): e1005619. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005619
Ten Simple (Empirical) Rules for Writing Science
Weinberger CJ, Evans JA, Allesina S (2015) Ten Simple (Empirical) Rules for Writing Science. PLoS Comput Biol 11(4): e1004205. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004205
Ten Simple Rules for Writing Research Papers
Zhang W (2014) Ten Simple Rules for Writing Research Papers. PLoS Comput Biol 10(1): e1003453. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003453
Ten Simple Rules for Better Figures
Rougier NP, Droettboom M, Bourne PE (2014) Ten Simple Rules for Better Figures. PLoS Comput Biol 10(9): e1003833. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003833
Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Literature Review
Pautasso M (2013) Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Literature Review. PLoS Comput Biol 9(7): e1003149. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003149
Ten Simple Rules for Getting Published
Bourne PE (2005) Ten Simple Rules for Getting Published. PLoS Comput Biol 1(5): e57. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.0010057

Resources

Frontiers’ journals saw large scale retractions—where does that leave the publisher’s reputation with researchers?
The BMJ, 3/27/2024
Some thoughts on eLife’s New Model: One year on
BishopBlog, 3/27/2024
The impact of researchers’ perceived pressure on their publication strategies
Research Evaluation, 3/25/2024
How to avoid being duped by predatory journals
The BMJ, 3/7/2024
Physician in India who coauthored review with US profs is running a paper mill
Retraction Watch, 3/2/2024
MD Anderson tried — and failed — to resolve research credit dispute between two scientists, new documents show
STAT, 2/26/2024
MD Anderson cancer researcher's lawsuit accuses high-profile scientist of taking credit for her work
The Houston Chronicle, 2/9/2024
Fake research papers flagged by analysing authorship trends
Nature, 2/7/2024
Citation cartels help some mathematicians—and their universities—climb the rankings
Science, 1/30/2024
Journal retracts 80 papers ID’d as paper mill products following sleuth’s report, Undark-Retraction Watch investigation
Retraction Watch, 1/30/2024
Journal retracts more than 50 studies from Saudi Arabia for faked authorship
Retraction Watch, 1/26/2024
Open-access papers draw more citations from a broader readership
Science, 1/24/2024
Gift authorship common in psychology, survey suggests
Retraction Watch, 1/19/2024
Science’s fake-paper problem: high-profile effort will tackle paper mills
Science, 1/18/2024
‘We should have followed up’: Lancet journal retracts article on hearing aids and dementia after prodding
Retraction Watch, 1/4/2024

Wiley's Best Practice Guidelines on Publishing Ethics

US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Guide to Authorship Best Practices

Working Scientist podcast: How to bounce back from a bruising peer-review or paper rejection

Michael LaCour
A case involving data fabrication and falsification, and mentoring issues.
The Paroxetine 352 Bipolar Study Revisited: Deconstruction of Corporate and Academic Misconduct
A case wherein the use of ghostwriters and key opinion leaders contributed to the publication of a medical journal article containing manipulated outcome data to favor a proprietary medication.
Jan Hendrik Schon
A case involving data fabrication and data management and authorship issues.