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Physiologic vs. Pathologic Authorship in Scientific Publishing 

Physiologic vs. Pathologic Authorship in Scientific Publishing 

Why Do People Publish Fake Papers_ The Pressures and Motivations Behind Scientific Fraud
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Dr.Nanci | Research design and Mixed Methods Research.

24 Jan, 2025

Author 2

Dr.Nanci | Research design and Mixed Methods Research.
19 Jan, 2025

Introduction: The Principles of Scientific Authorship 

Authorship in scientific articles reflects the collaborative efforts and substantial contributions of researchers involved in the work. Genuine authorship demands active participation in study design, data acquisition, analysis, interpretation, or manuscript preparation [1]. However, honorary or pathologic authorship undermines these principles, raising significant ethical and legal concerns.

The Evolution of Authorship Criteria 

  1. The Role of the ICMJE Guidelines
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) defines an author as someone who actively contributes to the study and takes public responsibility for the content.
  • 1993 Vancouver Convention: Initially restrictive, it excluded mere data collection as grounds for authorship [2].
  • 2021 Update: Broadened criteria, recognizing data acquisition as a valid contribution.
  1. The European Charter of Researchers
This charter emphasizes creating a transparent framework for recognizing contributions, especially for early-career researchers vulnerable to exploitation [3].

Table 1: Criteria for Genuine vs. Honorary Authorship 

Responsive Table
Inclusion Criteria Genuine Author Honorary Author
Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation ✅ ❌
Drafting or revising the manuscript ✅ ❌
Final approval ✅ ❌
Accountability and public responsibility ✅ ❌
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Pathologic Authorship: A Growing Concern 

  1. Forms of Pathologic Authorship 

Pathologic authorship includes honorary authorship (gift or guest authors), ghost authorship, and even fake authorship. Each has a unique impact on the credibility of research [1] [4].  

Table 2: Common Pathologies of Authorship 

Responsive Table
Type Definition Examples Prevalence
Gift Author Added to appease senior colleagues Senior academicians Very common (>50%)
Ghost Author Paid to remain uncredited Sponsor payroll Common (20–50%)
Gold Author Paid to be credited "Allen’s Vodka Man" Uncommon (5–20%)
Fake Author Does not exist Fictional entities (e.g., S. Bestiale) Rare (<5%)

The Honorary Author: A Widespread Issue 

  1. Definition and Prevalence
Honorary authorship occurs when individuals with no substantial contribution are credited as authors. It is prevalent in over 50% of papers, with 3% containing three or more honorary authors [1].
  1. Why Honorary Authorship Happens
  • Hierarchical Pressure: Often given to senior colleagues or department heads.
  • Career Boost: Young colleagues may receive authorship to enhance their resumes [5].
  • Strategic Inclusion: Boosting the chances of publication by adding influential names [6].
  1. Ethical Implications
Honorary authorship dilutes the quality of research and can lead to conflicts over scientific recognition. A notable example is Harvey Feigenbaum’s seminal paper on echocardiography, where conflicts arose due to the absence of his supervisor’s name as an author [1]. [7]

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Implications of Pathologic Authorship 

  1. For the Research Community
Pathologic authorship undermines the reliability of research publications and creates barriers to transparent scientific communication.  [8]
  1. For Individual Researchers 
  • First and Last Authors: Their substantial contributions risk being overshadowed by honorary authors.
  • Middle Authors: Often included without significant input, reducing the credibility of the entire author list.
  1. Academic Rankings and Grants
Since academic progression is tied to publications, pathologic authorship skews rankings, funding decisions, and the overall perception of research quality.

Addressing Authorship Misconduct 

  1. Transparent Authorship Policies
  • Journals should enforce clear guidelines based on ICMJE standards.
  • Institutions should educate researchers on ethical authorship practices [2].
  1. Editorial and Peer Review Responsibility
Editors and reviewers must actively identify and flag pathologic authorship during the submission process.
  1. Support for Early-Career Researchers
Institutions should protect young researchers from exploitation by providing frameworks to recognize their contributions fairly [2]. [9]

Conclusion: Strengthening Research Integrity 

Genuine authorship is the cornerstone of scientific publishing, ensuring that contributions are accurately represented and credited. By addressing pathologic authorship through clear policies, education, and editorial oversight, the scientific community can uphold the integrity of research publications.

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