Name one ethical guideline for authorship in biomedical research.

Name one ethical guideline for authorship in biomedical research.

• A. Only first author decides
• B. ICMJE criteria; includes substantial contribution, drafting/revising, final approval, and accountability
• C. None
• D. Any author qualifies

Answer: (B)

Authorship in biomedical research should reflect meaningful intellectual contribution and responsibility for the work. The widely used guideline comes from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, which specifies four criteria that must be met for someone to be listed as an author: substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work, or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; final approval of the version to be published; and agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring questions related to accuracy or integrity are investigated and resolved. Meeting all four criteria helps prevent honorary or ghost authorship and ensures those listed can defend the work and its integrity. The other options don’t fit because authorship isn’t decided by a single person, there is a standard guideline, and simply being involved or qualified does not automatically grant authorship.

Authorship in biomedical research should reflect meaningful intellectual contribution and responsibility for the work. The widely used guideline comes from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, which specifies four criteria that must be met for someone to be listed as an author: substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work, or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; final approval of the version to be published; and agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring questions related to accuracy or integrity are investigated and resolved. Meeting all four criteria helps prevent honorary or ghost authorship and ensures those listed can defend the work and its integrity. The other options don’t fit because authorship isn’t decided by a single person, there is a standard guideline, and simply being involved or qualified does not automatically grant authorship.