Authorship and Contributorship

Introduction
The International Journal of Data Science (IJoDS) believes that clear and accurate attribution of authorship and contributorship is essential for maintaining transparency and accountability in scholarly publishing. This policy outlines the criteria for authorship and the responsibilities of authors.

Description
Authorship confers credit and has important academic, social, and financial implications. It also implies responsibility for the published work. IJoDS requires that all individuals listed as authors meet specific criteria for authorship and that all who meet these criteria are appropriately listed. Contributions from individuals who do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged.

The Policy

  • Authorship Criteria: IJoDS defines an author as someone who has made substantial contributions to all of the following aspects of the research:
    1. Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; AND
    2. Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; AND
    3. Final approval of the version to be published; AND
    4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
  • Non-Author Contributors: All contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be listed in an acknowledgements section. Examples include individuals who provided purely technical help, writing assistance, or general supervision of a research group if these contributions do not meet all four authorship criteria.
  • Order of Authorship: The order of authors should be a joint decision of the co-authors. Authors should be prepared to explain the order in which they are listed. IJoDS does not prescribe a specific order but expects authors to have reached an agreement before submission.
  • Changes to Authorship: Any changes to the author list (additions, deletions, or reordering) after submission must be approved by all authors, including any added or removed authors. A clear explanation for the change must be provided to the Editor-in-Chief.
  • Ghost, Guest, or Gift Authorship: IJoDS prohibits ghost authorship (omitting individuals who meet authorship criteria), guest authorship (including individuals who do not meet authorship criteria purely to enhance the perceived credibility of the paper), and gift authorship (including individuals out of obligation, respect, or in return for a favor, without qualifying contribution).
  • Contributorship Statements: IJoDS encourages authors to include a contributorship statement outlining the specific contributions of each author to the manuscript.
  • Authorship Disputes: IJoDS will address authorship disputes by following established ethical guidelines. The journal will not arbitrate authorship disputes but may request that authors resolve disputes through their institutions.

Implementation of the Policy

  • Author Responsibility: All authors are responsible for the integrity of their contributions and for ensuring that the authorship list accurately reflects who performed the work.
  • Corresponding Author: The corresponding author is the primary contact for the journal office and is responsible for:
    • Ensuring that all listed authors have approved the manuscript's submission to IJoDS and all subsequent revisions.
    • Ensuring all authors are aware of and have approved the final version of the manuscript.
    • Managing all communication between the journal and all co-authors, before and after publication.
    • Ensuring that all authors' contact details are current.
  • Declaration: During submission, the corresponding author must confirm that all authors meet the journal's authorship criteria and have approved the manuscript. IJoDS may require all authors to sign an authorship declaration form.
  • Acknowledgement of Non-Author Contributors: Authors must ensure that anyone who made substantial contributions but does not meet authorship criteria is acknowledged with their permission.
  • Managing Disputes:
    • Authors are encouraged to discuss and agree on authorship before submitting their work.
    • If an authorship dispute arises, authors should first attempt to resolve it among themselves or with the assistance of their institutions.
    • If a dispute cannot be resolved, the Editor-in-Chief should be informed. Publication may be suspended pending resolution.
    • If a dispute arises after publication, IJoDS will investigate and may issue a correction or other appropriate notice.