On authorship in science: power, misconduct, responsibility and accountability

Indian J Med Ethics. 2022 Jul-Sep;VII(3):184-188. doi: 10.20529/IJME.2022.015. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Abstract

The discovery of a case of data manipulation resulting in retraction of a high-impact paper revived conversations around scientific misconduct in India. Such malpractice is neither new nor rare. When it is discovered, there is a tendency to push the blame onto a junior author. But what makes one eligible to be an author in a scientific manuscript? In a case of misconduct, which authors must take the blame, and how do we hold them accountable? In this essay, I use the case of the recent retraction mentioned above to highlight the contentious nature of authorship in science.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Authorship*
  • Communication
  • Humans
  • Publishing
  • Scientific Misconduct*
  • Social Responsibility