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Authorship guidance

Authorship provides credit for an individual’s contributions to a research output and carries accountability. Responsibility for decisions regarding the authorship of publications lies with those who carried out the work reported in the publication. Researchers should be aware of the authorship practices within their own disciplines and should always abide by any authorship requirements stipulated by journals as part of their instructions.

See section 5 of the UoN Code of Research Conduct and Research Ethics in relation to publications and authorship.

Corresponding author

A corresponding author (also known as Lead Author) takes the lead, communicating with the journal during the manuscript submission, peer review and publication process. Prior to submission the authorship list and order must be agreed between all listed authors. Cambridge University Press have produced guidance on what 'corresponding author' means and what the role entails. 

First author/co-authors

The first author is usually the person who performed the central research to the project and also prepared the first draft of the manuscript.

Order of authors

The order of authors can be arranged in whatever order suits the research group best, but the submission must be made by the corresponding author.

Acknowledgements

Individuals who contributed to the work but whose contributions were not of sufficient magnitude to be listed as authors should be properly acknowledged, usually in an acknowledgements section.  

Always read the author guidelines produced by the journal you are looking to publish with, and also check any funder expectations.

Correctly attribute your publications

The University

Give the full University name in the institutional affiliation or contact address.

The preferred version for each campus is below. The final word of UNNC can be dropped if space requires.

Name and ORCID iD

It is common for the presentation of names to vary throughout a career.

Changes include including or excluding a middle initial, moving institutions or disciplines, or changing the name by which you are known. 

Setting up an ORCID iD which will stay consistent over time, makes it easier to bring your publications together.

More on ORCID

Research funder

Make sure you acknowledge the contribution of any research funder appropriately.

Use this format if your funder has not given specific guidance, particularly if you are applying for funding for open access.

Further information