Transcript Authorship in Multicenter studies: an example

Authorship in Multicenter
studies: GEMINI as an
example
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In multicenter trials, all members of the group
who are named as authors should fully meet the
criteria for authorship.
Group members who do not meet these criteria
should be listed, with their permission, in the
Acknowledgments or in an appendix.
The order of authorship on the byline should be
a joint decision of the Principal Investigators
(PI’s) based on the coauthors’ opinions.
Authors should be prepared to explain the order
in which authors are listed.
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It is agreed that all authors in publications
from GEMINI should meet the criteria for
authorship mentioned in Uniform
Requirements.
In each manuscript “prominent”
authorship is defined as first, second, and
last authors.
Two categories of manuscripts will be
prepared from GEMINI data and each will
have a separate, yet basically similar,
process for authorship assignment.
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A. Major manuscripts
– These are manuscripts which report on major findings of the
study as a whole. They are the key articles of the research and
their number will not exceed 2 for case-control and 2 for cohort
studies.
– Authorship in these manuscripts will be as inclusive as possible.
The group of principal investigators will assign the writing and
analysis team. This team will include at least one person from
each institution.
– The byline will include (without order): PI’s, writing and analysis
team, main investigators and field personnel actively involved in
data collection management and/or supervision, investigators,
laboratory personnel actively involved in sample analysis
management and/or supervision, members of GEMINI-affiliated
groups who have substantially participated in activities
delineated by Uniform Requirements (vide supra), and any other
person(s) who meet authorship criteria defined above.
– Each manuscript will have three prominent authors Each
institution (namely DDRC, NCI and IARC) will have one position
as a prominent author upon agreement.
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B. Focused manuscripts
– These are manuscripts which report: 1.
findings regarding a special group of
variables, 2. manuscripts reporting findings in
a special group of patients, 3. secondary
analyses testing new hypotheses based on
available data, 4. new analyses/data
performed on samples/study subjects to test
newly-developed hypotheses, 5. any other
which report a special aspect or group in the
study.
• These manuscripts might follow two courses:
– b-1. A focused manuscript might be suggested to the
PI’s by a GEMINI colleague or group. The person(s)
suggesting such manuscript should submit a one or
two page proposal. The proposal should briefly
explain objectives of the manuscript/analysis,
methods used, why they feel it is appropriate, a
timetable and the final byline (this may include the
idea owner as the first author, or in case of a group of
idea owners as prominent authors).
– PI’s can add names of people they feel have been
actively related to the analysis/writing proposed, but
these may not be added as prominent authors.
– b-2. A focused manuscript might be suggested by PI’s
to a GEMINI colleague or group.
– In this case the assigned person (assignee), if accepts
to write the manuscript, will prepare a byline proposal
and a timetable.
– The byline should include at least the assigning PI
(preferably all PI’s), and the prominent authorship will
be a matter of agreement between the assignee and
PI’s. Names and order of coauthors will also be
agreed on.
– PI’s may include people who do not participate in
analysis/writing, but have been directly involved in
the work reported by the focused manuscript.
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Special considerations
– a. Joiners: a joiner is a person who joins the GEMINI team
during the course of study or manuscript composition. A joiner
will only be included in the byline for a major manuscript if his
activity has an impact on the content of the manuscript. There is
no limit in their participation in focused manuscripts, either as
idea owners or assignees.
– b. Leavers: leavers are GEMINI colleagues who cannot, for
various reasons, continue their cooperation with the study.
These may be included as authors of major and focused
manuscripts, depending on the share they have had in the study
and the duration of their cooperation.
– c. Group authorship: if PI’s perceive that the number of authors
for a major manuscript exceeds an acceptable standard (e.g. 25
authors), they may decide to mention three prominent and “the
GEMINI group”. Names and affiliation of the group members will
be included in the manuscript.
– d. Acknowledgement: colleagues actively helping in sample
collection, analysis and technical work, who do not meet
authorship criteria may be thanked at the end of the manuscript.