Publication Ethics: Authors' Obligations and Functions

Authors' duties do not end with paper submission only. Authors set the measure of quality, trustworthiness and impact of research within the academic community. Publishing research brings in many ethical issues, one of them being whether it is clear who got which credit or what each contributor did. Correct crediting of every person involved is very important, and the list of authors should reveal individual contributions in a clear way. Besides being merely a formality, publication policies also protect the rights of research participants, ensure that data are reliable, and keep people from using research inappropriately. Catching mistakes early can prevent problems in the future. Besides serving as the medium for publishing research, scientific journals are also the authorities who determine the standards of honesty and integrity in the world of research. What the editors decide greatly impacts the choice of the research to be published and the representation of different points of view. Even though it is not easy to deal with the misconduct, it is vital that fair results be achieved for everyone involved. Highly effective systems are those in which everyone is clear on what is expected of them and what their responsibilities are. In fact, the modern researcher is often faced with a multifaceted challenge when it comes to embracing the latest and greatest while at the same time adhering to the highest ethical standards.