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JCRELC Journal Logo - Journal of Creative Research in English Literature and Culture
Journal of Creative Research in
English Literature and Culture
ISSN No.: 3108-0812

Authorship Policy

Authorship Policy - JCRELC
Defining Authorship at JCRELC

JCRELC adheres to the highest standards of academic integrity and transparency in authorship. This policy outlines the criteria for authorship, the responsibilities of authors, and procedures for resolving authorship disputes.

The Journal of Creative Research in English Literature and Culture (JCRELC) follows the authorship guidelines established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). These guidelines ensure that authorship credit is based on substantive contributions and that all authors are accountable for their work.

Contents

1. Authorship Criteria

ICMJE Criteria for Authorship

To be listed as an author, a contributor must meet ALL FOUR of the following criteria:

1
Substantial Contribution

Significant contributions to conception, design, data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of the research.

2
Drafting or Revision

Active involvement in drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content.

3
Final Approval

Final approval of the version to be published.

4
Accountability

Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work and to ensure questions regarding accuracy or integrity are appropriately resolved.

Important: All authors must meet all four criteria. Mere acquisition of funding, collection of data, or general supervision alone does not justify authorship.

2. Author Contributions

Authors are required to provide a detailed description of each author's contributions. The following contribution categories are recognized:

Contribution Category Description
Conceptualization Ideas, formulation or evolution of research goals and aims
Methodology Development or design of methodology; creation of models
Research/Analysis Research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation
Writing - Original Draft Preparation, creation, and presentation of the published work
Writing - Review & Editing Critical review, commentary, or revision of the work
Supervision Oversight and leadership for research activity planning and execution
Project Administration Management and coordination of research activity planning and execution
Funding Acquisition Acquisition of financial support for the project
Example Contribution Statement:

Author 1: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing - Original Draft
Author 2: Research/Analysis, Writing - Review & Editing
Author 3: Supervision, Project Administration, Funding Acquisition

3. Corresponding Author

Responsibilities
  • Primary contact for all editorial communications
  • Coordinate with co-authors on revisions
  • Respond to reviewer comments
  • Manage submission and resubmission process
  • Ensure all authors approve final version
  • Provide required documentation
Requirements
  • Provide complete contact information
  • ORCID ID is strongly recommended
  • Maintain accurate records
  • Promptly respond to communications
  • Confirm all co-authors' contributions
  • Retrieve and provide all necessary documents

4. Co-Authorship Guidelines

Best Practices
  • Discuss authorship before starting the research
  • Define roles and responsibilities early
  • Agree on authorship order
  • Document all contributions
  • Review authorship periodically
  • Resolve disagreements constructively
Common Issues
  • "Gift" or "guest" authorship without contribution
  • "Ghost" authorship (undisclosed contributors)
  • Authorship disputes over order
  • Inclusion of authors without knowledge
  • Exclusion of legitimate contributors

5. Authorship Order

The order of authors on a manuscript should be a collective decision based on the significance of contributions. Generally, the following conventions apply:

First Author

Makes the most substantial contribution to the research and writing. Often the primary researcher.

Middle Authors

Listed in order of contribution significance. Each has made substantial contributions.

Last Author

Often the senior researcher, supervisor, or principal investigator who provided oversight.

Note: Authorship order must be agreed upon by all authors before submission. Changes to authorship order after submission require written consent from all authors.

6. Author Responsibilities

Scientific Responsibilities
  • Ensure accuracy and integrity of research
  • Present findings honestly and without fabrication
  • Acknowledge limitations of the research
  • Provide complete and accurate references
  • Ensure reproducibility of results
  • Maintain research data and records
Ethical Responsibilities
  • Declare any conflicts of interest
  • Adhere to ethical guidelines for research
  • Obtain necessary permissions for copyrighted material
  • Report any ethical concerns immediately
  • Respond to inquiries about the research
  • Correct errors if identified after publication
Authorship Agreement

All authors are required to sign an authorship agreement confirming:

  • They meet the authorship criteria
  • They have approved the submitted version
  • They agree to be accountable for the work
  • They have disclosed all conflicts of interest
  • They understand the copyright and licensing terms

7. Dispute Resolution

Authorship disputes can be complex and challenging. JCRELC follows a structured process for resolving authorship disputes:

1
Internal Discussion

Authors should attempt to resolve disputes through direct communication and negotiation.

2
Institutional Mediation

If internal resolution fails, authors may involve their institutions for mediation.

3
Editorial Involvement

The editorial office may be consulted for guidance on authorship standards and policies.

4
COPE Guidelines

In unresolved cases, the journal follows the COPE guidelines for resolving authorship disputes.

8. Honorary/Guest Authorship

Prohibition of Honorary/Guest Authorship

JCRELC strictly prohibits the practice of including individuals as authors who have not made substantial contributions to the research or manuscript. Honorary, guest, or gift authorship is considered a serious breach of academic integrity.

Legitimate Inclusions
  • Individuals who made substantial intellectual contributions
  • Supervisors who contributed to conception and design
  • Collaborators who contributed to data analysis or interpretation
  • Individuals who critically revised the manuscript
Not Legitimate Authorship
  • Department heads or senior faculty without substantial contribution
  • Individuals who only provided funding or resources
  • Individuals who only provided general supervision
  • Individuals who helped with data collection only
  • Individuals added as a courtesy

9. Group Authorship

For large collaborative projects, group authorship may be appropriate. The following guidelines apply:

  • Group Name: The group name is listed as the author
  • Individual Members: All group members who meet authorship criteria are listed in a supplementary section
  • Corresponding Author: A designated representative from the group serves as corresponding author
  • Contributions: Individual contributions of group members should be documented
  • Accountability: The group as a whole is accountable for the work

Example: "The JCRELC Collaborative Research Group" with individual members listed in the acknowledgments or supplementary materials.

10. Changes in Authorship

Adding Authors
  • Requires justification of contribution
  • Written consent from all existing authors
  • Written consent from the new author
  • Explanation of why author was not included initially
  • Approval by the editorial office
Removing Authors
  • Requires justification for removal
  • Written consent from all remaining authors
  • Written consent from the removed author
  • Approval by the editorial office
  • Potential investigation if removal is contested

Important: Changes in authorship after submission will only be considered with valid justification and the agreement of all authors. Changes after acceptance are generally not permitted except in exceptional circumstances.

Related Policies

Journal Ethics Policy
Conflict of Interest
Plagiarism Policy

Questions About Authorship?

If you have any questions about authorship criteria, responsibilities, or disputes, please contact our editorial office.

Phone:
+91-7665235235

Please include "Authorship Query" in your email subject line for faster response.

Related Policies

Key Information

Status Active
Version 1.0
Last Updated January 2025

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