Friday, March 28, 2025
Written by
Casey Westlake

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) has unveiled a new authorship agreement tool designed to help prevent authorship disputes and enhance collaboration among researchers. This tool aims to streamline and document conversations about authorship early in the process, promoting transparency and proactive communication.

“The new tool encourages investigators to engage in proactive discussions about authorship and to document these conversations,” said Mike Andrews, director of research integrity and security. “By addressing these critical points early and revisiting them often, teams can ensure that all contributors have a shared understanding of their roles and how their efforts will be recognized.”

The authorship agreement tool allows researchers to:

  • Indicate roles and responsibilities: Clearly define the contributions of each author to the project. This includes specifying tasks such as project design, data collection, analysis, and manuscript writing.
  • Document determinations about authorship order: Establish the sequence in which authors will appear on the publication. This aspect is crucial in fields where authorship order can significantly impact professional recognition and career advancement.
  • Set publication goals: Outline the intended publication outlets and timelines, ensuring that all team members are aligned on the project's objectives and schedule.

For more detailed information about authorship policies at the University of Iowa (UI) and answers to frequently asked questions, researchers can visit the new UI Authorship webpage. This resource provides comprehensive guidelines on authorship practices and expectations on authorship practices at the UI. Prospective authors should review the specific journal instructions in addition the authorship tool when have discussions for planned publications.

Questions or concerns regarding authorship issues or the use of the authorship agreement tool can be directed to Mike Andrews, the director of research integrity and security, at OVPR-RIO@uiowa.edu.