This is a test version of Biostars. For the public version, visit https://www.biostars.org.
Forum: Authorship conflict and resolution

Hi All,

I have been working on a method paper for almost a year. My previous supervisor gave me some idea to develop this method as well as some whole genome data to test for this method. I wanted to have him as a co-author on this manuscript, but I don't know why he hasn't been responding to my emails for last 2 months. I want to submit the paper as soon as possible, and have already asked him if he wouldn't want to be a co-author, I would just like to acknowledge him for providing me the data to test for my method (still no response from him). What would you guys do in this situation?

publication authorship
• 637 views • link
updated by Ram Ram • written by MAPK MAPK

please, don't try to delete this question, or explain us why it should be deleted.

• 0 views • link
written by Pierre Lindenbaum Pierre Lindenbaum

Someone deleted it again, so I reopened it. Whoever is trying to delete this, please tell us why?

• 0 views • link
written by Emily Emily

It's actually rarely useful that an OP can delete a thread...

• 0 views • link
written by WouterDeCoster WouterDeCoster

I did try to delete it after reading all of your comments, especially Emily's comment. I don't want anyone from my previous group to see this post now. Thanks to all who contributed in this discussion.

• 0 views • link
written by MAPK MAPK

6 answers

Telephone him during working hours? Email is such an impersonal form of communication.

• 0 views • link
written by Kevin Blighe Kevin Blighe

If he's not responding, it may have nothing to do with you or your paper, he may be sick or on sabbatical or something. Can you get hold of his boss or a former co-worker who still works for him, and just ask if everything is OK? A sudden change in behaviour, if he was previously very happy to correspond, is usually indicative that something is going on. Make sure you phrase it that you're concerned about his well-being, not that you need him to do something and he's not done it – I wouldn't actually mention to the boss why you need to speak to him.

• 0 views • link
written by Emily Emily

ask https://academia.stackexchange.com/

• 0 views • link
written by Pierre Lindenbaum Pierre Lindenbaum

No email reply usually means no, or not interested. Perhaps 1) what he did is not enough for him to be a coauthor and 2) he'd rather see you publish it on your own since you did all the work.

• 0 views • link
written by theobroma22 theobroma22

However, not having someone in the list while that person should be on the list also not okay... calling his office, as suggested above, sounds like the way to go. You need explicit confirmation.

• 0 views • link
written by WouterDeCoster WouterDeCoster

IMO, keep him as co author and provide correct address of correspondence to the journal.Before you proceed,

1) Inform him of manuscript submission date, send him a draft for correction and ask him if manuscript needs any changes. Keep a copy of communication. 2) keep all other communications with coauthor, leading to this publication.

Unless coauthor doesn't want to be part of publication (in writing), it is better to keep him as coauthor.

• 0 views • link
written by cpad0112 cpad0112

But keep in mind that some journals require independent confirmation/agreement from each co-author. Adding someone as co-author without their consent can be tricky. If for any reason they object to it or to the content of the paper, you could get in trouble. If you can't get in touch with this person, acknowledge their contribution in the acknowledgement section of your paper. As for trying to contact the person, have you checked that the email you have is still valid or the person not gone on a sabbatical ? Try calling them/their lab/office or contact someone working with them to get an idea.

• 0 views • link
written by Jean-Karim Heriche Jean-Karim Heriche

That is what I have felt. Adding someone as a co-author without his/her consent could be tricky.

• 0 views • link
written by MAPK MAPK

It could lead to retraction of your paper, or a corrigendum, in case the co-author would protest and disagree with being an author.

• 0 views • link
written by WouterDeCoster WouterDeCoster

Under no circumstances should anyone be listed as a co-author without their prior, explicit consent. The problem that the OP has is that the person did not respond to the request to be a co-author.

The main issue is deciding whether the contributions are worthy of authorship. If not (or if it can go either way) then the simple solution is to move on with the publication without them being listed. If their contributions are essential and they don't respond you will need to replicate their contributions in some other way.

By the way "having an idea" alone does not count - does not warrant authorship. The execution of said idea is what matters.

• 0 views • link
written by Istvan Albert Istvan Albert

Log in to answer this question.

More posts like this