Authorship in Multicenter studies: GEMINI as an example

In multicenter trials, all members of the group who are named as authors should fully meet the criteria for authorship. 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. 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. 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. Authors should be prepared to explain the order in which authors are listed.

It is agreed that all authors in publications from GEMINI should meet the criteria for authorship mentioned in Uniform Requirements. 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. 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. Two categories of manuscripts will be prepared from GEMINI data and each will have a separate, yet basically similar, process for authorship assignment.

A. Major manuscripts 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.

B. Focused manuscripts 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: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.

Special considerations 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.