Academic Authorship Wars: The Battle for First Author vs Corresponding Author

Navigating the intricate landscape of academic authorship reveals a complex hierarchy where the positions of first author vs corresponding author hold significant sway.
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This video delves into the nuances and power dynamics between these critical roles, shedding light on why first author and corresponding author matters so much. Each title carries with it weighty implications for recognition and future academic opportunities.
Understanding the importance of first author and corresponding author in research publications is crucial.
The video also discusses the subtle differences in first author vs co-author roles, highlighting that while co-authors contribute, they may not have as pivotal a role as the first author. The dynamics of authorship extend to the delicate balance between first author and second author, where even slight shifts in order can reflect significant changes in contribution and recognition.
The video explores the contentious debates and ethical dilemmas that often surround authorship in academic circles. It underscores the critical importance of transparency and fairness in the attribution of credit, which not only honors individual contributions but also upholds the integrity of the scientific endeavor itself.
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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Why Is Author Order Contested?
02:56 Too Many Authors on a paper?
05:15 Corresponding author
10:26 Gift Authorship?
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[@hedleypanama]

In Karolinska Institute, the first and corresponding author is a PhD student, while the last one is his/her supervisor!

[@Mhaelful]

I was burned twice by "senior" researchers as a student when it came to authorship. The first time, I was helping on the back-end of a conference wherein all of the editors of the major journals within the field sat at a series of round table-discussions to discuss future directions within that field. I was told to write a paper on the major themes that were covered within those discussions, and that I'd be an author on that paper. I kid you not, the editors took my work (word-for-word), placed their names on the manuscript, published it in the leading journal within the field, and put my name in the "acknowledgements" section. The second time I was working on a major collaboration with researchers from a different country (the funding for this project was in the millions). I produced two manuscripts from the work being done. The PI of the other collaborating country, who had a PhD student at the time, told me to place their student as first author on the manuscripts. That way, the student could include the articles within their own dissertation. This student was not affiliated with the project, and had not contributed any work. However, if I refused to put them as first author, the PI threatened to pull their portion of the funding from the project. Needless to say, I learned a lot from those experiences and have sword never to let it happen to me, or any student I supervise in the future.

[@user-in5xz4hq4l]

I am so fortunate to be a mathematician / theoretical computer scientist - we always order authors alphabetically. In fact, the described situation (putting somebody just because they are in the same group) would be borderline (?) misconduct in maths / tcs.

[@mamary9800]

Ah, only a daring soul like you could unravel such truths! With unmatched courage, you've peeled back layers to reveal what lies beneath.

[@kane6106]

In my field, more than 5-6 sets off alarm bells so loud that even a top hit gets sus. 3-4 is about the legit limit.

[@mphamphatso8136]

There should be clear and distinct roles assigned for authorship contributions. The 'author' designation should be reserved for those who made substantive intellectual contributions to the research work itself. The 'corresponding author' should just be called corresponder. Funders should also be separately acknowledged for providing financial support. Trying to merge these different roles creates ambiguity and potential conflicts over credit assignment. Maintaining transparency by explicitly delineating authors, corresponderss, and funders etc based on their specific roles is important for academic integrity.

[@Change_O]

Ive heard that too. A student that did all the leg work for a research project and wasnt even put as a named author on the research journal paper. The student let it happen and there was no ill feeling or concern by the student. I wonder if the student looks back and thinks differently now about it?

[@Inaka90]

Two professors I have worked with demanded they be first author on projects in which they wound up doing a lot less work than me. People outside of academia may not realize how ruthless, unethical, and immoral some academics are. When it comes to papers that are collaborations between professors and (post-)graduate students, in a lot of cases, the (post-)graduate student really deserve the first author position. Or even sole authorship. This is just anecdotal evidence from my own experiences, but I suspect it's fairly common.

[@user-wh4we7ep1t]

Hi,how can i conmect with you?!

[@adrianabuskin1022]

Hi Andy, Great video. I’m an ECR and I’m currently writing a paper. I also secured the funding and led the research. In my case, would it be better to publish as 1st author/ corresponding or last author/corresponding/lead author? I’d like a second opinion 😊

[@varalakshmia1528]

If you have done the research/experimental work as well then First Author. If you contribution is limited to funding and guiding the research which a student has done then corresponding author is appropriate. The student should be the first author.

[@adrianabuskin1022]

I’ve done both.

[@user-lt9tu1lv7l]

In my opinion, you should be the last author then.

[@aldorodriguez7310]

Claude just launched their iOS app y'all🥳

[@brbicecream1249]

Andy, How many first author papers is good for an early career researcher?

[@naftalibendavid]

Depends on your field. One that appears in a great journal is better than three in a bad one. In any field, if you publish three in good journals that build on one another, that’s a good sign.

[@oscarstaszky1960]

just focus on doing a good one man, you'd be way less burnout by not worrying about paper amounts than actual paper quality

[@user-lt9tu1lv7l]

There are 10 million papers last year alone. Most academics only have a few pieces of gold on a large pile of s***, and they hallucinate themselves thinking that they have published a heap of gold. :). Just publish…or perish.

[@Jieyang-gp2mq]

How much does the university and the professor typically make, directly or indirectly, from each publication?

[@user-in5xz4hq4l]

Nothing directly. Indirectly, it contributes to your promotions.

[@Jieyang-gp2mq]

@@user-in5xz4hq4l That is what I thought but when I publish an article or download an article from a journal I have to pay where does all that money go to? Is the university making money directly so that it rewards the faculties by promoting them?

[@epireve]

I’ll have Chat GPT as my first author cheers

[@user-lt9tu1lv7l]

Didn’t realise you are based in Australia. :). Well done. Please talk about the crazy stupid obsession over h index, and the completely flawed non double-blinded funding system.

[@oliverknill631]

5000 authors for a paper is indeed hilarious.

[@ColdNavigator]

Having 5000 authors sort of diminishes the importance of every author beyond the first and makes the problem even worse.

[@scottmiller2591]

When the authors include craft services, you know they've gone too far.

[@64standardtrickyness]

In math/Computer Science we go by alphabetical order.

[@imthatnggruponthatnag7784]

Aside the first author, who is obviously responsible for most of the work, ALL other authors should be named alphabetically.

[@nicholasasante2295]

What does it mean to have your name come second among five authors?

[@leondbleondb]

2nd out of 5 :)

[@user-lt9tu1lv7l]

That means it is nothing. :). Only the first and last are being glanced, everyone else in between will be forgotten. Don’t be deceived.