In the case of a large, multi-center study, who should be listed as coauthors?

In a large, multi-center study, coauthors should be individuals who accept direct responsibility for the manuscript. This includes those who have contributed significantly to the conception, design, analysis, or interpretation of the study, and are willing to take public responsibility for its content. Listing authors in this manner ensures that those who have made substantial intellectual contributions to the work are appropriately recognized and accountable for the material presented.

This approach adheres to established authorship criteria, which often emphasize the need for authors to have a meaningful role in the research activities and the subsequent manuscript writing. Listing only those who meet these criteria helps maintain the integrity of the authorship and provides a clearer picture of who has been involved in the research, which is crucial in promoting transparency and accountability in scientific publications.

In contrast, authorship involving all members of the research team would dilute the responsibility and recognition for the work, while listing only the principal investigator or those who contributed funding does not reflect the collective effort often required in multi-center studies. The principle behind authorship is to ensure that all contributors who played a significant role in the research are given credit, while also ensuring that these individuals are willing to stand behind the work published.