Authorship and Contributorship Policy

Shivaanya Publications is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency in scholarly publishing. As part of our dedication to promoting ethical conduct and responsible authorship practices, we have established a comprehensive Authorship and Contributorship Policy in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). This policy aims to ensure that authorship credit is assigned appropriately, that all contributors are acknowledged for their contributions, and that conflicts of interest are disclosed transparently.

Definition of authorship

Authorship credit in scholarly publishing should be based on substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research study. According to COPE and ICMJE guidelines, an individual should be considered an author if they meet the following criteria,

• Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the study, or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data.
• Drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content.
• Final approval of the version to be published.
• Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
• Contributions that do not meet these criteria should be acknowledged separately from authorship in the byline or in the acknowledgments section.

Authorship responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the research presented in their manuscript, as well as for adhering to ethical standards and publishing guidelines. This includes,

• Providing accurate and complete information about their contributions to the study, as well as the contributions of other individuals who are listed as authors or contributors.
• Disclosing any conflicts of interest or financial relationships that may influence the research or its interpretation.
• Obtaining permission from all individuals listed as authors or contributors, as well as any individuals or organizations mentioned in the manuscript, before submitting the manuscript for publication.
• Ensuring that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript before submission.

Contributorship

In addition to authors, individuals who have made significant contributions to the research study but do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged appropriately. This may include individuals who have provided technical assistance, data collection, or critical review of the manuscript, as well as those who have provided financial support or administrative assistance.

Contributorship should be acknowledged in the byline or in a separate acknowledgments section, with a clear description of each individual’s contributions to the study. Contributors should review and approve the acknowledgment of their contributions before publication.

Authorship disputes

In cases where disputes arise regarding authorship credit or the order of authors, Shivaanya Publications will follow the COPE and ICMJE guidelines for resolving authorship disputes. This may involve facilitating communication between the parties involved, seeking input from relevant stakeholders, and, if necessary, consulting with an independent arbiter or advisory board to reach a resolution.

Conflicts of interest disclosure

Authors are required to disclose any conflicts of interest or financial relationships that may influence the research or its interpretation. This includes financial relationships with commercial entities, affiliations with organizations that may have a vested interest in the research outcomes, and any other conflicts of interest that could potentially bias the study results.

Conflicts of interest disclosures should be included in the manuscript, either as a separate section or within the acknowledgments section. Authors should also provide a statement indicating whether they have any conflicts of interest to disclose.

Shivaanya Publications is committed to promoting ethical authorship and contributorship practices in scholarly publishing. By adhering to the guidelines outlined by COPE and ICMJE, we strive to ensure that authorship credit is assigned appropriately, that all contributors are acknowledged for their contributions, and that conflicts of interest are disclosed transparently. Through these efforts, we aim to maintain the integrity and credibility of the research published in our journals and to uphold the trust and confidence of our readers, authors, reviewers, and the broader academic community.