Coauthor

A coauthor is a person who has contributed substantially to the creation of a published work and is credited as a coauthor alongside one or more other authors. In scholarly publishing, coauthors are typically listed in an order that reflects contribution or field conventions, and they share responsibility for the content and integrity of the work. The designation implies accountability for the work as a whole, including parts with which the coauthor was involved.

Authorship standards often specify criteria for who may be listed as a coauthor. Common requirements include substantive contributions to the conception or design of the work, or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; involvement in drafting or revising the manuscript; approval of the final version to be published; and agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work. Some fields also use equal-contribution notes to indicate shared leadership among coauthors.

Ethical considerations address issues such as ghost authorship, where a contributor is not acknowledged, and gift or honorary authorship, where individuals are credited without meaningful involvement. The order of coauthors can influence recognition, career progression, and citation metrics, and many disciplines allow or require statements of equal contribution when appropriate.

Coauthorship is common across disciplines beyond academia, including book publishing, journalism, film, and software development, where multiple creators collaborate on content. Clear communication about roles and written authorship agreements help prevent disputes and ensure fair attribution of credit and responsibility.

In summary, a coauthor is a collaborator who has made substantial intellectual contributions and shares in the recognition, accountability, and responsibility attached to a published work.