Protocol for Authorship Changes
Requests for changes to the author list (additions, removals, reordering) after initial submission are scrutinized heavily. They require:
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Unanimous Written Consent: A signed statement or email from every author named in the original and proposed new list, explicitly agreeing to the change.
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Compelling Justification: A detailed, credible explanation for the requested change (e.g., an oversight in initial attribution, a re-evaluation of contributions).
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Corresponding Author Validation: The corresponding author must initiate the request and attest to its validity and the agreement of all co-authors.