What Are the Responsibilities of Corresponding Authors?

Disseminating research findings is a crucial aspect of the scientific process. It allows for the sharing of knowledge, fosters collaboration, and advances our understanding of various fields. This process involves a significant amount of ‘communication’ and ‘correspondence’, particularly when it comes to publishing research. To ensure a seamless and organised approach, one person is typically designated as the corresponding author, a role that carries significant responsibilities. 

Roles and Responsibilities of the Corresponding Author

1. Overseeing the Preparation, Submission, and Acceptance Process

The corresponding author plays an important role in overseeing the entire lifecycle of a research manuscript. This begins with the preparation of the article, ensuring that it meets the target journal’s guidelines and standards. The corresponding author coordinates the submission process, managing timelines and ensuring that all necessary documents are included. Once submitted, they act as the primary point of contact, addressing any queries or requests from the journal until the article is accepted for publication.

2. Managing All Correspondence Related to the Article

Communication with the journal’s editor and coordinating revisions are critical tasks for the corresponding author. This role includes responding to reviewers’ comments, facilitating discussions among co-authors to address feedback, and resubmitting revised manuscripts. The corresponding author ensures that the dialogue between the authors and the editorial team is smooth and efficient, ultimately leading to the successful publication of the research.

3. Handling Administrative Duties

The corresponding author is responsible for managing various administrative requirements associated with the publication process. This includes securing ethics committee approval, if necessary, registering clinical trials, and disclosing any potential conflicts of interest. These tasks are essential to maintain the integrity and transparency of the research, ensuring compliance with ethical and regulatory standards.

4. Executing the Publishing Agreement

On behalf of all the authors, the corresponding author signs the publishing agreement. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the publication, including copyright and licensing issues. By signing, the corresponding author legally binds all co-authors to the agreement, underscoring the importance of their role in the publication process.

5. Ensuring Accurate Author Information

Ensuring that all authorship details, including contact details and affiliations are correct is another crucial responsibility of the corresponding author. Accurate information is essential for proper attribution, correspondence, and academic recognition. The corresponding author verifies these details before submission and maintains their accuracy throughout the publication process.

6. Safeguarding the Integrity of the Published Data

The corresponding author bears significant responsibility for the integrity of the published data. This includes verifying the accuracy of the results, ensuring the absence of plagiarism, and maintaining the veracity of the research findings. Upholding these standards is vital for maintaining the credibility and reliability of the scientific record.

7. Post-publication Responsibilities

In addition to the above duties, the corresponding author may also be involved in post-publication activities such as responding to queries from readers, promoting the published work, and engaging in discussions that arise from the research. They may also handle requests for data sharing and ensure compliance with open-access requirements where applicable.

Selection of the Corresponding Author

1. Experience and seniority in the field often play a significant role, with the principal investigator or most senior author frequently assuming the corresponding author role due to their comprehensive understanding of the research project and its broader implications.
2. Availability and dedication to manage the publication process efficiently are crucial considerations, as the corresponding author needs to allocate sufficient time and effort to oversee the various responsibilities involved.
3. Expertise and familiarity with the specific subject matter or methodology employed in the research can be advantageous, as the corresponding author may need to address technical queries or provide clarifications during the peer review process.
4. Communication skills and attention to detail are essential, as the corresponding author serves as the primary liaison between the co-authors, editors, and reviewers, ensuring clear and effective correspondence throughout the publication process.
5. Institutional policies or funding agency guidelines may sometimes dictate the selection criteria for the corresponding author, particularly in collaborative projects involving multiple institutions or research groups.
6. In some cases, the corresponding author may be chosen based on their prior experience in successfully guiding manuscripts through the publication process, demonstrating their ability to navigate the administrative and logistical challenges effectively.
7. Collaborative decision-making among the co-authors is often the preferred approach, as it allows for careful consideration of each individual's strengths, availability, and suitability for the role.
8. In instances where no clear consensus can be reached, the corresponding author may be determined based on a predetermined rotation system or by mutual agreement among the research team members.
9. For large-scale projects with numerous authors from diverse institutions, it is not uncommon to have multiple corresponding authors designated, each responsible for specific aspects of the publication process or representing their respective research groups.

Multiple Corresponding Authors

In instances where there are a large number of authors, it may be practical to designate more than one corresponding author. This can help distribute the workload and ensure that correspondence and administrative duties are managed efficiently. Multiple corresponding authors can also facilitate smoother communication, particularly in large, multi-centre studies where coordination across different institutions is required.

Closing Note

The role of the corresponding author is very important in the publication of academic research. They are responsible for holding the communication and administrative aspects of the process together, ensuring that the manuscript progresses smoothly from preparation to publication. By overseeing the submission, handling correspondence, managing administrative tasks, and maintaining the integrity of the data, the corresponding author plays a critical role in advancing scientific knowledge and ensuring the reliability of the published research. Their contributions are fundamental to the dissemination of research, underscoring the importance of their role in the academic community.