Authorship criterion
Each listed author must make a meaningful contribution to at least one substantive aspect such as conception, design, research, data/visual production or analysis, drafting or substantial scholarly revision; approve the version to be published; and accept accountability for their contribution.
Improper authorship
- Adding a person without substantive contribution because of status, seniority, administrative role or reciprocity (gift/honorary authorship).
- Omitting a substantial contributor (ghost authorship).
- Manipulating author order through pressure, interest or deception.
- Listing an AI tool or software as an author.
Contribution statement and changes
Multi-author works should state contributions transparently; role taxonomies such as CRediT may be used where appropriate. Adding/removing/reordering authors after submission requires a reasoned request and written agreement from all relevant authors; the platform does not arbitrarily adjudicate unresolved authorship disputes and may refer them to institutions where necessary.
Acknowledgements and other contributions
Technical, language, visual, financial or advisory contributions that do not meet authorship criteria may be acknowledged with appropriate permission. Professional editing or AI-assisted production should be transparently disclosed where its effect on the content is material.
This text is an institutional operating policy of STA Congress. Applicable law, competent-authority decisions and stricter event-specific rules prevail where relevant. Policies must remain consistent with actual workflows and technical systems.