Authorship and Contributorship Policy

Policy Statement
The International Journal of Research on Multidisciplinary Studies (IJROMS) upholds the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in scholarly publishing. Authorship credit must accurately reflect individuals who have made significant intellectual contributions to the research. All listed authors share responsibility and accountability for the content of the manuscript.

Definition of Authorship
Authorship is based on substantial contributions to the research and publication process. IJROMS adopts internationally recognized standards consistent with best practices in scholarly publishing.

To qualify as an author, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Significant contribution to the conception, design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of the study
  • Participation in drafting the manuscript or critically revising it for important intellectual content
  • Approval of the final version of the manuscript prior to submission
  • Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring accuracy and integrity

Individuals who do not meet all criteria should not be listed as authors but may be acknowledged appropriately.

Author Responsibilities

Authors must:

  • Ensure that all listed authors meet the criteria for authorship
  • Confirm that no eligible contributor has been omitted
  • Ensure that the manuscript is original and free from plagiarism
  • Provide accurate affiliations and contact information
  • Identify the corresponding author who will manage communication with the journal
  • Ensure that all co-authors approve the final manuscript and consent to submission
  • Disclose contributions and any relevant conflicts of interest

Contributorship Statement

IJROMS requires a clear description of each author’s contribution to promote transparency.

Authors are encouraged to specify contributions using roles such as:

  • Conceptualization
  • Methodology
  • Data Collection
  • Data Analysis
  • Writing – Original Draft
  • Writing – Review and Editing

This statement may be published alongside the article.

Corresponding Author Responsibilities

The corresponding author is responsible for:

  • Managing all communication with the journal during submission, review, and publication
  • Ensuring that all co-authors are informed of submission status and editorial decisions
  • Coordinating responses to reviewers’ comments
  • Verifying that all authors meet authorship criteria and approve the final manuscript

Changes in Authorship

Any changes to authorship (addition, removal, or reordering of authors) must be:

  • Requested formally in writing
  • Approved by all listed authors, including those being added or removed
  • Justified with valid reasons

Authorship changes after acceptance are subject to strict editorial review and may be denied if insufficient justification is provided.

Acknowledgment of Non-Author Contributions

Individuals who contributed to the research but do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged. Examples include:

  • Technical support
  • Editorial assistance
  • Funding acquisition

Acknowledgments must not include individuals without their consent.

Prohibited Authorship Practices

The following practices are strictly prohibited:

  • Ghost authorship – Excluding individuals who made significant contributions
  • Gift (honorary) authorship – Including individuals who did not contribute meaningfully
  • Guest authorship – Adding individuals to increase credibility without contribution

Such practices constitute unethical behavior and may lead to rejection or retraction.

Disclosure and Transparency

  • All authorship and contributorship information must be clearly disclosed upon submission
  • Any disputes regarding authorship will be handled in accordance with ethical guidelines
  • The Editorial Board reserves the right to request documentation supporting authorship claims

Authorship Disputes

In cases of authorship disputes:

  • IJROMS will not act as an adjudicating body but will require resolution from the authors’ affiliated institutions
  • The journal may suspend review or publication until the dispute is resolved
  • Decisions will follow ethical publishing standards and institutional guidance

Non-Compliance and Violations

Failure to comply with authorship policies may result in:

  • Rejection of the manuscript
  • Withdrawal of submission
  • Retraction of published articles
  • Notification of affiliated institutions
  • Restriction on future submissions

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

IJROMS is committed to promoting responsible authorship practices that ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency. Proper attribution of contributions is essential to maintaining the credibility and integrity of scholarly communication.