What do the ICMJE guidelines require from authors regarding their contributions?

The ICMJE guidelines stipulate that authors must take responsibility for at least one component of the work. This means that each author should be involved in a significant aspect of the research or writing process, contributing in a meaningful way to the manuscript. This requirement ensures that all listed authors are genuinely involved and can defend the integrity of the entire work, thereby promoting accountability and transparency within the authorship team.

This guideline emphasizes the importance of collaborative effort while also ensuring that each author is appropriately recognized for their contributions. It helps to maintain ethical standards in scholarly publishing, ensuring that authorship reflects actual involvement rather than mere inclusion or honorary titles.

Other options, such as requiring a sole authorship, mandating approval of all changes, or suggesting avoidance of co-authorship, do not adhere to the principles established by the ICMJE, which focus on genuine contribution and accountability among authors. Therefore, recognizing that authors must take responsibility for at least one component of the work aligns with these ethical standards in publication practices.