When should authors ideally sign an authorship agreement?

The ideal timing for authors to sign an authorship agreement is before writing, ideally before research begins. This approach ensures that all contributing authors have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities from the outset, fostering collaboration and coherence throughout the research process. It helps to establish expectations regarding contributions, ownership, and accountability, thereby reducing potential conflicts later in the project or during the publication process. By formalizing the authorship agreement early on, authors can align their efforts, avoid misunderstandings, and facilitate a smoother path to publication.

In contrast, signing the agreement after writing the initial draft or once all authors are finalized may lead to issues, including disagreements over authorship order or contributions that could have been clarified beforehand. Similarly, waiting until submission for publication can risk delays and further disputes among co-authors, detracting from the collaborative ethos necessary for successful research and publication outcomes.