When should authorship guidelines and qualifications be determined?

Determining authorship guidelines and qualifications at the start of the study is crucial in ensuring a transparent and ethical writing process. Early establishment of these guidelines helps to clarify the contributions that each author is expected to make, which can prevent potential conflicts or misunderstandings later on. It also aligns with best practices in research ethics, where clear criteria for authorship, based on actual involvement in the study's conception, design, data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation, should be agreed upon from the outset. This proactive approach fosters accountability and promotes fair recognition of individual contributions across all phases of the research project, ultimately enhancing the integrity of the publication process.