Who are considered stakeholders in the publication process?

The correct answer identifies authors, researchers, and publishers as stakeholders in the publication process. These groups play essential roles in developing, disseminating, and maintaining the integrity of published research.

Authors contribute original research, data, and insights, which form the core of any publication. They are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of the work. Researchers, often overlapping with authors, may also include those who support the study through data collection, analysis, and interpretation, adding depth to the research output.

Publishers are crucial as they manage the logistics of the publication process, including peer review, formatting, distribution, and maintaining ethical standards. Together, these stakeholders collaborate to ensure that published materials are credible, accessible, and useful to the scientific community and beyond.

Understanding the roles of these stakeholders is vital in recognizing how the publication process operates and how each group's interests may influence the outcomes and dissemination of research findings. The other choices include groups that are important but don't encompass the foundational roles within the publication ecosystem, making them less representative of the core stakeholders involved.