In journal publication, the first author and corresponding author are often considered to have the same role. However, they have different responsibilities. The first author generally has a major contribution to the research and preparation of the article. Meanwhile, the corresponding author serves as the main point of contact between the author team and the journal throughout the submission, review, and publication process.
What Is a First Author?
Who is the first author? The first author is the name placed first in the list of authors of an article. In many academic fields, this position usually indicates a significant contribution to the research, such as developing the idea, collecting or analyzing data, and preparing the manuscript.
However, the order of authors should still be agreed upon by all members of the research team based on their contributions and the requirements of the target journal.
So, What Is a Corresponding Author?
What does a corresponding author do? The corresponding author is responsible for handling communication with the editor and the journal. Their responsibilities may include submitting the manuscript, responding to questions from editors or reviewers, ensuring that author information is accurate, and helping coordinate communication with all co-authors.
Therefore, the corresponding author is not always the same person as the first author. One person can hold both roles if agreed upon by the author team and permitted by the journal.
What Is the Difference Between a First Author and a Corresponding Author?
To make it easier to understand, here is a comparison:
| Aspect | First Author | Corresponding Author |
|---|---|---|
| Position | First author | Does not have to be the first author |
| Role focus | Main contribution to the research/article | Communication with the journal |
| Responsibilities | Makes a major contribution to the research and writing | Manages submission communication and the publication process |
| Relationship with the journal | Not always the main contact | Serves as the main contact |
| Can they be the same person? | Yes | Yes |
Read More: Systematic Review vs. Literature Review: What’s the Difference?
Why Should These Roles Be Agreed Upon from the Beginning?
Why should this be discussed before the article is submitted? Clear authorship arrangements can help prevent misunderstandings among team members. COPE also emphasizes the importance of clear contributions and authorship agreements to prevent authorship-related issues.
Therefore, before proceeding with journal publication, make sure the author order, each author’s contribution, and the corresponding author have all been agreed upon by everyone involved.
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