Who’s in your writing team + what do they do?
| Role | Primary function | What they check |
|---|---|---|
| You | First author; lead researcher and writer | Execution, integration |
| Supervisors | Guide development; mentor writing process | Validity of reasoning, correct conclusions, addressed assumptions |
| Co-authors | Assess validity; serve as reviewer proxy | Validity of reasoning, correct conclusions, addressed assumptions, does paper deliver what it promises? |
Reality is blurrier
The table describes ideal functions. In reality, supervisors sometimes ghost; co-authors sometimes carry writing load.
Major co-authors
These are co-authors with substantial intellectual investment: they shaped the research design, provided critical expertise, or contribute significant data or interpretation. Involve them in direction-setting and conclusion-checking. “Minor” co-authors (technical assistance, routine data collection) typically join later for validity checks, not structural decisions.
See also: Authorship etiquette