Could someone tell me if I decide to publish from my PhD do I have to give co-authorship to my supervisors on any relevant articles?

Yes you do, in the sciences anyway.

Thanks, I thought that but wasn't sure.

Thanks, I thought that but wasn't sure.

======= Date Modified 17 Feb 2012 09:27:31 =======

Yes, you should. 10 papers and one chapter were put out from my work, of which I basically wrote 6 and did most of the work on the book chapter.

The early papers had a range of collaberating people including my first and second supervisors. With the later papers, I narrowed this down to my primary supervisor and my immediate predecessor. The last 3 papers, only me and my primary supervisor were listed.

I guess if your supervisors decide to retire, you might be tempted to be a sole author. However, if your supervisor or immediate predecessor and made a genuine, helpful contribution, it's a basic courtesy to list them. But if you do most of the work, you should be first author (I know of one lad who did most of the work and wasn't even listed by his supervisor) and by making sure you're corresponding / submitting author you can guarantee this.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

I've good reason for not trusting one of my supervisors but if I wrote it I would take first authorship.

======= Date Modified 16 Feb 2012 17:12:50 =======
Sorry double posting again but thanks for clarifying the situation.

Delta, how old you're suddenly looking ;-)

I have related question: can you submit for publication if you're not officially affliated to a university or institution? Can you 'cold' submit??

I think if they've helped shape the work and its gone into your thesis, then yes. I'm putting myself as 1st author for these ones.

But I also collected data and analysed it which didn't get into my thesis in the end, and sup never saw. So I don't think I'll add her on, unless she helps me shape the papers in the writing stage.

My supervisors were useless during my PhD but I don't think they'll accept that and I'm not brave enough to tell them ;-)

Ady, the process aged me, what can I say except you trying working with my supervisors:p

Delta's suddenly aged about 50 years, Sneaks has her mortar board on but I don't feel ready for that yet. A first year student called me Dr. Ady this morning and stuttered over his words through nerves as he asked me a question - I found it most unnerving!!

Submitting publication without institutional afflication anybody?? I'm only part time where I am at and will most likely be finito come the summer - can I submit something for publication without being part of a uni or institution?

Yes you can. If though you'd prefer to submit with an institutional affiliation, then ask your doctoral and/or current institution if you can maintain an honorary affiliation (many places are only to happy to help on this as it costs them nothing). It can also be mildly helpful to maintain a university email address.

Thanks for that info Bewildered, good to know

To add to this, I had no real affiliation for the last three of my papers. I still listed my PhD University as the institution as a basic courtesy, however, along with my primary supervisor's name.

As regards e-mail addresses, the uni. one was cancelled after I left and could not be maintained. Others have given out private e-mails in such cases, however, when proofs have come through that would publically state that e-mail address I've ensured an old defunct e-mail address is shown instead. I don't want my current e-mail address splattered all over the internet, simply because of the amount of spam that could eventually swamp my e-mail account (spammers have access to automatic data collection programs to 'harvest' published e-mails). Elsevier put the contact e-mail address on the web page linking to the paper as well as the paper itself, for example.

I'll add that one of the key authors in my field had no affiliation for many of his papers. A private address was listed somewhere in English Midlands and the rumour was the data for his papers was being generated using an experimental rig in his car garage beside his house as some sort of hobby. I certainly wouldn't want to do the work I was doing as a hobby, believe me!!!

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

======= Date Modified 17 Feb 2012 09:50:56 =======

An Indian student I was informally looking after, persistently called me 'Dr. Beefy' after I initially passed. As I had daily contact with him, I just said "Call me Ian." I wish I hadn't. It was 'Dr. Ian' after that. Ugh!!! I hated being called 'Dr.' (still do, which my friends have unfortunately picked up on).

Indians have this sense of formality and proper address (probably relating to their caste system) that was being lost in the English speaking west 20 to 30 years ago and that could not be easily changed.

On the flip side, I saw a Libyan lad start wear suits and ties as soon as he qualified and I guess he felt he had to live up to the image of his new title. Me? The day after viva I was back in jeans and trainers (actually within 20 minutes of the viva ending - plus Sunderland top - as I had a footy match to go to). B*ll*cks to that crap!!!

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)