Substantial contribution and accountability are widely accepted as foundational criteria for crediting scientific work. Misunderstandings of authorship criteria and improper authorship designation remain widespread in published research however, and the resulting authorship conflicts have few formal avenues for resolution and leave early career and less experienced researchers disadvantaged. Recommendations are suggested to prevent authorship designation problems, respond more effectively when

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... onflict arises, and achieve proper impartial resolution around questions of research credit, including:: use of prior agreements on authorship, notification to prospective publications of pending disputes, a "contributor-guarantor" model of contribution, third party dispute adjudication, journal 'expressions of concern' where authorship disputes go unresolved, and researcher expectation that when anticipated and well-prepared for, conflict can be generative to scientific collaboration