Authorship Policy

Authorship & Multicenter Study Policy

West African Journal of Allied Health Sciences (WAJAHS)

The West African Journal of Allied Health Sciences (WAJAHS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity and transparency in scholarly publishing.

To promote responsible research practices and prevent authorship inflation, WAJAHS has established clear guidelines on authorship eligibility, number of authors, and classification of multicenter studies.

These guidelines are aligned with international best practices, including those of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

1. Authorship Principles

Authorship should be based on substantial intellectual contribution, not merely:

  • Data collection
  • Institutional affiliation
  • Administrative or supervisory roles

All authors must meet recognized authorship criteria and take responsibility for the content of the manuscript.

2. Classification of Studies

2.1 Single-Center Studies

A study is considered single-center if it:

  • Is conducted within one institution, OR
  • Uses multiple facilities within the same city or region
  • Is managed by a single research team
Note: Use of multiple hospitals within the same city does not qualify as a multicenter study.

2.2 Multicenter Studies

A study qualifies as multicenter only if it meets all of the following:

  • Conducted across geographically distinct locations (e.g., different states or countries)
  • Involves independent investigators or research teams at each site
  • Uses a coordinated protocol across sites
  • Demonstrates collaborative contribution to design, data collection, and analysis

3. Authorship Limits

Single-Center Studies

Maximum: 8 authors

Multicenter Studies

Maximum: 12 authors

Large Multicenter / Consortium Studies

Maximum: 15 authors (front page)

Additional contributors should be listed under:

  • Collaborators
  • Study Group
  • Acknowledgements

4. Author Contribution Statement

All submissions must include a clear description of each author's role, including:

  • Study design
  • Data collection
  • Analysis
  • Manuscript drafting or revision

WAJAHS may request further clarification where necessary.

5. Editorial Policy on Authorship

WAJAHS maintains a strict position against authorship inflation.

The Editorial Board reserves the right to:

  • Reclassify study type (single-center vs multicenter)
  • Request reduction in number of authors
  • Decline manuscripts that do not comply with authorship standards

Failure to comply may delay or prevent publication.

6. Important Note to Authors

  • Agree on authorship before submission
  • Ensure all authors meet required criteria
  • Avoid honorary or guest authorship

WAJAHS is committed to promoting integrity, fairness, and accountability in scientific publishing across Africa and beyond.