[Must-Read for BAM Authors] Need to Change Authorship When Submitting Revised Manuscripts? Here’s How to Do It Compliantly!
Published 11 October, 2025
Dear BAMers,
Today, we will thoroughly explain the core rules for "authorship changes" in conjunction with the BAM Guide for Authors to help you avoid potential risks.
I. Who is Eligible for BAM Authorship?
In accordance with the ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) authorship criteria, all authors must meet all three core contribution requirements below—none can be omitted:
1. Participate in the conception/design of the study, data acquisition, or data analysis and interpretation (individuals with no substantial contributions are not eligible for authorship).
2. Participate in drafting the initial manuscript or critically revising key academic content (those who only provide data without participating in writing/revision do not qualify).
3. Finally approve the version to be submitted and jointly take responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the study (including an individual in the authorship list without their confirmation is considered non-compliant).
II. Compliant Procedures for Authorship Changes: 2 "Musts" That Cannot Be Waived
Per BAM's latest Guidelines for Authorship Changes, any addition, deletion, or reordering of authors can only be done before the manuscript is accepted and with the journal editor's approval.
If you need to adjust the authorship (including adding new authors, removing existing authors, or reordering authors) when submitting a revised manuscript, the following 2 requirements must be satisfied:
1. The request must be initiated by the corresponding author, with written consent from all authors
The change request must be formally submitted by the corresponding author, accompanied by written confirmation from all authors (including newly added/removed authors) to verify their approval of the change. Acceptable forms of confirmation include electronic signatures, scanned copies of hand-signed documents, or confirmation emails with the author's email signature. Note: Signatures must be provided by the authors themselves; the corresponding author is not permitted to sign on behalf of others. (Submit this confirmation with the cover letter.)
2. The official new form must be used for submission
Prepare the Authorship Change Application Form and submit it as part of the cover letter. The form must clearly include:
- Information of newly added/removed authors
- Author Contribution Statement
- Reason for the change
III. Key Reminders: Important Notes When Applying for Authorship Changes
- During the review of an authorship change request, the publication process of the manuscript may be suspended.
- If the manuscript has already been published, any editor-approved authorship change will require the issuance of a Correction Notice.
- Any unauthorized authorship change may result in manuscript rejection. If the manuscript has already been accepted or officially published, unauthorized changes may lead to retraction.
IV. Consultation for Special Cases: Contact the Editorial Office First!
If you encounter special circumstances—such as "an author being unable to sign due to a sudden illness" or "delays in obtaining consent certificates due to cross-border collaboration"—do not act without authorization. Please contact the journal publisher (Jessica.wang@keaipublishing.com), and we will provide compliant guidance based on the specific situation.
V. Who to Contact for Inquiries?
To obtain the Authorship Change Application Form or for further questions about the rules, please email jessica.wang@keaipublishing.com. We will respond as soon as possible.
The rigor of academic publishing not only protects your research contributions but also upholds the integrity of the entire academic community. We urge all authors to carefully verify and confirm the authorship list and Author Contribution Statement before submitting initial or revised manuscripts, follow the rules, and avoid oversights.
Thank you for your understanding and support for BAM's research integrity efforts!
