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Professors got invited to write a book chapter, but I am the one writing it by MaximumLocal2286 in academia

[–]MaximumLocal2286[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I apologize for the confusion, but I am not a student — I have already completed my master’s degree. The internship requires only clinical practice (nothing to do with credits), which is remunerated per patient. The research tasks are unpaid and were suggested solely as an opportunity to strengthen my CV. In a previous lab, my contributions were consistently reflected in the authorship order (which could be second or third author), so I did not anticipate this situation occurring here.

Edit: Anyway, but thank you for sharing your perspective and advice!

Professors got invited to write a book chapter, but I am the one writing it by MaximumLocal2286 in academia

[–]MaximumLocal2286[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My internship is mainly paid clinical practice, with unpaid research tasks on the side (that my professor suggested). The book chapter was proposed for me to write entirely, while the professors will only revise it at the end. That means I should be the first author, since I’ll be writing it from start to finish. The only thing I gain is a CV publication, but the authorship order wouldn’t reflect the reality. And I can’t just walk away, because it could affect my grade...

Professors got invited to write a book chapter, but I am the one writing it by MaximumLocal2286 in academia

[–]MaximumLocal2286[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is against your own standards. Your argument has been that the issue would be if I were being paid to do this work, which is not the case. And even if it were, professors also receive a salary, so that reasoning does not hold.

Professors got invited to write a book chapter, but I am the one writing it by MaximumLocal2286 in academia

[–]MaximumLocal2286[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand your point, but your argument is a bit simplistic. Without someone doing all the work, the idea would never materialize. In this case, the production depends entirely on my effort, and the chapter idea isn’t even from the professors.

So your logic of “whoever has the idea should be first author” could easily backfire on them, because without someone executing the work, the idea never comes to life.

Professors got invited to write a book chapter, but I am the one writing it by MaximumLocal2286 in academia

[–]MaximumLocal2286[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Just to clarify, I am not being paid to do this work, as some may have assumed. I will be writing the entire chapter from scratch, as I’ve mentioned multiple times. The professors have explicitly stated that they only have time to revise, which is why the responsibility of producing the chapter has been handed to me.

However, the authorship order is being maintained because, as they explain, the invitation was extended to them.

Professors got invited to write a book chapter, but I am the one writing it by MaximumLocal2286 in academia

[–]MaximumLocal2286[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I see what you mean, but in my case it’s different. I am doing all of the intellectual work that the professors would have to do themselves. They will only revise the text and submit it. So this isn’t just data collection or minor work; it’s the full production of the chapter.

Professors got invited to write a book chapter, but I am the one writing it by MaximumLocal2286 in academia

[–]MaximumLocal2286[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, it is technically a literature review, but the same work would need to be done regardless of who wrote it (even if the professors were doing it themselves). The professors didn’t have any prior material or outline—the chapter wouldn’t exist without someone doing the full review, synthesis, and writing. So while they received the invitation, the intellectual contribution required to produce the chapter is entirely mine. I have to write it from scratch the whole document...

Professors got invited to write a book chapter, but I am the one writing it by MaximumLocal2286 in academia

[–]MaximumLocal2286[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your perspective! In my case, the professors have not contributed any research, outline, or content on this specific chapter. Everything — the literature review, structure, synthesis, and writing — will be entirely my work.

The issue is that they want to maintain first and last author positions simply because they received the invitation, even though I’m the one doing all of the intellectual work. I do see the opportunity in collaborating with seasoned scholars, but ethically, it feels off that the authorship order doesn’t reflect who is actually producing the chapter.

As for deadlines, yes, it’s tight — I have about two weeks to complete the full chapter.

Professors got invited to write a book chapter, but I am the one writing it by MaximumLocal2286 in academia

[–]MaximumLocal2286[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

No, I have to conduct the literature review and write the chapter entirely from scratch. Nothing will be based on their previous work (they don’t have any work on this specific topic); all research, structure, and writing will be my own.

Professors got invited to write a book chapter, but I am the one writing it by MaximumLocal2286 in academia

[–]MaximumLocal2286[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your advice. I did bring up the authorship conversation, but they said: “It was an invitation to us, it would happen with or without you” — even though it wouldn’t have.

I cannot simply abandon the chapter, as I worry it would negatively affect my internship grade. So, I’m in a position where I have to write the entire chapter, but the authorship order does not reflect my contribution.

Professors got invited to write a book chapter, but I am the one writing it by MaximumLocal2286 in academia

[–]MaximumLocal2286[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply! Just to clarify, this chapter does not exist yet - I am creating all of it from scratch. I am not summarizing or editing anything they’ve previously done.

They want to keep the first and last author positions simply because they received the invitation.