Agree roles at the start
Record who is responsible for design, data collection, analysis, drafting and final approval. The discussion should also identify who will act as corresponding author. An early agreement is useful, but it must remain consistent with the work actually performed.
Describe contributions precisely
Where the journal requests CRediT roles, use the official role definitions to describe actual contributions. A role statement is more informative than a vague claim that everyone contributed equally. The taxonomy describes contributions; the journal’s authorship rules still govern eligibility.
Distinguish authorship from assistance
Editorial, technical or administrative help may need acknowledgement or disclosure according to the journal’s instructions. Do not add a person as an author only to reward payment, status or access. Obtain approval before naming someone in an acknowledgement.
Handle disagreements before submission
Keep a written record of contributions and discuss the disagreement with the coauthors and appropriate institutional process. An editor or support provider should not resolve an authorship dispute by silently changing the list. All authors should approve the final submitted version and declarations.