Dear M. Haris-Hussain,

The percentage share of authors in the prepared scientific work, e.g. a scientific monograph, can be calculated by using the following formula: Number of monograph pages written / the entire volume of a monograph + Amount of work time devoted to the research that preceded the monograph + percentage of work devoted to the research team working on the research that was necessary for the creation of the monograph + participation in defining the concept of scientific research + participation in the process organization and management of the research process + participation in the process of organizing and managing the editorial process and cooperation with the editors of the publishing house that issues the monograph + possible other significant factors in a specific scientific environment.

Best regards,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

I usually keep a detailed record of the contribution from start till the end made by each of the authors. The end point is until such time the manuscript has been accepted for publication. So the sequence is basically decided on the contribution of each author and usually the corresponding author is the principal/first author.

Due credit must be given to a lead-researcher who has mainly undertaken any research work. A fancy list addition of 'gift or ghost' authors must be discouraged as it does more harm to any research publication. I strongly feel worker who have actually contributed should only figure as authors. Addition of many fancy authors is bound to dilute standard of a research publication. My views may not be digestible to many but troth must prevail to avoid dilution of scientific standard.

M. Haris-Hussain what is it good for to calculate the "percentage of contribution for all those authors". In my opinion this is absolutely useless. Just list all authors who made significant contributions to the research work.