Many publishers now require authors to specify their contributions. CRediT helps ensure that all contributions are recognized fairly.

What is CRediT?

The CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) is a standardized way to describe individual contributions to research projects. It defines roles that members of the research team may have played (e.g., Conceptualization, Data Curation, Writing – Original Draft) to increase transparency and accountability in authorship. 

How can using CRediT help me?

• Clarifies contributions within a research team, reducing confusion and disputes.
• Recognizes all contributions, including those often overlooked by traditional authorship.
• Meets publisher requirements, as many publishers now require CRediT roles.
• Strengthens grant applications and CVs by providing clear evidence of your role in research. 

How do I implement CRediT in my research?

1. Agree on roles early – Discuss and assign CRediT roles at the start of the project to avoid confusion later. 
2. Update roles as needed – Research evolves, and so do contributions. Keep roles flexible and update as necessary.
3. Confirm roles before submission – Many publishers request CRediT statements when submitting articles. Ensure all co-authors agree on their roles before submission.
4. Use CRediT even if not required – If a journal doesn’t require CRediT, you can still include it in the Author Note, Contribution Statement, or Acknowledgment section.

Key things to remember

• Researchers can have multiple roles – You may be assigned several roles if you contributed in different ways.
• Multiple people can have the same role – If two authors contributed to Data Curation, both can be credited.
• Not all roles apply to every project – Use only the roles relevant to your research output.

Where Do I Include CRediT in a Paper?

• Publisher-mandated contribution statements (if required).
• Acknowledgment section (for publications that don’t require it).
• CVs, grant applications, and research impact reports.
• Optional: Use the CRediT badge if you would like to indicate that you have used the taxonomy

📌 Learn more about CRediT and its 14 roles: CRediT Taxonomy Website

Select list of further resources 

• European Association of Science Editors (EASE) (2024) CRediT: The Contributor Role Taxonomy 
• Further resources from the CRediT website