The journal has been approached by the sole author of an already accepted article, requesting the addition of a second author. The original author claims to have forgotten to include the co-author earlier. However, the journal is understandably concerned about the potential for the new author to receive undue credit if their name is added without merit.
In response to this situation, the journal should temporarily halt the publication process for the article in question. The editor should then reach out to the original author for a comprehensive explanation regarding the circumstances surrounding the addition of the new author, as well as their contributions to the article. Simultaneously, the editor should contact the purported new author to obtain their perspective on the matter.
Based on the responses received, the journal can proceed in one of several ways. If the explanations provided by both parties are satisfactory and it is determined that the new author has indeed made substantive contributions to the article, the addition may be permitted. However, if there are doubts or inconsistencies in the accounts provided, further investigation may be necessary. This could involve reaching out to the institutions affiliated with both authors to gather additional information.
Alternatively, if it is determined that the new author's contributions do not warrant authorship credit, the journal may choose to disallow the addition and proceed with publication with only the original author listed. In some cases, the editor may suggest that the new author be acknowledged for their contributions in a different capacity, rather than being listed as a co-author.
To prevent similar issues from arising in the future, the journal may consider implementing a requirement for authors to clearly delineate their contributions upon submission. While this may not be standard practice for all journals, it can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure transparency in authorship attribution. Given the unusual circumstances of this case, it is imperative to address the question of each author's contributions thoroughly to uphold the integrity of the publication process.