There are published ethical standards for contributions.
If someone contributes to multiple parts of a paper, they probably belong on the paper.
For example, if I meet with collaborators and we design a study together, it goes without saying that we'll all be on the paper. We will all expect to have a hand in writing and editing the manuscript, though it is often the case that the project's champion writes most of the first draft, earning the first-author position. It is wise to discuss first-authorship early during the planning of the study. During grad school, one's supervisor is usually one's most common co-author.
Other people can also earn authorship.
For example, I've mentored some great RAs over the years. When I could, I have explicitly offered great RAs the opportunity to get more involved so they could earn authorship. This might be by contributing new study ideas where they champion the project or by making space for them to contribute to an existing project (e.g. contributing to the analysis, writing sections of the paper). These RAs earn authorship for their contributions.
The ethical guidelines in the field tell us that authorship is based on contribution.
What about data-collection?
If someone doesn't contribute to the initial idea, doesn't contribute to the design, does some of the data-collection, doesn't contribute to the analysis, doesn't contribute to the writing, and doesn't contribute any funding, What happens? This describes a typical entry-level research assistant and they do not belong on the paper. Data-collection alone is not sufficient for authorship according to the field's ethical guidelines.
It isn't that data-collection isn't valuable. It is crucial!
It just isn't sufficient on its own. Authorship requires more contribution.
The same would be true of only contributing funding: that isn't enough.
To earn authorship, the person must contribute at multiple stages and have input on the written manuscript, whether by writing or by editing.
Some labs don't follow these guidelines. Some labs put every name on every paper.
Some labs give authorship to evert RA involved in any level of data collection. This seems to be done in order to give such students a stronger CV for grad school. These practices go against ethical authorship guidelines and result in bloated CVs with undeserved authorship. The same can happen with graduate students, e.g. if graduate students briefly discuss a study during a lab meeting, they might put everyone's names on the study even though authorship wasn't earned. Authorship could be earned by bringing on other grad students into a collaboration, but merely discussing a study is insufficient to earn authorship.
If you are unsure about authorship, consult the published ethical standards in the field.
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