What is co-author???

[libraryismyhome]

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This sounds like a ******ed question, but I am asking for clarification.

My PI told me that I am going to become a co-author with a phd student who is definitely going to be the first author. Does this mean I will be the first author as well or the second or third?

 

[kami333]

Ask your PI to clarify. But it usually means you'll be second or third.

PhD student -> first author, you somewhere in the middle with others, PI -> last author (can vary a bit depending on the field, journal and department).

Though depending on your involvement you could be co-first, meaning they'll put an astrieks after your name saying "these authors contributed equally"

 

[gettheleadout]

Kami's explained it pretty well. I think more often than not co-author refers to 2nd or latter authorship, though you definitely may have contributed enough to the research to share 1st author.

Either way, congrats! You're going to be published 🙂

 

[GellaBella]

yup. co-author = 2nd or lower authorship. If you were going to be co-first author your PI would have said "co-first author".

 

[DrBlondeMD]

libraryismyhome - you should try the library since you live there. 😉 Try this: Pilot Vs Co-pilot

 

[Monocles]

Co-author means you are probably not the primary author, but regardless, congrats! 😀

 

[deleted357625]

like 2nd or 3rd author for a publication, mainly for research