[HB]

some of the undergraduate students work with me in the current project
upon publishing a paper, can I write them as authors or only mention their names in the acknowledgement part

[JGK]

Include them in the author list if they were involved in:

Results interpretation or writing sections of the paper

Otherwise you could acknowledge their efforts in the laboratory as part of the introduction.


And do not forget the natural order of things, i.e. the person who did the lion's share of the work is ALWAYS listed last on the author list

[Doc Oc]

And do not forget the natural order of things, i.e. the person who did the lion's share of the work is ALWAYS listed last on the author list

This is not true for American institutions, the person who did the most work is always first and the PI is generally last.

[fledarmus]

I've always understood that the person actually writing the manuscript was listed first, and the leading PI on the project listed last.

[zoork34]

It depends on what they did for you.  If they washed your glassware and cleaned up the lab, they dont need to be co-authors.  If they did any experiment themselves that is included in the paper, they should definitely be co-authors.  If they did some work that was integral to the understanding of the research, but not really included in the data, its up to you.

Also, I agree that the person who does most of the work/writing is listed first, and the PI listed last. 

[JGK]

And do not forget the natural order of things, i.e. the person who did the lion's share of the work is ALWAYS listed last on the author list.

Obviously my british sense of humour must be an acquired taste. 

Although, i have to say that the statement was derived from my many experiences in trying to get additional information not in the paper but necessary to replicate the work. In most cases, I was directed to the name at the end of the author list.

[Doc Oc]

Oops!  Yes, it does seem your British humor (no U!) was lost on the American.