How to write and publish a scientific paper - Barbara Gastel, Robert A. Day 2022

Obtaining permissions
Rights and permissions
Publishing the paper

If you want your work to include an image or other item for which you do not hold copyright and that is not available through means such as a Creative Commons license, you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holder. In some instances, you also must pay a permissions fee. For example, we followed such procedures regarding cartoons for this book. We would not want to make unauthorized use of others’ work. Nor do we wish to deprive cartoonists of their livelihoods.

Obtaining permissions is often straightforward. Websites of many journal publishers include sections for seeking permissions. Also, permissions for materials from many journals and other sources can be obtained online through the Copyright Clearance Center (www.copyright.com). When neither option exists, contact the publisher or the creator of the item to identify the copyright holder and find out how to proceed.

If you republish an image or other material from elsewhere, you generally must include a credit line, such as “Reprinted with permission from (journal or book reference); copyright (year) by (owner of copyright).” Commonly, the copyright holder will specify the wording of the credit line. If not, the venue in which you are republishing the item may provide guidance in this regard. Some style manuals also provide such guidance, and looking at examples of credit lines in your target journal can clarify expectations as well.