Affiliations are typically listed below the author names, usually in the footer of the first page or in a separate section after the abstract. Here’s an example of how affiliations are commonly presented:

Author Name(s)
Department or School Name
University Name
City, State, Country
Email Address

Author Name(s)
Research Institute or Company Name
City, State, Country
Email Address

Author Name(s)
Freelance Researcher or Independent Scholar
City, State, Country
Email Address

In this example:

• Each author’s name is followed by their affiliated department, school, university, research institute, company, or independent scholar status.
• The location (city, state, country) of the affiliation is provided for context.
• The author’s email address may also be included for correspondence.

Research affiliations can vary widely and encompass different types of organizations and roles. These may include:

• Academic Institutions: Universities and colleges are common affiliations, indicating a strong academic foundation for the research. For instance, a paper on physics published by researchers affiliated with a prestigious university’s physics department carries inherent credibility.
• Research Organizations: Institutes focused on specific research areas, such as medical research centers or think tanks, serve as affiliations. If a climate change study is conducted by researchers affiliated with a well-known environmental research institute, it lends expertise to the paper.
• Companies and Corporations: Research conducted by scientists affiliated with companies can provide valuable insights into industry applications. A paper on AI algorithms authored by researchers from a leading tech company holds relevance for practical AI implementation.
• Freelance or Independent Researchers: Even researchers without institutional affiliations may contribute significantly to their field. An independent researcher specializing in linguistics could publish a unique perspective on language evolution.

The type of affiliation can significantly impact how a research paper is perceived:

• Academic Prestige: Affiliations with renowned universities often confer immediate legitimacy. Readers are more likely to trust research coming from institutions with a history of academic excellence.
• Industry Impact: Papers affiliated with industry leaders demonstrate practical relevance. For example, a pharmaceutical research study becomes more pertinent when conducted by scientists from a pharmaceutical company.
• Research Specialization: Specific research institutes offer expertise in niche areas. A paper on marine ecology gains credibility when authored by researchers affiliated with a marine biology research center.

It’s essential that the chosen affiliation accurately represents the authors’ roles during the research:

• Active Involvement: If authors conducted the research as part of their role at an institution, their affiliation should reflect this. For instance, a biologist studying coral reefs should affiliate with a relevant marine biology institute.
• Past Connections: Authors who previously conducted research at an institution might maintain the affiliation even after moving on. If a researcher’s work on cancer genetics was conducted during their time at a university, using that affiliation remains ethically sound.
• Collaborative Contributions: In cases of multi-institutional collaboration, authors can list multiple affiliations. For instance, a joint study on renewable energy could include affiliations from both a university and an energy research institute.

In summary, the choice of affiliation can significantly impact how a research paper is perceived and the credibility it carries. The affiliation should accurately reflect the authors’ role and context during the research, ensuring transparency and enhancing the paper’s overall value within the academic and professional communities.

There are instances where retaining a previous graduate affiliation is justified:

• Continued Contribution: If a researcher, Alex, graduates from University A but continues collaborating with University A on multiple projects, using that affiliation is valid. This demonstrates ongoing collaboration and sustained contributions.
• Ongoing Collaboration: If a researcher, Jamie, graduates but continues to work on projects with their former professors or mentors, affiliating with their former institution maintains transparency and reflects the collaborative nature of the research.
• Specialized Expertise: If a researcher, Dana, graduates from a university with a renowned linguistics program and contributes to linguistic research after graduation, retaining the affiliation with that university showcases their specialized expertise.

In contrast, it’s important to avoid misleading situations:

• Inactive Involvement: If a researcher, Taylor, lists their graduate institution as an affiliation despite not actively contributing to the research, it could be misleading and ethically problematic.
• Misleading Implications: If a researcher, Jordan, conducted research independently post-graduation, affiliating with their former university might imply institutional involvement that doesn’t exist.

Affiliations can significantly impact how readers perceive the credibility of a research paper:

• Example 1: Imagine a study on cancer treatments. If the authors are affiliated with a prestigious cancer research center, readers are more likely to trust the findings due to the institution’s established expertise in the field.
• Example 2: Consider a paper on climate change authored by researchers from a renowned environmental institute. The affiliation immediately lends weight to their research due to the institute’s reputation.

While prestigious affiliations can enhance initial perceptions, the quality of research ultimately determines its value:

• Example 1: A paper on renewable energy might list an affiliation with a prestigious university’s energy institute. However, if the research lacks rigorous methodology or accurate data, the affiliation’s prestige won’t compensate for the paper’s shortcomings.
• Example 2: Conversely, a paper on AI algorithms could be authored by a small startup, but if the research is groundbreaking and the methodology sound, its significance isn’t diminished by the affiliation’s size.

Authors should prioritize the research’s content and methodology over the perceived status of the affiliation:

• Example 1: A medical paper’s findings about a rare disease remain crucial regardless of the affiliations. Readers value accurate information more than the prestige of the institutions.
• Example 2: A linguistics study’s insights into language evolution hold weight irrespective of whether the author is affiliated with a renowned institution or an independent researcher.

The affiliation listed should accurately depict the authors’ contribution during the research:

• Example 1: Consider a collaborative study on astronomy. If one author, Lisa, was affiliated with a university when the research began but moved to a research institute midway, she should list both affiliations. This accurately represents her involvement throughout the study.
• Example 2: A paper on robotics authored by a researcher, Max, while he was a student at University X should list University X, as that’s where he made the primary contribution to the research.

There are cases where authors might have multiple affiliations, and the choice depends on the research’s context and their role:

• Example 1: Sarah collaborates with researchers from both a medical institute and a pharmaceutical company for a drug study. She could list affiliations from both institutions to highlight her dual role and the interdisciplinary nature of the research.
• Example 2: A team of researchers from different universities collaborates on a global health study. Each author could list their respective university affiliations, demonstrating the diverse expertise contributing to the research.

Affiliations are typically listed below the author names, usually in the footer of the first page or in a separate section after the abstract. Here’s an example of how affiliations are commonly presented:

Author Name(s)
Department or School Name
University Name
City, State, Country
Email Address

Author Name(s)
Research Institute or Company Name
City, State, Country
Email Address

Author Name(s)
Freelance Researcher or Independent Scholar
City, State, Country
Email Address

In this example:

• Each author’s name is followed by their affiliated department, school, university, research institute, company, or independent scholar status.
• The location (city, state, country) of the affiliation is provided for context.
• The author’s email address may also be included for correspondence.

Can I Change Author Affiliation After Publishing my Research paper?

Changing author affiliations after publishing a research paper is possible, contingent upon adherence to specific procedures. Initial contact should be made with the publishing journal or platform to understand their guidelines for such changes.

Changes to affiliations can be made for valid reasons such as errors or updates to accurately reflect current affiliations. Providing supporting documentation, obtaining co-authors’ consent, and differentiating between corrections and updates based on journal policies are key steps.

Timeliness is crucial, as addressing changes promptly after publication is generally more straightforward. Always ensure compliance with the journal’s procedures to ensure proper documentation and communication of any changes to readers.

I have written a separate article on this topic. Please refer to the article “7 Essential Steps for Changing Author Affiliation in Research Paper”.