RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Publication ethics and the research assessment exercise: reflections on the troubled question of authorship JF Journal of Medical Ethics JO J Med Ethics FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics SP 422 OP 426 DO 10.1136/jme.26.6.422 VO 26 IS 6 A1 Aziz Sheikh YR 2000 UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/26/6/422.abstract AB The research assessment exercise (RAE) forms the basis for determining the funding of higher education institutions in the UK. Monies are distributed according to a range of performance criteria, the most important of which is “research outputs”. Problems to do with publication misconduct, and in particular, issues of justice in attributing authorship, are endemic within the research community. It is here argued that the research assessment exercise currently makes no explicit attempt to address these concerns, and indeed, by focusing attention on research outputs, may actually be fostering such ethical problems.