Optimizing Research Visibility: The Role of Investigators and Shared (Core) Research Resources in Publications Using RRIDs

Shared Research Resources (SRRs), also known as core facilities or research cores, play a pivotal role in advancing scientific discovery by providing specialized equipment, services, and expert guidance. SRRs provide integral contributions to research and have an active role in upholding, rigor, reproducibility, and adherence to FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse), but are frequently underacknowledged in scientific publications. This paper underscores the importance of formally recognizing SRRs in research outputs, both to enhance transparency and to support institutional efforts in securing funding, recruiting faculty, and sustaining infrastructure. Drawing on guidelines from the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities, we explore the challenges to widespread SRR acknowledgment and propose actionable strategies for researchers and SRR staff to ensure proper credit is given. Acknowledgment not only validates the intellectual and technical contributions of SRRs, ranging from experimental design to data interpretation, but also serves as a critical metric for career advancement within the SRR sector. By fostering a culture of recognition, the research community can better uphold standards of excellence and collaboration.