Spouses as Collaborators

During her first year as a graduate student in pharmacology, Susan meets John, a salaried software engineer working in the university computer center, whom she marries that summer.  During her second year, Susan works closely with John on several projects, relying on him for computer expertise.  Susan achieves impressive results based on computer simulation and sophisticated data analysis.  She publishes several papers in which she acknowledges the "help and support" of her husband, John, but does not name him as a co-author.  Other graduate students complain that Susan had, in John, a valuable university resource that was not available to them and that her publication record unfairly conceals the impact of John's help.  Is Susan's behavior appropriate?  Is John's?  Would it matter if they were not married?  If John were not employed by the university?

J1G says:  The inappropriate behavior is on the part of the whining students who complain that Susan has the "advantage." Nothing is stopping them from collaborating with someone who could give them an advantage, as well.  Susan just happens to be married to her collaborator.  As for naming him as a co-author, that is between the two of them, and depends on the rules and expectations of the publication.

K5R says:  As long as she gave John an acknowledgement, there is nothing inappropriate here in their collaboration.  If his contributions were great, however, a co-authorship may have been more appropriate than a simple acknowledgement.  Complaints of other students are unfounded unless John refused to provide any help or guidance to other students when asked. In his capacity with the university he could help anyone with their research as part of the collegial environment and within time and resource constraints.  If he did not work for the university then he could refuse anyone at any time.