Dr Max Grossmann

Attribution Policy

Posted: 2023-05-12 · Last updated: 2025-11-17 ·

The following attribution policy applies to all of my works (especially my software), unless otherwise stated, if you use them for academic research:

  1. Only the license terms of a particular work are legally binding. This document is subsidiary to any specific license terms imposed or contracted; it does not establish or remove any rights or privileges. It represents only a nonbinding request to fellow researchers. When in doubt, refer to the license terms or contact me.
  2. Take full responsibility. License terms typically disclaim any warranty or liability. You are entirely responsible for the use of my works, even if they contain bugs or are grotesquely incorrect. It is not permissible to assign any blame to me; legally and ethically, I am immune. This is part of the deal that is Free Software.
  3. Clearly acknowledge the use of my work in your work and resulting publications. For example, the following acknowledgments are appropriate:
    1. In a footnote or the acknowledgments section: “We thank Max R. P. Grossmann for help with […],” if I personally helped you or members of your team.
    2. In the main text, footnotes, or the acknowledgments section: “We use Max R. P. Grossmann’s […].”
    3. Alternatively: “We use Grossmann’s (2021) […],” with a reference to the work. However, in some journals, this is frowned upon for non-peer reviewed publications.

    Furthermore, license terms may impose copyleft and/or indications of origin inside your source code.

  4. Spell my name correctly. Sorry to be a bit obnoxious about this, but this seems to be a common issue:
    1. My name should be written as “Max Grossmann” or “Max R. P. Grossmann”.
    2. Yes, there is a space between “R.” and “P.”, and yes, my surname ends with double-n.
    3. My first name is not Maximilian. I’ve checked this on my long-form birth certificate.
    4. Consider copying my name directly from this website. If you absolutely need to use my full name, you can find it here.
    5. My name should be written without the German Eszett (ß/ẞ), even in German contexts.
    6. Use of my doctoral degree is almost never necessary, but if it is used, “Dr” or “Dr.” should precede my name. Do not use the “Ph.D.” or similar suffix, as I am a doctor rerum politicarum (Dr. rer. pol.) of a German university and am prohibited from using any other version than the prefixes Dr, Dr., or Dr. rer. pol.
  5. Provide a link. Mention the URL of the work used. You can also create a snapshot using the Web Archive and refer to that instead. This information can be included in an appendix. You can also refer to “www.max.pm”, but note that this is not very precise for readers.
  6. State the version used. This can be done in a similar fashion to the previous item. You can also write something like “downloaded on 2023-05-12.” Ideally, refer to a particular Git commit.
  7. Do not imply that I endorse your project. My works are typically free for everyone to use under very liberal terms. By sharing them under irrevocable Free Software license terms, I have lost my right to control their use and spread. Use of my works does not imply that I performed a background check on the user or that I endorse them or their work. It certainly is not implied that I agree with any result obtained using my work. Everyone has the right to use my works; they need only comply with the license terms (and their Creator). Therefore, I ask that your acknowledgment be “neutral” and to the standards of the scientific community.
  8. Do not use my work for illegal purposes or for projects that violate the Nuremberg Code or other generally accepted research ethics principles.
  9. Inform me of any publication that refers to one of my works. Click here to contact me.

Please follow these guidelines when making use of my works. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Changes to this document

2023-05-12
Document created.
2023-11-04
Changed ' to ’. Thanks, Holger!
2025-11-17 (current version)
Minor changes.