14. Acknowledgements

The Acknowledgements section provides authors with an opportunity to recognize individuals, institutions, or organizations that contributed to the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship.

Authors may acknowledge technical assistance, administrative support, language editing, statistical consultation, laboratory assistance, or financial support that contributed to the completion of the study.

Individuals named in the Acknowledgements should have given their permission to be acknowledged.

Authors should not include individuals who meet the authorship criteria defined by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

If there are no acknowledgements, authors may state:

"Not applicable."

Notes

Obtain permission before acknowledging individuals.
Do not acknowledge anonymous peer reviewers or editorial staff.
Keep acknowledgements concise and relevant.
Financial support should also be disclosed separately in the Funding Statement.