Acknowledging Non-Author Contributions

There may be some circumstances in which a researcher provided support to a research study but does not meet the criteria for authorship. Examples include:

• Secured funding for the study
• Provided general administrative or technical support
• Assisted with writing, editing, or proofreading of the manuscript
• Private conversations about the research

The contributions of such individuals are often recognized in the Acknowledgments section of a manuscript or via citation. However, because acknowledgment may be construed as endorsement of the study’s data and conclusions by those acknowledged, the corresponding author should secure written permission from all acknowledged individuals prior to submission.