Acknowledgments may include which of the following?

The inclusion of contributors to the research who do not qualify for authorship in the acknowledgments section is appropriate and reflects the norms of medical publication. Acknowledgments serve to recognize individuals or organizations who have provided assistance but have not fulfilled the criteria for authorship as per established guidelines. This may include individuals who contributed to the study design, data collection, statistical analysis, or provided critical resources, advice, or administrative support, but do not meet specific requirements such as significant contributions to the writing and substantive work to warrant authorship.

This recognizes their efforts without misrepresenting their involvement in the research, thereby maintaining transparency and integrity in the publication process. Acknowledging these contributions is an important aspect of academic and scientific accountability, as it gives due credit to those who played a supportive role in the research while adhering to authorship guidelines.