Acknowledgments

ACW Press values the importance of recognizing contributions and support received during the research and publication process. Our Acknowledgments Policy outlines the guidelines for authors to properly acknowledge individuals, institutions, and funding sources that have contributed to their work. This ensures transparency, accountability, and the appropriate attribution of credit.

Purpose

1. Recognition of Contributions

• Acknowledgments serve to recognize the contributions of individuals and organizations that have supported the research and the preparation of the manuscript.

2. Transparency

• Proper acknowledgment promotes transparency in the research process by disclosing all forms of support and assistance received.

Guidelines for Acknowledgments

1. Who Should be Acknowledged

• Individuals: Anyone who has provided significant assistance in the research or writing process, including colleagues, mentors, technical staff, and administrative personnel.

• Institutions: Institutions that have provided resources, facilities, or funding that facilitated the research.

• Funding Sources: All funding bodies that supported the research, including grants, fellowships, and financial awards.

2. Types of Contributions

• Technical Assistance: Acknowledge individuals who provided technical support, data collection, laboratory assistance, or other practical help.

• Intellectual Contributions: Recognize individuals who contributed valuable ideas, discussions, or reviews that influenced the research.

• Financial Support: Clearly state all sources of financial support, including grants, contracts, and donations.

3. Format of Acknowledgments

• Acknowledgments should be concise and included in a separate section at the end of the manuscript, before the references.

• Use full names and affiliations where applicable. For example: “We thank Dr. John Smith from the Department of Biology at XYZ University for his invaluable assistance with data analysis.”

Funding Disclosure

1. Funding Statement

• A clear and concise statement disclosing all sources of financial support must be included. For example: “This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. ABC123.”

• Include any grant numbers or specific funding information to ensure full transparency.

2. Multiple Funding Sources

• If multiple sources of funding were received, list each source separately. For example: “This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health (Grant No. XYZ789), the ABC Foundation, and the DEF Trust.”

Ethical Considerations

1. Permission for Acknowledgments

• Authors should obtain permission from all individuals being acknowledged to ensure they consent to being named.

• This is especially important for acknowledging personal communications or unpublished data.

2. Conflict of Interest

• Acknowledge any potential conflicts of interest related to the support received. For example, if a funding body has a commercial interest in the research outcomes, this should be disclosed.

Editorial Review

1. Accuracy and Completeness

• The editorial team will review the Acknowledgments section to ensure it accurately reflects the contributions and support received.

• Any discrepancies or omissions may be queried during the review process.

2. Ethical Compliance

• The editorial team ensures that the Acknowledgments section complies with ethical standards and does not contain inappropriate or unauthorized content.