For Authors
Submission
To submit your article to our journal, you are required to use our journal management system. You will be requested to copy-paste the relevant sections from your manuscript text at relevant locations systematically to ensure that the submission is complete.
You can access the system through our website, where the corresponding author can log in and submit the manuscript. If this is your first time submitting to our journal, you will need to create an account before you can proceed with the submission.
Accepted articles types:
1) Original Research
ARTICLE TYPE | Guidelines to be followed | ELEMENTS to be included | |
Original investigation | Observational Studies | STROBE | Title: Title of the article, the authors' names and affiliations and study design Abstract: 250 words structured abstract -without references Short Summary What is already known by this study- Provide an overview of the existing scientific literature related to the topic of study, and explain why conducting the study was necessary. What this study adds- The specific results and insights gained from the study which were previously unknown should be summarized, emphasizing their importance and contribution to the existing body of scientific knowledge. Graphical abstract (optional but recommended)- Graphical abstract should be a visual representation of the main findings of a research article. It should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. It should include images, graphs, and other visual aids. Video abstract (optional but recommended)- Authors should include a video abstract which is a dynamic and engaging way to communicate the key findings and concepts of your research paper. It should provide a brief summary of the main findings and concepts discussed in the paper. It should be visually engaging, with a clear and concise message that conveys the significance of the research. |
Qualitative Research | SRQR | Keywords: 5 to 10 Main text: 5000 words Introduction: Background information on the topic and clearly state the research question or hypothesis being addressed. |
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Randomized trials | CONSORT | Methods: study design, data collection, and data analysis | |
Molecular Epidemiology | STROBE-ME | Results: The findings of the study in a clear and concise manner, using tables and figures to illustrate key data. | |
Genetic Risk Prediction Studies | GRIPS | Discussion: Interpretation of the results of the study and place them in the context of the broader literature. | |
Diagnostic/ Prognostic Studies | STARD | Conclusion: Summary of the key findings of the study and their implications for clinical practice or further research. | |
Economic evaluations | CHEERS | References:Provide a list of relevant references cited in the manuscript, using our references guidelines. | |
Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis | TRIPOD | Tables/Figures: no maximum Authors: no maximum. ICMJE authorship criteria should be met for each author and author's contribution using CRediT should be followed. Data sharing statement |
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Quality Improvement Studies | SQUIRE | ||
Animal studies | ARRIVE | ||
Research Letter | Short,concise articles that report on novel, high-impact research findings that are of broad interest to the scientific community. Must adhere to all relevant guidelines as per the study type. | Word limit: 700 words Title: Provide a brief, descriptive title that accurately reflects the content of the letter. No Abstract Introduction: State the purpose of the research letter and provide relevant background information. Methods: Describe the methods used to conduct the research, including any relevant details about the sample, procedures, and data analysis. Results: Summarize the key findings of the research in a clear and concise manner. Discussion: Discuss the implications of the findings and their potential significance. Consider any limitations of the study and future directions for research. Conclusion: Provide a brief summary of the main points and their significance. |
2) Reviews
ARTICLE TYPE | Guidelines | ELEMENTS |
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | PRISMA MOOSE- For reporting of meta-analyses of observational studies |
Title: Title of the article, the authors' names and affiliations and mention “Systematic Review” or “Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” Registration: It is recommended to register your study with a recognized database, such as PROSPERO. Abstract: 250 words : Brief summary of the study, including the research question, methods used, main results, and conclusions. Also include the registration number and the date of registration. Graphical abstract (optional but recommended)- Graphical abstract should be a visual representation of the main findings of a research article. It should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. It should include images, graphs, and other visual aids. Video abstract (optional but recommended)- Authors should include a video abstract which is a dynamic and engaging way to communicate the key findings and concepts of your research paper. It should provide a brief summary of the main findings and concepts discussed in the paper. It should be visually engaging, with a clear and concise message that conveys the significance of the research. Keywords: 5 to 10 Main text: 5000 words Introduction: a clear statement of the research question and objectives of the review. Methods: Detailed description of the search strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data extraction and synthesis methods used in the review. It should also describe any statistical methods used to analyze the data, such as meta-analysis. Results: The main findings of the review in a clear and concise manner. This may include tables, figures, and graphs to aid in the presentation of the data. Discussion: The discussion should interpret the results in the context of the existing literature, addressing any limitations of the study and suggesting areas for future research. Conclusion: Summary of the key findings of the study and their implications for clinical practice or further research. References:Provide a list of relevant references cited in the manuscript, using our references guidelines. Tables/Figures: no maximum Authors: no maximum.ICMJE criteria and authors contribution using CRediT should be followed. Data sharing statement Short Summary What is already known by this study- Provide an overview of the existing scientific literature related to the topic of study, and explain why conducting the study was necessary. What this study adds- The specific results and insights gained from the study which were previously unknown should be summarized, emphasizing their importance and contribution to the existing body of scientific knowledge. |
Narrative reviews | SANRA | A narrative review is a type of literature review that provides a comprehensive summary of a topic by synthesizing and interpreting the available evidence. The primary aim of a narrative review is to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on a particular topic, rather than a systematic and exhaustive analysis of all relevant studies. Format for writing a narrative review: Unstructured abstract (word limit-250 words) Include “a review" in the title and Clearly define the research question or topic of interest Introduction, Methods, Discussions/Observations Conclusions - Conclude with a summary of the main findings and implications for clinical practice or future research References Short Summary What is already known by this study- Provide an overview of the existing scientific literature related to the topic of study, and explain why conducting the study was necessary. What this study adds- The specific results and insights gained from the study which were previously unknown should be summarized, emphasizing their importance and contribution to the existing body of scientific knowledge. Word limit: 4000 words. |
Scoping reviews | PRISMA-ScR | A scoping review is a type of literature review that aims to identify and map the existing literature on a particular topic. The main purpose of a scoping review is to provide an overview of the breadth and depth of research on a topic, as well as to identify gaps in the existing literature that can be addressed in future studies. Scoping reviews are useful when a research question is broad or complex and there is a need to identify the scope of the literature, in order to inform future research. Short Summary What is already known by this study- Provide an overview of the existing scientific literature related to the topic of study, and explain why conducting the study was necessary. What this study adds- The specific results and insights gained from the study which were previously unknown should be summarized, emphasizing their importance and contribution to the existing body of scientific knowledge. Word limit: 4000 words. |
Other type of review articles (Umbrella review, Thematic review, etc) are also considered and shall follow relevant guidelines as per the EQUATOR Network and other standard checklists. |
Editorials
Editorials are usually written by the editor-in-chief or a member of the editorial board and are not peer-reviewed, typically used to express the opinion of the editor or editorial board of a publication on a particular issue or topic. These may include the launch of a new journal, a new section within the journal, a new editor-in-chief, and raising awareness about treatment approaches, emerging diseases, or the latest research findings in a particular field of medicine.
Editorials should not include unpublished or original data, as they are not peer-reviewed and are not intended to present new research findings. Also, they should provide a conflict of interest statement to ensure transparency and to disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
A letter to the editor is typically written in response to an article or editorial that has been published in a medical journal and provide readers with an opportunity to share their opinions and perspectives on a particular topic, and they may serve to correct inaccuracies, challenge assumptions, or provide additional information or context to a previously published article. Researchers are requested to add a “Comment” directly on the article page if they have any feedback. If authors would like to provide an expert commentary or insights on a particular topic, they should submit their article as a Perspective piece. We rarely consider unsolicited Letter to Editor for publication.
Perspectives
Perspectives provide expert commentary and insights on a particular topic or issue in medicine. It is important to ensure that your perspective is well-researched and evidence-based. While perspectives may be more opinion-based than research articles, they still require a strong foundation in the existing literature and should be supported by credible sources. Hence, authors should include accurate citations and references to other authors' work. Original data should not be reported in a Perspective article.
Word limit: 4000 words
Health Policy Report
Health Policy Report explores issues related to a wide range of topics, including healthcare reform, health insurance coverage, health disparities, healthcare quality, and healthcare access.
These articles might be original research, literature reviews, or commentary on current healthcare policy concerns, among other things. They could also contain analyses of current regulations or suggestions for additional regulations or initiatives.
Health Policy articles should include an introduction, methods, results, and discussion section, and should clearly outline the implications of the proposed policy or intervention for healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Word limit: 5000 words
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or prediction of a clinically important question that can be tested through empirical research. When formulating a hypothesis, it is important to consider previous research on the topic and to use sound reasoning and logic in developing the statement. A hypothesis should be specific, measurable, and relevant to the research question at hand.
Word limit: 5000 words
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical guidelines are evidence-based recommendations that are developed by expert panels or organizations to assist healthcare providers in making informed decisions about patient care. These guidelines are based on the best available evidence from scientific research and clinical expertise, and are intended to standardize and optimize care for specific conditions or patient populations.
Format: The format and structure of clinical guidelines can vary depending on the organization or panel that develops them. There is no word limit or other constraint placed by Osler Press, thus the organization is entirely at liberty to decide how they wish to present the article.
Comments
Comments offer readers an opportunity to provide their thoughts, opinions, and perspectives on a particular topic, and they may serve to add new information, offer additional insights, or provide a different perspective on a published piece in the journal.
Authors can directly comment on the article published in Osler Medicine. Comments should be brief and focused on a specific aspect of the article, and should be presented in a professional and respectful manner.
Disclaimer: While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.
Formatting guidelines
Title
- Provide a brief and informative title that accurately reflects the content of the paper. The title should be specific, descriptive, concise, and comprehensible to readers outside the subject field. Avoid abbreviations if possible.
- Where appropriate, authors should include the type of study design in the title.
- Include the names of all authors, their degree, affiliation, and full address including city, state/province and country. The name and address of the corresponding author should be separately and clearly indicated with email and telephone details.
Abbreviations
Non-standard abbreviations should be defined at their first occurrence in the text, and only be used consistently thereafter. This helps to ensure that readers can understand the meaning of the abbreviation. It is recommended to avoid using abbreviations in headings, abstracts, and other sections where the text needs to be clear and concise. Use the same abbreviation consistently throughout the text, and avoid using multiple abbreviations for the same term.
Abstract
Word limit: 250 words
The structure of an abstract may vary slightly depending on the reporting guideline requirements mentioned above, but generally, the following elements should be included:
- Background: Provide a brief overview of the background and context of the research question or problem being addressed.
- Objectives: Clearly state the main research objectives or questions being addressed in the study.
- Methods: Provide a brief description of the methods used to conduct the study, including the study design, population/sample, data collection procedures, and statistical analysis methods.
- Results: Summarize the main findings of the study, including any important quantitative or qualitative data. Avoid including excessive detail or statistical analysis in the abstract.
- Conclusions: Provide a brief summary of the main conclusions drawn from the study and their implications.
- Keywords: List 3-10 relevant keywords or phrases that describe the content of the study.
Graphical abstract (optional but recommended)
Graphical abstract should be a visual representation of the main findings of a research article. It should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. It should include images, graphs, and other visual aids.
Guidelines for graphical abstract:
- The graphical abstract should be uploaded using the submission system's designated “ upload graphical abstract” feature.
- The graphical abstract should be submitted as a separate file in a high-resolution image format (such as PNG, JPEG, or TIFF or MS Office files).
- It should have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
- Authors should choose a color scheme and design elements that are visually appealing and consistent with the overall tone of the paper. The abstract should be easy to read and understand, with legible fonts (font size 10-12 points) and appropriate contrast.
- Authors are encouraged to include color graphical abstracts, which will not incur any additional charge.
Video abstracts
Video abstracts are a dynamic and engaging way to communicate the key findings and concepts of your research paper. It should provide a brief summary of the main findings and concepts discussed in the paper. It should be visually engaging, with a clear and concise message that conveys the significance of the research.
Creating a good video abstract:
- Keep it concise: Try to keep it between 30 seconds to 3 minutes in length.
- Focus on the key points: Identify the most important findings and concepts from your research, and focus on these in your video abstract.
- Use visuals: Incorporate engaging visuals, such as animations, diagrams, or graphs, to help explain your research.
- Speak clearly: Ensure that your voiceover is clear and easy to understand. Speak slowly and clearly, and avoid using technical jargon or overly complex language. Include subtitles if possible.
- Use a script: Prepare a script in advance to help you stay on track and ensure that your message is clear and concise.
- Keep it engaging: Use a variety of visual and audio techniques to keep your audience engaged. This could include music, sound effects, or dynamic visuals.
- Test it out: Once you have created your video abstract, test it out on a few colleagues or friends to get feedback. This can help you identify any areas that may need improvement.
- Edit it carefully: Edit your video abstract carefully to ensure that it flows smoothly and is free of errors. This could include adjusting the timing, adding transitions, or tweaking the visuals.
Recommended video format guidelines for creating video abstracts:
- Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio of the video should be 16:9 with square pixels. Landscape format is generally preferred.
- Frame rate: Use a frame rate of 25 or 30 fps.
- Frame type: The frame size should be a minimum of 1080p. However, using 4K resolution is preferred as it provides even higher quality and clarity.
How to submit?
Video abstracts can be submitted using our submission system where you can attach the youtube or vimeo link. Click the Insert video abstract button in the toolbar and insert the URL of the video into the designated field.
Introduction
Begin the introduction with a general statement or statement of interest that provides background information on the topic and captures the reader's attention.
Describe the context and background of the research question or problem being addressed. Clearly establish the relevance and importance of the research question or problem. State the objectives or hypotheses of the study. This provides a clear focus and direction for the research and helps the reader to understand what the study aims to achieve.
Methods
Authors should ensure that they follow the reporting guidelines mentioned above according to the article type.
- Authors should clearly describe the study design, including any control or comparison groups, randomization procedures, and blinding protocols. Provide a justification for the choice of study design and any potential limitations.
- Describe the characteristics of the study participants or sample, including any inclusion/exclusion criteria, recruitment methods, and sample size.
- Describe the procedures used to collect the data, including any instruments or measures used, and any protocols for data management and quality control.
- Describe the statistical methods used to analyze the data, including any software or programming languages used, and any assumptions or limitations of the statistical model.
- Describe any ethical considerations related to the study, including any approval from institutional review boards (IRBs), informed consent procedures, and any potential conflicts of interest.
- Data availability: State the availability of the data and any restrictions on access to the data.
Results:
Begin with a brief summary of the main findings of the study, highlighting any key results or trends. Provide descriptive statistics for any quantitative data, including measures of central tendency and variability. Use tables and figures to help organize and present the data in a clear and concise manner and avoid interpretation of the results in the results section. Report negative findings as well as positive findings, as this can help to prevent publication bias and provide a more complete picture of the study.
Discussion and conclusion:
Interpret the results of the study in the context of the study's research question or hypotheses and relate the findings of the study to the existing literature in the field. Identify any similarities or differences between the current study and previous research, and consider how the current findings contribute to the overall understanding of the topic.
Discuss the implications of the results for future research, practice, or policy. Also, discuss the limitations of the study, including any potential biases or sources of error.
Include brief conclusions based on the findings of the study, and consider any future directions for research.
References
Osler Press follows the Vancouver referencing style.
Format:
- List the references in numerical order, as they appear in the text, within square brackets, e.g., [1], [2-5]. Reference citations can be placed either within the text, mid-sentence or at the end of a sentence but before the final punctuation mark.
- References should be numbered in the order they are cited in the text.
- Use abbreviations for journal names as per the standard abbreviation list by the National Library of Medicine.
- List up to six authors, followed by "et al." if there are more than six.
- Use the abbreviation "ed." for editors, "Vol." for volume, "No." for number, and "p." for page.
- If a reference is cited more than once, use the same number each time it is cited.
The reference list can include published or accepted manuscripts, as well as manuscripts on preprint servers that have a citable DOI. It is not recommended to cite unpublished work, unpublished data, retracted articles and personal communications in the reference list, unless necessary.
Types of sources:
- Journal article: Author(s) surname and initials. Article title. Journal title [abbreviated]. Year; volume(issue):page numbers.
- Book: Author(s) surname and initials. Book title. Edition number (if not the first). Place of publication: Publisher; Year.
- Book chapter: Author(s) surname and initials. Chapter title. In: Editor(s) surname and initials, ed(s). Book title. Edition number (if not the first). Place of publication: Publisher; Year. Page numbers of the chapter.
- Website: Author(s). Title of webpage. Website title. URL. Published date. Updated date. Accessed date.
- Conference proceedings: Author(s). Title of paper. In: Editor(s) of proceedings, eds. Title of proceedings. Place of publication: Publisher; Year. Page numbers of paper.
- Thesis: Author(s). Title of thesis [type of thesis]. Place of publication: University; Year.
- Examples:
Journal article:
[1] McCarthy PM, Nakatani S, Vargo R, Kottke-Marchant K, Harasaki H, James KB, et al. Structural and left ventricular histologic changes after implantable LVAD insertion. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 1995 Mar;59(3):609–13.
Book:
[2] Murray CJ, Lopez AD. The global epidemiology of infectious diseases. Mathers CD, editor. Cambridge: Harvard University Press; 2004 Jan 1.
Website:
[3] World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). WHO website. https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases/. Published 2021. Accessed March 29, 2023.
Supplementary Files:
Include any additional information that may be useful, such as informed consent forms, questionnaires, or protocols for data collection or analysis. Specify the format and organization of the supplementary files.
Overall, ensure that the manuscript is written in clear and concise language, with a consistent style and formatting. Use the headings and subheadings recommended by relevant guidelines to ensure that all relevant information is included.
Acknowledgements
Authors are required to acknowledge individuals who have made a significant contribution to the article, but did not qualify the authorship criteria. This may include individuals who provided technical assistance, laboratory or statistical support, or who helped with study design. Any use of artificial intelligence or writing tools also needs to be acknowledged. Obtain written permission from all individuals or organizations being acknowledged prior to publication.
Also, acknowledge any potential conflicts of interest or relationships that may have influenced the research or the writing of the article.
Funding
In the funding section of the article, all funding sources including grants, donations, and sponsorships should be explicitly and fully disclosed. The grant number should also be specified if applicable.
The authors are required to specify the involvement of the funding organization or sponsor, if there is any, in various aspects of the study, including study design, data collection, analysis and interpretation, report writing, and submission of the paper for publication. In case the funding source did not play a role in any of these aspects, this should also be clearly mentioned. Authors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to the funding sources.
Osler Press articles are published with open access and are subject to the Creative Commons attribution license 4.0. This means that the publication fulfills the open access requirements set forth by various institutions and funding bodies.
If the manuscript is published, funding information will be deposited to Funder Registry, a funder identification service from CrossRef.
Figures
- Image resolution: Highest available quality figures should be uploaded. A minimum resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch) is recommended, with at least 300 pixels per inch.
- File format: Figures should be submitted in one of the following file formats: .PNG
.JPEG
.TIFF
- Color: Color figures are encouraged, but authors should ensure that the colors used are distinguishable in grayscale. Please avoid using color combinations that may be difficult to distinguish, such as red-green.
- File Size: The individual figure files should not exceed 10 MB in size. If the figure is of extremely high quality and requires a larger file size, authors must contact the journal's editorial office to discuss alternative submission options.
- Labels and legends: All figures must be labeled and can include a legend. The legend should provide a brief description of the figure content and explain any abbreviations or symbols used. The system automatically assigns a number to all media items. Therefore, there is no need to add the number to the title.
- Font size: Text within figures should be legible at the size used in the published version of the manuscript. A font size of 10 points or larger is recommended.
- Figures with multiple panels: If a figure consists of multiple panels, each panel should be labeled with a lowercase letter in parentheses (e.g., (a), (b), (c), etc.).
- any excess white space around the image content should be cropped out to ensure that the figure is as clear and concise as possible.
- Copyright: Authors must ensure that they have the appropriate permissions for any copyrighted material used in their figures.
- Ethics: All figures should comply with ethical guidelines and should not contain any identifiable patient information without written informed consent.
The submission portal has a toolbar that allows you to add media to your article. This toolbar includes options to insert a figure, table, or video. Once you choose the desired option, you will be asked to upload the corresponding media file or paste the video URL. You will also need to provide a title and an optional legend.
To add a figure to your article, follow these steps:
- Click the Insert Figure button in the toolbar and position the cursor where you want to add the figure.
- Upload the image file.
- Enter a title and, if desired, a legend.
- Click the Next button and check that the figure meets all requirements.
- Click the Insert button to add the figure to your article.
Tables
- Each table should have a clear and concise title that accurately reflects the content of the table.
- The table should include headings for each column and row that provide context and clarify the meaning of the data. These headings should be clear and concise, and they should use terminology that is consistent with the rest of the article.
- Footnotes should be included to provide additional information about specific data points or to clarify any details that may be unclear from the table alone.
- All rows must contain data, and there should be no empty cells.
- It is important to note that the tables must be editable, meaning that they can be modified by the journal's typesetters if necessary. By creating tables as editable, cell-based objects, authors can ensure that their tables will be properly formatted and easy to read in the final published article.
- The top row of the table is considered the header row and will be bolded to distinguish it from the rest of the table.
- If the author cites a reference within a table, they must also include the full citation for that source in the references section of the article.
To insert a table:
- Click the "Insert Table" button in the toolbar and position the cursor where you want to add the figure.
- Copy and paste a previously created table and edit it as needed.
- Enter a title and, if desired, a legend.
- Click the Next button and check that the table meets all requirements.
- Click the Insert button to add the table to your article.
Videos
- Click the Insert video button in the toolbar and position the cursor where you want to add the video.
- Insert the URL of the video into the designated field. Verify that the video is playing properly by clicking on it.
- Enter a title and, if desired, a legend.
- Click the Insert button to add the video to your article.
Supplementary files
- Each supplementary file should be cited at an appropriate point in the main article and should be referred to clearly and accurately.
- Supplementary files should be submitted in the format in which they were created (e.g. PDF, JPEG, XLS, DOC etc.) and should be named clearly and descriptively.
- All supplementary files should be checked for accuracy and consistency before submission, and should be free of any errors or omissions, as they will be published exactly as they are received. Please remove any tracked changes option before submitting the file.
- Supplementary files will be made available to readers as a separate download from the main article.
Manuscript Charges
There are no article processing charges of any kind for publication in Osler Medicine. There is no submission fee and no extra charges is levied on colour image publication. All the costs of publication, copyediting, human resource, infrastructure or any other charges are bore by the journal.
We believe that academic publishing should be accessible to all researchers, regardless of their financial situation. We are committed to providing a platform for high-quality research to be published and shared with the broader scientific community, without imposing financial barriers.
We hope that by eliminating financial barriers, we can encourage a diverse range of researchers to submit their work to our journal and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
However, please note that as we continue to grow and expand our services, we may need to revisit our manuscript charges policy in the future. We will always strive to keep fees as low as possible and provide waivers whenever possible, and any changes to our policy will be communicated transparently to our authors.
Osler Press will continue to provide waivers for the full Article Processing Charge (100% discount of the APC) where all authors are based in low-income countries. This pertains to writers from nations categorized by the World Bank as having low income economies, as well as those who are part of HINARI (Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative).
Press release
In case an institution or funder of one or more of the authors plans to prepare and release a press release, authors should contact the editorial board and adhere to the following guidelines:
- It is advisable to make a press release following the acceptance and publication of your article as citations with links to the original article are often omitted when the press release is disseminated before the paper is available.
- Always cite the original publication in your press release, including the journal name, article title, and publication date. Include a link to the HTML version of the article on the journal website.
- Osler Press reserves the right to revise the press release to ensure it adheres to the journal's guidelines and to contact the authors' press offices if necessary.
If Osler Press decides to issue a press release for an article, the author(s) will usually be notified in advance and given the opportunity to provide input and feedback on the content of the release. The author(s) will also be asked to review a draft of the release before it is finalized and shared with the media. This helps to ensure that the release accurately reflects the findings of the article and that any potential misinterpretations or errors are corrected before the release is distributed. It also allows the author(s) to provide any additional context or information that they feel is important for the media and the public to understand.