AMS press release labelling system for new medical research
The Academy of Medical Sciences has made a set of recommendations to help raise publictrust in medical research. One of these recommendations is for press releases to be given aclear label showing ​a)​ whether research findings have been through peer-review and​ b)​ a
summary of the type of research.
This labelling system is meant to help journalists see at a glance the nature and significanceof new research and act as an aid for press officers when discussing the work with authors.
How it works
The labels categorise the evidence according to whether it is peer-reviewed or not, what
type of study it is and, when relevant, what form of life has been studied. The press officer
should determine which of the below labels apply. The labels, consisting of just a few words,
will be written at the top of each release.
Peer-reviewed?

​Type of evidence

Yes
No

Systematic review
Randomised Controlled Trial
Experimental study
Observational study
Case study

Simulation/modelling
Literature review
SurveyOpinion piece/editorial

Subject of study

PeopleAnimals
Human embryos
Cells (includes
micro-organisms, tissue,organs or non-humanembryos)

Not applicable

Explanation of terms
Peer-reviewed?
The peer-review system uses independent experts to scrutinise research. Peer-review is far
from perfect, but it gives some confidence in the quality and robustness of the evidence.
Peer-reviewed​ – The entire study (including methods, results and discussion) was sent forindependent, external review by relevant experts as part of a journal publication process.
Not peer-reviewed​ – For anything that doesn’t fit into the ‘peer-reviewed category’including, but not limited to, all conference abstracts, posters or presentations, and editorials
and opinion pieces, even if they are being published in a journal.

Type of evidenceMeta-analysis ​– The author(s) combined the results, or data, from multiple previous studies
and performed a new statistical analysis.
Systematic review ​– The author(s) collected and critically analysed multiple studies using
criteria that were set before the start, as opposed to a literature review which can include
any papers that provide evidence for a particular point.
Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)​ – The author(s) put the test subjects (often people oranimals) in different groups at random and then manipulated at least one variable to see
what impact it had. An RCT will include a control group that has not received the treatment
being tested.
Experimental study​ – The author(s) manipulated at least one variable to see what impact it
had on the subjects (often people or animals). The subjects may have been put into different
groups, but not at random. There may, but will not always, be a control group that has notreceived the treatment being tested.
Observational study ​– The author(s) investigated whether X correlates with Y so cannot
demonstrate cause and effect. The author(s) did not manipulate a variable, though they may
have tried to measure it e.g. frequency of consuming diet drinks and obesity, where those
who are obese may be more likely to drink diet drinks.
Case study​ – These consist of observations or data from a single patient or individual caseeg in the form of a report that says ‘We found patient X had a surprisingly high level of Y’.
Simulation / modelling ​– The author(s) used a computer simulation or mathematical model
to predict the outcome, rather than measure real-world variables. The original values put into
the model may have come from real-world measurements.
Literature review​ – Summarises and references a number of previously published studies
on the topic, but does not include a new peer-reviewed re-analysis of data.
Survey ​– A study based solely on the responses to a series of questions. The survey label is
not meant for studies where participants in a trial are given treatments x or y and then asked
questions about their responses in follow-up.
Opinion piece/editorial​ – Based on the opinions of the author(s)/institution and mayreference new research but does not include original new data.