Research Guides: Systematic Reviews (in the Health Sciences): Protocol

What is a protocol for a systematic review?

A protocol is a document that outlines the processes you plan to use for your research project such as who are your teammates and their qualifications, what is your question, what databases will you search, what criteria you will apply to ensure you select the most appropriate studies, and how you will analyze the data found. Protocols are extremely important in systematic review research methods:

Developing a thorough protocol near the start of the project will provide your team with a roadmap to follow as you proceed through the 9 to 12 months of this research project.
Systematic reviews typically are published about 18 months after a team begins. By sharing your protocol prior to starting your project, you can help other researchers pick yet-unaddressed questions.
Many journals that publish systematic review manuscripts require that your protocol be made public prior to starting the project.

There is no single required format for a systematic review protocol and no single method for making a protocol public. Authors may be restricted by the venue in which they choose to publish, or, can choose what works best for them.

If you plan to publish, start by looking at requirements from the journal to which you plan to submit.

The journal Campbell Systematic Reviews requires authors submit a protocol in their specific format for publication in this journal. A systematic review manuscript may only be submitted for publication to this journal if the protocol was published in this journal.
The journal JBI Evidence Synthesis requires authors to have a protocol accepted by PROSPERO prior to starting their work. PROSPERO has their own template for protocols, and also publishes accepted protocols on their website (meeting the "make publically available" requirement).
Other journals will instruct you to create and make a protocol public, but not provide a specific template, and not provide a specific repository or site for publishing.

If a template and publishing method are not specified, select from the options here based on your available time and your question.

Templates and guidance for protocols

PROSPERO
PROSPERO provides a template. You can either use the online template and submit to PROSPERO for publishing if your protocol fits their rules, or, download the template instructions and make your own copy to publish on another site.
Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions
Section II.1.4 includes brief guidance on content of protocols adhering to Cochrane Standards.
PRISMA-P
PRISMA is a collaborative group that publishes standards and guidelines for all parts of the systematic review process, including a protocol template.
Increasing the Transparency of Systematic Reviews: Presenting a Generalized Registration Form
Published in the journal Systematic Reviews in 2023.

Publication options for protocols

PROSPERO
PROSPERO only publishes submissions of protocols for human health related reviews done by research teams for publication. If you submit a non-health-related review, or indicate that this is a student group of researchers, your protocol will be rejected.
Open Science Framework
This is a free website which provides scientists with a stable web URL for storing, sharing, and making files related to research public. Making a project on OSF and publishing your protocol satisfies the requirements for making protocols public.
BMC Systematic Reviews
This journal uses an adapted version of the PRISMA-P formatted protocols for publication and accepts and publishes protocols for a variety of reviews. Protocols submitted to this journal are peer reviewed. It can take a few months to learn if your protocol is accepted and published.