Systematic Reviews

• A well-written protocol describes the purpose of your review, your hypothesis, and the methodology for the review. 
• A protocol shows clear project planning and should be completed early in the project. 
• Protocols promote:
  • Consistent conduct by the review team 
  • Accountability 
  • Research integrity
  • Transparency of the eventual completed review

A protocol ideally includes the following:

• Databases to be searched and additional sources (particularly for grey literature)
• Keywords to be used in the search strategy
• Limits applied to the search
• Screening process
• Data to be extracted
• Summary of data to be reported

A good way to familiarize yourself with research protocols is to look at a few. Use the PROSPERO link below to see examples of registered systematic review protocols. Use the PRISMA-P link to view recommended elements to include in your protocol. Or use DML's protocol template as a tool for planning your protocol. 

• Registering your protocol is a good way to announce that you are working on a review, so that others do not start working on the same topic.
• Protocols may be registered/submitted to a repository or a journal before the review is conducted.
• Systematic review protocols are often registered at PROSPERO.
• Scoping review protocols can be submitted to Open Science Framework (OSF).
• Check with author guidelines to see if it may be appropriate to submit your protocol to a journal.