A protocol outlines the planned framework for the systematic review or evidence synthesis. According to Cochrane, "a protocol outlines the question that the review authors are addressing, detailing the criteria against which studies will be assessed for inclusion in the review, and describing how the authors will manage the review process." By writing a protocol, authors can better plan and outline their review methodology and research question, and determine key components of the study (e.g. inclusion/exclusion criteria, risk of bias, grading of evidence, data extraction, etc.) at the onset of the project. This will allow reviews to be completed timely and efficiently.
In addition to providing benefits to the team, many journals and publishers now require authors to write and register a systematic review (or scoping review) protocol.
Within the health sciences, it is common practice (and often a required step!) to register your protocol. This critical step promotes transparency and reproducibility and helps to ensure that no one publishes a review on your topics while you are in the process. Outside of the health sciences, it is important to register a protocol, however, this process is less formalized and adherence lags behind health sciences.
A limited number of journals publish systematic review (and scoping review) protocols. Always confirm that the journal accepts protocols before submitting.
Conducting guidelines are the best practices or the guidance for researchers to use when conducting systematic reviews or evidence synthesis.
Best practices can provide guidance for:
Reporting guidelines are the required elements or standards that researchers should adhere to while conducting a systematic review or evidence synthesis.