What is a systematic review protocol?

A systematic review protocol is a plan that encompasses every stage of the review process:

• Selection of Team Members
• Timeline
• Target Journals
• Research Question
• Search Terms/Strategy
• Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
• Databases
• Screening
• Quality Assessment Tool
• Data Extraction Template
• Data Analysis Plan (if running a meta-analysis)

Why should I create one?

• Creation of a protocol is considered best practice by the Cochrane Handbook and the PRISMA Guidelines for Systematic Reviews
• Reduce potential bias by creating an a priori methodology to guide the review process
• Stake your claim on the review topic by registering the protocol in a registry like PROSPERO
• Journals may require that a protocol has been created and registered prior to manuscript submission

When should I write the protocol?

You are ready to begin writing the protocol after completion of the following steps:

1. Exploratory searching
   • Confirmation that:
     • A systematic review is an appropriate methodology for the research question
     • A systematic review has not already been published and a protocol has not been registered in PROSPERO
     • There is enough literature to conduct the review
   • Familiarization with authors, keywords and landmark articles relevant to the research question
2. Selecting the team members
   • All systematic review team members should be involved in creation of the protocol
3. Meeting with a biostatistician (if you are running a meta-analysis)

How do I write the protocol?

1. Use the template recommended by leading systematic review authorities:
   • PRISMA-p statement
2. Check the author submission guidelines of your target journals to see if they require a protocol to be registered, and if so, in which registry
   • If it is not required, the best practice is to create and register the protocol in PROSPERO, cite the protocol registry link in your methods section and submit a copy with your manuscript as an appendix/supplement
3. For good examples, search for registered protocols in PROSPERO

If you have any questions, please meet with an Informationist at the Health Sciences Library for clarification and direction with the systematic review methodology. Individual appointments are available, as well as a systematic review methodology class offered twice a month.