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Stage 1: Getting Started: Step 5: How to Write/Register a Review Protocol

Writing your Review Protocol

Protocols are widely recommended as a basis for any synthesis review, as they provide a clear outline of what will and will not be included in the final review.

The purpose of your protocol is to provide a transparent description of:

How you write your protocol will be informed by the guidelines for the review, and these guidelines will depend on the type of synthesis review and academic discipline.

There are several registers of protocols, some of which are associated with the organization publishing the review (e.g., The Cochrane Collaboration, JBI).

When writing your protocol, the Deakin University Library suggests considering the following points:

If you would like see examples of guidance on writing a systematic review protocol, see the PRISMA-P guidelines - http://www.prisma-statement.org/Extensions/Protocols - and the  JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, Chapter 11.2 Development of a scoping review protocol.

Registering your Review Protocol

For several type of review, it is recommended that protocols be registered before beginning your search.

Registering your protocol is to ensure:

  • Transparency throughout the research process
  • Prevent you from changing the methodology part-way through, or helping you identify and justify necessary changes in methodology
  • To limit duplication of reviews in progress

There are several registers of protocols, often associated with the organization publishing the review. The Cochrane Collaboration and Joanna Briggs Institute both have their own protocol registries, and PROSPERO is a wide-reaching registry covering protocols for Cochrane, non-Cochrane and non-JBI reviews on a range of health, social care, education, justice and international development topics.

Below are some additional protocol registration sites:

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