A protocol is the pre-defined plan for a review. This is a key requirement of most types of evidence synthesis review.
It aims to avoid avoid duplication of reviews, and to minimise risk for reporting bias by enabling comparison of the completed review with what was planned in the protocol.
The PRISMA-Protocol (PRISMA-P) checklist is the standard for what to include in an evidence synthesis review protocol.
The checklist is based on the statement paper.
Moher D, Shamseer L, Clarke M, Ghersi D, Liberati A, Petticrew M, Shekelle P, Stewart LA. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Syst Rev. 2015;4(1):1. https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-4053-4-1
Examples are include in the associated explanation and elaboration paper.
Shamseer L, Moher D, Clarke M, Ghersi D, Liberati A, Petticrew M, Shekelle P, Stewart LA, the PRISMA-P Group. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015: elaboration and explanation. BMJ 2015;349:g7647. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g7647
Protocols of all evidence synthesis reviews should be registered and/or published.
Registries include:
Protocol registration is significantly associated with a higher impact factor of the journal publishing the systematic review.
van der Braak, K., Ghannad, M., Orelio, C., Heus, P., Damen, J. A. A., Spijker, R., Robinson, K., Lund, H., & Hooft, L. (2022). The score after 10 years of registration of systematic review protocols. Systematic Reviews, 11(1), 191. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-022-02053-9
Step into the world of evidence synthesis and learn what’s involved in systematic reviews, scoping reviews and more.
This session provides an overview of various types of evidence synthesis reviews. Learn about the differences in the methodologies, requirements, and processes for Systematic Reviews, Scoping Reviews, and more. Offered by NSLHD Libraries in conjunction with RNS ICU Research’s A/Prof Rosalind Elliott.
Watch a recording of this class
We also offer the more advanced Undertaking Systematic, Scoping and Other Evidence Synthesis Reviews, parts I and II.