Skip to Main Content
JMU Libraries logo .jmulib-logo-purple{fill:#450084;}
Loading

Systematic Reviews

Your protocol is an important part of the evidence synthesis process. It acts as a framework and guideline for your study. It should include:

  • Title
  • Background information
  • Objectives of the review
  • Your planned methods:
    • research question
    • inclusion/exclusion criteria
    • selected databases and gray literature
    • a sample search strategy
    • data management and extraction plan
    • data synthesis plan
  • Acknowledgements
  • Contributions of authors
  • Conflict of interest statement

Cochrane has created a style manual that can be a support document as you create your protocols

Protocol Templates and Reporting Guidelines

Sharing your Protocol

To help with transparency and accountability of your review, it is important that your protocol be registered and/or shared with other researchers. There are various avenues available through which to register: