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Drexel Library

Systematic Reviews

Developing a Protocol

Step 1) Create your Protocol (your playboook) for starting and completing your systematic review. It is essential to document your review according to a protocol to avoid bias in the review. A protocol is document that  "describes the rationale, hypothesis, and planned methods of the review. It should be prepared before a review is started and used as a guide to carry out the review." - PRISMA protocol guidelines

  • This protocol includes your methodology such as eligibility criteria of the studies and search strategy. The PRISMA-P or PRISMA-2020 statement will help guide the scope of your protocol.
    1. PRISMA-P was published in 2015 aiming to facilitate the development and reporting of systematic review protocols.
    2. PRISMA-2020 includes a description of how the reporting guideline was developed and presents the 27-item checklist, an expanded checklist that details reporting recommendations for each item, an abstract checklist, and template flow diagrams for original and updated reviews. 

Step 2) Register your Protocol. It is important to register the protocol because it establishes a public document stating that you are working on a topic and reduces  duplication of reviews. A protocol also creates opportunity for peer review to improve review methodology and establishes credibility and accountability. Publication of a review protocol in a peer reviewed journal is not essential however, a protocol must be completed and made publicly available, prior to the conduct and publication of the systematic or scoping review.

There are several registries:

  1. JBI Systematic Review Register - Search for systematic reviews that are currently underway. This register is for the use of JBI affiliated entities only. 
  2. Open Science Framework (OSF) - A free and open platform to support  research and enable collaboration. OSF Registries is a scholarly repository built for sharing, searching, and aggregating registrations of research. 
  3. PROSPERO - An  international registry of systematic review protocols. 

  4. Cochrane - A repository for systematic reviews in health care, Cochrane publishes protocols that meet their strict guidelines. If a review protocol is accepted, you must publish your review as a Cochrane Review.