Research protocols explicitly describe the methods used in the systematic review: decisions about the review question, inclusion criteria, search strategy, study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, data synthesis and plans for dissemination.
Key elements to be included in a research protocol:
- Protocol registration site (e.g. Prospero) and number
- Rationale & objectives for the review
- Inclusion & exclusion criteria: what studies are eligible for your review?
- Consider study designs, populations, years of publication, publication status, language, etc.
- Information sources to be searched
- Draft of literature searching strategy
- Strategy for managing records and data
- Screening & selection process
- Data extraction methods
- Data synthesis methods
