The protocol is the plan or roadmap for your review that provides direction and clarity for the review team members.
It helps to increase transparency and minimise bias by documenting a clearly defined and focused research question, stating review objectives and outlining the process for completing the review, including a systematic search for at least one database.
While some methodological guidelines mandate protocols, they remain a valuable step in any review process. By predefining the scope and methods, protocols help prevent unintentional shifts in focus or selective reporting, ultimately strengthening the integrity of the review.
Once completed, the protocol should be registered or published to signal to other researchers that a review is underway to help avoid duplication and research waste.
For further information and instructions on developing understanding of a review protocols please explore our Module 3: Protocols.
If you are interesting in further information on this stage of a review, check out the following resources: