Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Understand the importance of a systematic review protocol
- Identify the key elements of a review protocol
- Develop a comprehensive protocol for your review
Introduction
Developing a protocol is a crucial step in conducting a systematic review. It serves as a roadmap for your study, ensuring transparency and reproducibility.
Key Elements of a Protocol
Include the following in your protocol:
- Research Question: Clearly define the question your review will address.
- Search Strategy: Outline the databases and search terms you will use.
- Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Specify criteria for selecting studies.
- Data Extraction Methods: Describe how data will be collected and analyzed.
Steps to Develop a Protocol
Follow these steps to create a robust protocol:
- Define your research objectives and questions.
- Develop a detailed search strategy.
- Set criteria for study selection.
- Plan your data extraction and analysis methods.
Interactive Checklist
Use this interactive checklist to ensure your protocol is complete:
Conclusion
A well-developed protocol is essential for a successful systematic review. It provides a clear plan and helps maintain the review's integrity.
EviSynth offers tools to assist in developing and managing your review protocol efficiently. Learn more with EviSynth.