LibGuides: Systematic Reviews: Step 4: Register a Protocol

Why Register A Protocol

Protocol registration is a best practice recommended by major systematic review guidelines such as Cochrane, the JBI Manual, and the PRISMA Reporting Guidelines.
Reduces bias by establishing your criteria a priori
Much of the information within the protocol will assist with the article formatting and writing
Promotes transparent research methodology and open science
Establishes provenance of your research topic
Reduces duplication of efforts and promotes collaboration

PROSPERO
PROSPERO is an international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews in health and social care, welfare, public health, education, crime, justice, and international development, where there is a health related outcome. Key features from the review protocol are recorded and maintained as a permanent record. PROSPERO aims to provide a comprehensive listing of systematic reviews registered at inception to help avoid duplication and reduce opportunity for reporting bias by enabling comparison of the completed review with what was planned in the protocol.
JBI Systematic Review Register
This register is for the use of JBI affiliated entities only. Registration of a systematic review title on the JBI website is to promote collaboration between affiliated entities via highlighting current work to other JBI review authors and to recognise that the registered topic is currently in development to avoid any unintended and/or unnecessary duplication of research effort.
Open Science Framework
Many researchers deposit their protocols in OSF as a way of increasing research transparency.
osf.io is the preferred repository for non-clinical systematic reviews