After defining your research question and deciding on the type of review that best aligns with it—whether it’s a qualitative synthesis, scoping review, or meta-analysis—the next essential step in the systematic review planning process is to develop a systematic review protocol.
A systematic review protocol is nearly the same as a research proposal. It lays out your plan for the review in a clear, structured manner. This document elaborates on what you intend to do and how, ensuring that the process is transparent, reproducible, and methodologically sound.
Your protocol should begin with a clear rationale for conducting the review. Why is this topic important? What gap in the literature are you trying to fill? Alongside the rationale, state your research question, aim, and specific objectives.
Be Careful When Defining Your Search Strategy
One of the most important components of a protocol is the search strategy, which includes specifying where you will search for studies. This step requires careful planning. It is essential to ensure that you have access to the sources you intend to use before you publish your protocol.
Some popular and often recommended databases—such as Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL—require institutional access. These databases can be extremely expensive or even entirely unavailable to individual subscribers. Therefore, it’s crucial to confirm your access rights beforehand.
If you’ve already published a protocol that mentions these databases and then later realize that you don’t have access to them, don’t panic. You can still move forward by utilizing our systematic review writing services. We have institutional access to a wide range of these essential databases and can help retrieve the literature you need to complete your review.
Quality Appraisal Tools: Choose in Advance
Another key element to include in your protocol is the quality appraisal tool(s) you’ll use to assess the studies you include. These tools—such as the CASP checklists, JBI tools, or AMSTAR—are widely available and designed to evaluate the methodological quality of research. Choosing and specifying your tools in advance helps maintain objectivity and methodological rigor.
Plan Your Data Extraction and Synthesis
Finally, your protocol should outline how you will extract data and synthesize your findings. Will you conduct a thematic synthesis, narrative synthesis, or meta-analysis?
If you plan to perform a meta-analysis, be cautious in your language. It’s wise to include a statement like: “If sufficient and appropriate data are available, we will also conduct a meta-analysis.” This provides flexibility. Many researchers mention they’ll conduct a meta-analysis, only to later discover that the available studies are too heterogeneous or lack the necessary data.
Final Thoughts
In summary, a well-developed systematic review protocol is a roadmap for your entire review process. It strengthens the transparency and credibility of your work while preventing avoidable obstacles. Make sure your protocol:
Clearly explains your rationale, aim, and objectives.
Lists where you’ll search for studies—and confirms you have access.
Specifies the quality appraisal tools you’ll use.
Outlines how you will extract and synthesize your findings.
And remember, if you encounter access issues or need expert assistance, our team at Systematic Review Writing Service is here to support you.
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