Cochrane’s editorial and publishing policies can now be found on the Cochrane Library Editorial policies page. Cochrane authors and editorial teams should refer to the Cochrane Library as the primary source of information on this policy. For editorial guidance on policies the EPPR remains the primary location. |
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Cochrane Reviews
Cochrane Reviews should only be withdrawn under exceptional circumstances, for example, if there is a concern about the conduct or reporting of the Cochrane Review. Reasons that do not fall under exceptional circumstances include questions related to the usage and currency of the review in question, the availability of new studies or information, how this information could impact the review and whether there are new methods that could make important changes to the review.
Examples of reasons for withdrawing a Cochrane Review
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Withdrawing a Cochrane Review generates a new citation version. For Cochrane Reviews, this includes a new entry in PubMed.
Protocols for Cochrane Reviews
Withdrawal policy: change in policy for protocols As of March 2022, protocols must not be withdrawn for any reason other than serious error. The current withdrawals policy can now be found on the Cochrane Library Editorial policies page. |
Protocols may be withdrawn for the same reasons as for reviews (see above) or for one of the following reasons:
- The protocol is out of date and does not meet the current methodological standards of Cochrane.
- Authors have made no progress with this protocol in XX months/years. New authors are being sought to take over this protocol.
- The protocol has been split into or merged with other protocols (provide full references).
Protocols that have not been converted into full Cochrane Reviews within two years of publication should generally be withdrawn from the CDSR.
Withdrawing a protocol for a Cochrane Review generates a new citation version.
Up to 16 December 2014, withdrawn protocols were removed from the CDSR after one issue of publication. From this date onwards, withdrawn protocols remain published to maintain the public record of publication and to complement the inclusion in PROSPERO.
Withdrawal followed by republication
The Editors may accept for publication a revised version of a Cochrane Review that addresses the issues raised in the withdrawn notice. Any such version will be re-evaluated using standard Cochrane editorial process, and may then be approved for publication (as a separate, subsequent version) in consultation with the Editor in Chief.