Protocol project template
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Organizational Administrators | Unit Leads | Individual subscribers | 
Cochrane users
Protocol milestones:
1. Define question(s)
The suggested timeframe for completing this milestone is 1 week.
1. Formulate review question(s)
Cochrane Handbook
MECIR Manual
Methods Support Unit web clinics
- Considering scope at the review planning stage
- How to approach writing a Background section
- A checklist and guide for defining the questions to be addressed in the synthesis of public health intervention reviews
Webinar
2. Define objective(s)
Cochrane Handbook
MECIR Manual
Methods Support Unit web clinics
2. Define eligibility criteria
The suggested timeframe for completing this milestone is 2 weeks.
1. Define eligibility criteria
Cochrane Handbook
MECIR Manual
- Setting eligibility criteria for including studies in the review (C5-C13)
- Selecting outcomes to be addressed for studies included in the review (C14-C18)
Methods Support Unit web clinics
3. Plan methods
The suggested timeframe for completing this milestone is 4 weeks.
1. Plan search and develop search strategies
Cochrane Handbook
2. Plan study selection
Cochrane Handbook
- Determining which study designs to include
- Identifying multiple reports from the same study
- Eligibility based on publication status and language
3. Plan synthesis of results
Cochrane Handbook
- Choosing effect measures and computing estimates of effect
- Summarizing study characteristics and preparing for synthesis
- Analysing data and undertaking meta-analyses
- Undertaking network meta-analyses
- Synthesizing and presenting findings using other methods
MECIR Manual
Cochrane Methodology
Cochrane Interactive Learning
RevMan Knowledge Base
4. Plan data extraction
Cochrane Handbook
MECIR Manual
Cochrane Interactive Learning
RevMan Knowledge Base
5. Plan assessment of methodological limitations
Cochrane Handbook
- Considering bias and conflicts of interest among the included studies
- Assessing risk of bias in a randomized trial
- Assessing risk of bias due to missing results in a synthesis
- Assessing risk of bias in a non-randomized study
MECIR Manual
Cochrane Methods
Cochrane Methodology
Methods Support Unit web clinics
Cochrane Interactive Learning
RevMan Knowledge Base
6. Plan presentation of summary of findings
Cochrane Handbook
GRADE Handbook
7. Plan certainty/strength assessment
Cochrane Handbook
GRADE Handbook
4. Prepare manuscript for submission
The suggested timeframe for completing this milestone is 8 weeks.
1. Write background
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)
Methods Support Unit web clinics
Cochrane author guidelines
2. Formulate the objective
MECIR Manual
Methods Support Unit web clinics
3. Write the methods
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)
Cochrane Interactive Learning
4. Complete additional information
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)
Cochrane author guidelines
RevMan Knowledge Base
5. Internal feedback
RevMan Knowledge Base
6. Complete pre-submission checks
Cochrane author guidelines
RevMan Knowledge Base
7. Submit first draft
Editorial Manager - Information for authors
5. Editorial process
1. Address editorial and peer reviewer comments
Cochrane author guidelines
2. Internal feedback: revision 1
RevMan Knowledge Base
3. Submit revision 1
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)
Cochrane author guidelines
RevMan Knowledge Base
4. Address editorial and peer reviewer comments (2)
Cochrane author guidelines
5. Internal feedback: revision 2
RevMan Knowledge Base
6. Submit revision 2
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)
Cochrane author guidelines
RevMan Knowledge Base
6. Prepare manuscript for publication
1. Complete licence for publication
Cochrane author guidelines
Editorial Manager - Information for authors
2. Address final copy edit comments
Editorial Manager - Information for authors