Guide for Developing a Cochrane Protocol - Cochrane Public Health ...

Getting started
Now that your title has been registered there are several resources you will need to help you to
complete your protocol. These are listed below and we have provided relevant links throughout
these documents. All are available at www.cochrane.org and www.ims.cochrane.org. If you have
problems downloading these files please contact the Review Group Coordinator. You should also
have received an email notifying you that a user account has now been set up for you in Archie.
Once you have activated this account you will be able to check out your review.
1) Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions
The Cochrane Handbook explains the Review process (parts have been summarised in this
document but you will need to refer to The Cochrane Handbook for more complete guidance)
(Higgins and Green 2008). The handbook is incorporated in the RevMan 5.1 software and also
available at http://www.cochrane-handbook.org. This document includes a chapter specific to
public health reviews (Chapter 21).
2) RevMan 5.1
This is the program which you must use to write your protocol and later your review. It is free
software that you can download easily to your computer. A tutorial is accessible from the help
menu in RevMan.
ALL AUTHORS ARE ASKED TO WORK THROUGH THE REVMAN TUTORIAL BEFORE WORKING ON
YOUR PROTOCOL.
3) RevMan user guide
This guide can be accessed as a PDF from the help menu in RevMan and provides a detailed
description about how to use RevMan. You should continue to refer to this user guide throughout
the review production process.
4) Cochrane style guide
This guide explains the style conventions for a Cochrane review.
www.cochrane.org/training/authors-mes/cochrane-style-guide
5) Other resources
There are a number of other resources available to support you. Many are listed on the Cochrane
Public Health Group website (http://ph.cochrane.org/resources-and-guidance)
6) Advisory group
The CPHG recommends that all review teams establish a Review Advisory Group (RAG) to advise
them on the scope of their review and its relevance to end-users. One author, usually the lead
author, should take responsibility for establishing the RAG prior to commencing work on the
protocol. The CPHG can provide you with assistance in identifying relevant RAG members but
ultimately it is the author team’s responsibility. Appendix 1 outlines guidance for establishing and
working with a RAG
Last updated: 24 November 2011 - 3 -