What is a Protocol?
In the evidence synthesis process, the first step is determining a research question (Uman, 2011). The next step is deciding which type of review to conduct based on your research question. Before conducting the actual literature review and research, the team must develop a protocol.
The protocol of an evidence synthesis outlines the rationale, hypothesis, and methods researchers are planning to use in conducting their review (Page et. al, 2021). Protocols must be completed before the actual review is conducted, and is then used as a guide for the research team. Outlining the team's steps in the research process is not only essential for collaboration, but in establishing authorship and credibility. In order for your review to be legitimate, you must outline and justify the measures taken to search and review the relevant literature.
Once a protocol is developed, it is uploaded and shared for other researchers to review. This is done to allow for potential replication in research measures.