Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement

Area of Science:

• Evidence-based medicine
• Systematic reviews
• Research methodology

Background:

• Systematic reviews require robust protocols detailing rationale, hypothesis, and methods.
• Many systematic reviews do not report the existence of a protocol.
• Well-documented protocols improve review appraisal and detect reporting biases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses for Protocols 2015 (PRISMA-P 2015) guideline.
• To provide a 17-item checklist for preparing and reporting systematic review protocols.
• To promote transparency and completeness in systematic review methodology.

Main Methods:

• Development of the PRISMA-P 2015 reporting guideline.
• Creation of a 17-item checklist for systematic review protocols.
• Guidance for researchers, funders, peer reviewers, and editors.

Main Results:

• The PRISMA-P 2015 guideline provides a structured checklist.
• The checklist aids in the preparation and reporting of systematic review protocols.
• The guideline facilitates assessment of protocol completeness and transparency.

Conclusions:

• PRISMA-P 2015 promotes robust and transparent systematic review protocols.
• Mandating PRISMA-P 2015 can improve protocol information in funding applications.
• The guideline serves as a tool for evaluating the quality of published systematic review protocols.