An algorithm provided as initial guidance for reporting registry records and published protocols in systematic...

Area of Science:

• Evidence Synthesis
• Health Research Methodology
• Systematic Reviews

Background:

• Reporting of trial registry records and published protocols (TRRs/PPs) in systematic reviews is inconsistent.
• Existing guidance and current practices by Cochrane reviewers vary significantly.
• Lack of standardization hinders transparency and methodological rigor in evidence synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize existing guidance and Cochrane reviewer practices.
• To develop an algorithm to assist reviewers in reporting TRR/PP use.
• To enhance the transparency and consistency of TRR/PP reporting in systematic reviews.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing guidance from major review bodies.
• Assessment of TRR/PP reporting in a sample of 166 Cochrane systematic reviews (Aug 2015-2016).
• Critical analysis and extraction of textual excerpts by independent reviewers.

Main Results:

• Review authors' terminology for TRR/PP status varied widely.
• Reporting practices for TRRs/PPs were diverse and inconsistent across reviews.
• An algorithm/graphical aid was created based on synthesized data.

Conclusions:

• The proposed algorithm offers initial direction for systematizing TRR/PP reporting.
• Enhancing TRR/PP reporting transparency is crucial in evidence synthesis.
• Further discussion and research are needed on protocol use complexities in systematic reviews.