Where to prospectively register a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Research methodology
• Evidence synthesis
• Scientific transparency

Background:

• Prospective registration of research, particularly systematic reviews, is crucial for reducing bias, enhancing transparency, and preventing research waste.
• PROSPERO, established in 2011, was the primary platform for systematic review registration, but new options have emerged.
• Identifying and characterizing these new options is essential for guiding researchers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize current prospective registration options for systematic reviews.
• To assist systematic review authors in selecting a suitable registry.

Main Methods:

• Internet searches were conducted in January 2021 using keywords related to systematic reviews and prospective registration.
• Registration was defined as entering planned systematic review information into a database before study commencement.
• Data on registry characteristics were collected and verified with registry representatives.

Main Results:

• Five prospective registration options were identified: PROSPERO, Registry of Systematic Reviews/Meta-Analyses, INPLASY (systematic review-specific), and Open Science Framework Registries and protocols.io (generic).
• Systematic review-specific registries present a trade-off between registration costs and processing time.
• All identified registries offer search functions for previously registered reviews, though their utility is uncertain.

Conclusions:

• Systematic review authors have five distinct prospective registration platforms available, each with unique features.
• The research community needs to address sustainable funding models for non-profit research registers.