Learning objectives:

• Understand the rationale for having protocols for reviews
• Understand the role of a Background section in a review
• Understand the reasons for breaking down a question into participants, interventions, outcomes and study designs
• Be aware of pitfalls in defining questions
• Be familiar with entering text and references in RevMan and have completed a cover sheet for a review

Relevant sections of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions

• Chapter 2: Preparing a Cochrane review
• Chapter 4: Guide to the contents of a Cochrane protocol and review
• Chapter 5: Defining the review question and developing criteria for including studies

Other relevant material

• Cochrane Collaboration Style Guide (under help in RevMan 5).

Where does this go in a Cochrane review?

• This module covers the parts of a protocol, and review, with the headings Background, Objectives and Selection Criteria