The PRISMA checklist includes a line item for a protocol, so you must produce and register a protocol to say your review followed PRISMA guidelines. Your protocol must follow a separate checklist called PRISMA for Protocols. We require a PRISMA compliant protocol for each project we collaborate on. Below are worksheets that include every item on PRISMA for Protocols.
If the project is a systematic or rapid review, register it in PROSPERO. PROSPERO will not accept your protocol if you've started extraction so plan accordingly.
PROSPERO will not accept scoping review protocols. Those must be registered in OSF, Figshare or Zenodo. If you're conducting a narrative or critical review, you won't need a protocol.
Protocols can be published as standalone papers. This is a great way to get feedback through editors' comments. Here are journals that accept protocol papers:
