Check which Cochrane publication is for you, and find out about our uniquely rigorous and supportive systematic review process.
Which publication is for you?
There are two ways to publish with Cochrane. Find out which is the right one for you:
- Do you want to write a systematic review?
- Do you have an idea for a review but have not yet started work on your review?
- Do you agree to develop your review in line with Cochrane's processes, methods and policies?
If your answers are 'yes', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews is for you. Find out about publishing a systematic review with Cochrane.
- Do you want to publish a type of evidence synthesis which is not a systematic review, such as a scoping review?
- Do you have a manuscript ready for submission?
If your answers are 'yes', Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods journal is for you. Find out about the aims and scope of Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods.
Know before you start a Cochrane review
Cochrane reviews are dynamic research projects that are updated over time to include new evidence and methods. We are committed to providing reliable, relevant health evidence that is trusted the world over. To achieve this, we ask our systematic review authors to go through a rigorous process that ensures all our reviews make a unique, high-quality contribution to health evidence.
We therefore do not accept completed manuscripts or completed protocols. Instead, we ask you to shape and develop your research in line with clear guidelines that we provide every step of the way. For example, we ask you to submit a clearly defined proposal (previously called a 'title'). This enables us to determine whether a review is worth doing before you start, and can save you a lot of time if we find your proposal isn't suitable for a review.
If your proposal is accepted, you can be sure no one else is writing a similar review. Next, you'll need to write a carefully formulated protocol, and then conduct and report your review using our methods. At the peer review stage, you may be asked to make several changes that improve your final draft.
We know that systematic reviews take a lot of work. That's why we offer an unusually wide range of support at every stage, helping you to produce the best evidence to inform healthcare decisions and policies.
Read about our exceptional support and other benefits of publishing a systematic review with us.
The review publishing process: summary
Here is a summary of the Cochrane review publishing process. Follow the links in the numbered headings to find out more about each stage of the process.
Start a new review or update
All new Cochrane reviews start with a research proposal. Tell us about your proposed review. What question will your review answer? How will this contribute to evidence-based medicine?
Write the protocol
If your proposal is accepted, we invite you to write a protocol. Your protocol explains how you plan to conduct your review. We have guidance to help you plan your methods in advance. This increases transparency and prevents bias. All Cochrane protocols are peer reviewed before acceptance and publication.
Conduct the review or update
If your protocol is accepted and published, you start to conduct your review, following your protocol. We provide you with standards, guidance and supporting resources.
Write the review
Once your have conducted your review, it's time to write up your findings. We provide you with a template and a wide range of support to help you get it right as you write.
Meet our standards
We encourage you to check your protocol and review manuscripts thoroughly before you submit them. We check that you have produced them in accordance with our policies and requirements.
After submission
After submission, your protocol and review manuscripts go through a rigorous peer review process, to ensure they meet our criteria for acceptance. You may be asked to make several amendments at these stages.
Once your review is accepted for publication, it is copyedited, proofed and the licence for publication is confirmed. Congratulations, you are now the proud author of a Cochrane review! We support you to publicise your findings to maximise their impact.
As new evidence becomes available, you can submit a research proposal to update your review, then publish your update and look out for more evidence...
Completed systematic reviews
We will exceptionally consider submissions of completed systematic reviews. Before conducting a review, contact our editorial service to ensure that we will be able to support your direct submission.
All direct submissions must:
- be commissioned (for example, by a guideline developer);
- meet our mandatory conduct standards for reviews; and
- have a prospectively registered protocol which must comply with our mandatory conduct standards for protocols.
Ready for the challenge?
We look forward to welcoming you to our community of authors. Get started on your author journey today.
Why publish with us?
Benefits of publishing a systematic review with Cochrane
