About INPLASYⓇ protocols
What is a protocol?
The protocol is a document written before the start of your systematic review describing the purpose of your study and the planned methodological and meta-analytical approach.
The fast easy way to register your protocol
INPLASY is an international database created to help researchers around the world to register their systematic review protocols. After completed registration our platform provides an INPLASY number (e.g. INPLASY000000000), and a DOI number (e.g. https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy0000.0.0000) used to permanently identify the protocol and link to it on the INPLASY website.
The INPLASY protocol was developed using as a guide, the PRISMA-P checklist. The protocol information represents the explicit plan for a systematic review.
INPLASY protocol includes recommended items
PRISMA-P recommendations
An online platform through which you can register the intention to conduct a systematic review. The register facilitates increased transparency in the review process.
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
The digital object identifier is a unique alphanumeric string assigned to an online document. DOI is permanent and reliable because it never changes. All protocols registered on INPLASY.COM receive DOI. The URL of the page where a protocol is hosted can be changed over time, but a DOI is linked to the specific document and never changes.
Unique INPLASY number
INPLASY database provides a unique identification number that authors should report in the final published systematic review. The registration information is increasingly being asked for by a number of editors as part of the journal submission process. By registering the systematic review protocol, the opportunity for post hoc manipulation and potential consequent related bias are likely minimized.
How to cite the INPLASY record?
Suggested writing format for inclusion in the final systematic review:
"The protocol for this systematic review was registered on INPLASY (Unique ID number) and is available in full on inplasy.com (https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy00000000)."
INPLASY records are not peer-reviewed or assessed for methodological quality. It is the responsibility of the authors only. The registration record on INPLASY does not constitute an endorsement of methods. Our objective is to offer a low-cost service to register and publish a review protocol. Additionally, with authors’ permission, we can automatically update the author’s ORCID record on publication. INPLASY platform accepts registrations for systematic reviews, rapid reviews, umbrella reviews, scoping reviews, and mapping reviews.
Search the protocol
What type of studies are accept to register on INPLASY?
Prospective or retrospective systematic review protocols.
Systematic reviews assessing sports performance as an outcome.
Methodological reviews that evaluate the quality of reporting.
Literature reviews that use a systematic search.
Scoping Reviews.
Requirements for registration
Submissions must be in the English language (search strategies can be in any language).
Payment – Registration on INPLASY – Publication fees are payable upon protocol submission using Credit/ Debit cards, PayPal, Alipay, or WeChat Pay.