Cochrane method or tool interest form

Proposals to change methods and tools are assessed by the Methods Executive following the process outlined on the Cochrane Methods website.

Title or name of the method or tool

Name

Person completing this form

Email

Main Cochrane Affiliation (if any)

List all Cochrane groups and entities with which you are affiliated using separate rows.

Lead researchers of the method or tool

List lead researchers or developers, if known, using separate rows.

Confirm explicitly how, and in what context, you would like Cochrane to consider the method or tool

Briefly detail why you think Cochrane should consider the method or tool and how you envision it being used in Cochrane Reviews. Please state whether your proposal is to replace an existing method or if it is to be used in parallel with current methods. If the latter, please state which existing methods this new approach should complement or be used alongside. Please state if you are seeking Cochrane’s approval, endorsement, mandate or other (<200 words).

Detail what contribution or communication you have had with the Cochrane Methods Group relevant to the method or tool

Briefly detail which Methods Groups you have been in contact with and describe the level of collaboration and any support for the development of your proposal, if any. A list of the Methods Groups can be found here (<200 words).

Aims and objectives

Briefly describe the aims and objectives of the method or development (<200 words).

Key features

Briefly describe the key features of the method or development or methodological problem. Please state whether the method should be applied in standard Cochrane Reviews, specific types of reviews or whether more experimental (<300 words).

Strengths and limitations

Briefly detail the strengths and limitations of the method or tool, including scenarios when it is best suited and when it may be inappropriate to use. This is particularly important for methods and tools using artificial intelligence.

Implementation considerations

Briefly highlight any potential implementation considerations you envision, including, but not limited to; developments to Cochrane systems or tools, e.g. RevMan functionality or integration; specific requirement for publications and how it is visualised; whether it generates large datasets, how these should be managed and whether they should be published; any costs associated with its use; any ethical or other legal considerations, e.g., copyright, privacy, etc. for authors or Cochrane; and requirements for training authors, editors and/or peer reviewers, etc.

Key supporting information, publication(s) and guidance document(s)

If applicable, please list primary references or you can upload unpublished documents using the link below. This may include proof of performance, training, testing and validation evaluations, any pilot or empirical studies, how to access data, source code and other materials, information on the acceptability of the method or tool, and / or user guides and resources.