How to propose changes to methods or tools used in Cochrane

Posted by Ella Flemyng (Methods Implementation Coordinator) on 21 November 2019.

Do you want to propose a change to the methods or tools used in Cochrane Reviews, such as to consider new methods or discontinue out-of-date methods? 

The Cochrane Methods Executive and Scientific Committee are pleased to announce a relaunch of the process for the Cochrane community to propose these changes. We are encouraging the submission of all methodological items from the community to discuss for future implementation, which could be field-specific or relevant to the community as a whole.

More details on the process can be found via:

  1. A new information page highlighting the ‘Process for proposing changes to methods or tools in Cochrane’ including details on what kind of submissions we accept for consideration and what you should expect once you’ve submitted a proposal. 
  2. A new ‘Cochrane Methods or Tool of Interest Form’ for submissions that includes new fields to facilitate the assessment process.
  3. Details on previous recommendations on methods or tools made by the Scientific Committee, which can be found under the new ‘Methods in Cochrane’ tab on the Cochrane Methods website.

We welcome a variety of submissions, including methods or methods-related developments deemed important to improve the quality and credibility of Cochrane Reviews, methods Cochrane should employ, or methods currently used but about which there are differences of opinion. Examples of submissions include methodological improvements or tool development, new methods, or methods offering different approaches, such as new tools for assessing risk of bias in different study designs, new tools to facilitate the review process, or new analytical methods for updating meta-analysis. 

The Methods Executive and Scientific Committee are responsible for assessing the submissions and if the recommendation is to consider it within Cochrane, the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board will make the decisions on methods implementation.  

If you have any questions about the process, please contact Cochrane Methods.

We look forward to receiving your proposals!