PROSPEROPROSPERO is a protocol registry for systematic reviews with a health-related focus.
Containing over 10,000 searchable records, PROSPERO is produced by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD ) at the University of York, with funding provided by the UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Registration requires basic information about the systematic review’s design and conduct. No peer-review is involved, nor is any evaluation of quality undertaken; however, examiners ensure that all required data is provided and that the scope of the review is appropriate for PROSPERO. (Curiously, PROSPERO makes no effort to limit registration of duplicate reviews.) A unique registration number is assigned, thus serving as a nexus between the planned and completed review. All registration information is then published in an open access database, which serves as a public record: researchers may track any subsequent uses of their review, while others may use registration information to determine entities/organizations performing systematic reviews on particular topics.
One criticism of the registration process is that it might discourage other researchers from investigating a topic because they feel the topic is already “taken.” However, full contact information is given for each review, so other researchers are able to contact reviewers to check on the progress of any registered review. PROSPERO plays no role in the regulation of the systematic review process.
