Writing and Publishing the Trial Protocol

All trials require a protocol; once the trial begins staff can use it as a sort of manual, which should contain the key information for the trial to be completed. There are multiple guidelines for writing a trial protocol although the end results are similar: you basically need to say what you are going to do, why, when, where, how and with whom.  Publishing protocols is mandatory to all intents and purposes so it’s important to check specific details with journals for their preferred format. In some cases journals will require a protocol to be published before they consider publishing future work resulting from trial completion. Whether the protocol is for proposed or on going trials, the publication of protocols helps to improve the standard of medical research; avoiding duplication and research waste.