A new chapter for Cochrane
Cochrane has embarked on an important change programme to transform the way we produce high-quality, independent and timely evidence. The new model is designed to ensure Cochrane remains viable, sustainable, and focused on the greatest global health and care challenges now and into the future. As part of the new model we are implementing a Central Editorial Service to streamline the editorial process.
We are very grateful to everyone who contributes their time and expertise to the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group. We encourage you to look out for further communications about Cochrane's plans for the future and new opportunities to get involved. You can stay connected by:
- Following Cochrane on your favourite social media platform
- Opting in to Cochrane email communications in your Cochrane Account
Proposing and registering new review titles
Cochrane invites prospective authors to propose new Cochrane Reviews by submitting a proposal in Editorial Manager. Please see the Cochrane Library information for authors for further details.
Protocols
If their title is accepted, inexperienced review authors are encouraged to attend a workshop on protocol development if they have not already done so. Many Cochrane Geographic Groups offer training workshops and the Cochrane Training website has a comprehensive range of online and international face-to-face training opportunities.
Detailed information about planning, preparing and maintaining a Cochrane intervention review can be found in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Information relating to Diagnostic Test Accuracy reviews can be found on the Cochrane Screening and Diagnostic Tests Methods Group website.
Following approval of you proposal, you will be given access to Cochrane's online resources, training, interactive learning and software for preparing and maintaining Cochrane reviews and protocols. You will also be notified of any support available to you from the Cochrane ARI Group in developing your protocol. When your draft protocol is submitted, it will be considered by the editorial team. If it is of sufficient quality on initial assessment, it will be peer reviewed (please see our Editorial policies page for information about peer review and rejection).
Reviews
When your protocol has been published, you will be able to write your Cochrane review. Your protocol is the foundation of your Cochrane review. You will retain access to Cochrane's online resources for conducting and writing your review, and you will be notified of any support available from the Cochrane ARI Group in developing your review. Please note that publication of a protocol does not guarantee publication of a Cochrane review. Your review will be considered by an editorial team, and will be peer reviewed if it is of sufficient quality (please see our Editorial policies page for information about peer review and rejection).
Updating reviews
Cochrane reviews should be assessed periodically to determine whether an update is needed. ARI review authors are responsible for scanning the medical literature at least once a year to identify any newly published trials within the scope of their review. The decision to update is made on a case-by-case basis and should be based on the continuing importance of the review question to decision makers and the availability of new data or new methods that would have a meaningful impact on the review findings.
Reviews may also be updated in response to comments received via the Cochrane Library's 'Feedback' facility. Comments will be sent to the ARI Feedback Editor who will negotiate with the review authors directly regarding required changes and whether an update or amendment is required.
If the editorial base recognises that a review has become significantly out-of-date and the responsible review authors are unable to update the review, the editorial base will consider transferring responsibility for the review to a new team of review authors.