Cochrane Style Manual
Cochrane publications

In this section: Protocol | Cochrane review | Comment on a Cochrane review | Protocol under development title | Editorial | Handbooks | Handbook chapter | Cochrane Editorial and Publishing Policy Resource | Cochrane Style Manual

Protocol for a Cochrane review

Example: Ranganathan LN, Ramaratnam S. Zonisamide monotherapy for epilepsy [Protocol]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD006789. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006789.

Reference typeCochrane protocol
AuthorsRanganathan LN, Ramaratnam S
English title

Zonisamide monotherapy for epilepsy

Note: do not add the word '[Protocol]' because the software enters this automatically.

Journal/book/sourceCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Date of publication2007
Issue4
Identifier - DOI

10.1002/14651858.CD006789

Note: the CD number is included in the DOI and does not need to be repeated.

 

Cochrane review

Example: Herbert RD, de Noronha M, Kamper SJ. Stretching to prevent or reduce muscle soreness after exercise. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 7. CD004577. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004577.pub3.

Reference typeCochrane review
AuthorsHerbert RD, de Noronha M, Kamper SJ
English titleStretching to prevent or reduce muscle soreness after exercise
Journal/book/sourceCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Date of publication2011
Issue7
Identifier - DOI

10.1002/14651858.CD004577.pub3

Note: the CD number is included in the DOI and does not need to be repeated.

 

Comment on a Cochrane review, protocol or editorial

All published comments on articles in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews have a unique URL that can be used to cite the comment. The comment URL can be found by accessing the full text of the comment on the Cochrane Library and then copying the URL that is displayed by the browser.

Example: Cosmi E, Belli P, Montisci M. Comment on: Fundal pressure during the second stage of labour. 12 March 2018. www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006067.pub3/detailed-comment/en?messageId=167119701

Reference typeCorrespondence
AuthorsCosmi E, Belli P, Montisci M
English titleComment on: Fundal pressure during the second stage of labour
Journal/book/sourcewww.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006067.pub3/detailed-comment/en?messageId=167119701
Date of Publication12 March 2018

 

Protocol under development

Example: Smith B. Anti-fibrotic therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other fibrotic interstitial lung diseases. Protocol under development. To be published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: https://www.cochrane.library.com.

Reference IDSmith 2024
Reference typeOther
AuthorsSmith B
English titleAnti-fibrotic therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other fibrotic interstitial lung diseases
Journal/book/sourceProtocol under development. To be published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: https://www.cochrane.library.com
Date of publication 

 

Withdrawn Cochrane review

Example: Kuhn EW, Slottosch I, Wahlers T, Liakopoulos OJ. Preoperative statin therapy for patients undergoing cardiac surgery [withdrawn 2016]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 5. CD008493. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008493.pub4.

Reference typeCochrane review
AuthorsKuhn EW, Slottosch I, Wahlers T, Liakopoulos OJ
English titlereoperative statin therapy for patients undergoing cardiac surgery [withdrawn 2016]
Journal/book/sourceCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Date of publication2016
Issue5
Identifier - DOI

10.1002/14651858.CD008493.pub4

Note: the CD number is included in the DOI and does not need to be repeated.

 

Editorial

Editorials published in the Cochrane Library are part of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Example: Jordan Z, Welch V, Soares-Weiser K. Unlocking the power of global collaboration: building a stronger evidence ecosystem together [Editorial]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2024, Issue 4. Art. No.: ED000166. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.ED000166.

Reference typeCochrane review
AuthorsJordan Z, Welch V, Soares-Weiser K
English titleUnlocking the power of global collaboration: building a stronger evidence ecosystem together [Editorial]
Journal/book/sourceCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Date of publication2024
Issue4
Identifier - DOI

10.1002/14651858.ED000166

Note: the ED number is included in the DOI and does not need to be repeated.

 

Handbooks

Note: the most recent version (version 6) of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was published in book and online form in October 2019. The online version is updated regularly, so you should cite the version that is most up to date. Only cite the book version if you used it as the reference material.   

If authors need to cite previous versions, an example of the 2011 online version is shown below; all other previous versions can be found at training.cochrane.org/versions-and-changes-handbook. References from previous versions of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions need to be formatted in the way shown below, and not as recommended within the Handbooks themselves.

 

2023 online version: Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 

Note: make sure to use the reference type 'Other', and not 'Book' or 'Section of book'.

To cite the full online Handbook, please use:

Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 6.4 (updated August 2023). Cochrane, 2023. Available from training.cochrane.org/handbook.

Reference typeOther
AuthorsHiggins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s)
English titleCochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 6.4 (updated August 2023). Cochrane, 2023
Journal/book/sourceAvailable from training.cochrane.org/handbook

 

2019 book version: Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 

To cite the print edition of the Handbook, please use:

Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. 2nd Edition. Chichester (UK): John Wiley & Sons, 2019.

Reference typeBook
AuthorsHiggins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s)
English titleCochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions
Date of publication2019
Edition2nd
Publisher nameJohn Wiley & Sons
City of publicationChichester (UK)

 

2011 online version: Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 

Note: the online version of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions has been replaced by a more current version (see above). We are keeping the 2011 online version in the Style Manual for practical reasons, but make sure to cite the version used in the review. Also make sure to use the reference type 'Other', and not 'Book' or 'Section of book'.

Example: Higgins JP, Green S, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 (updated March 2011). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011. Available from training.cochrane.org/handbook/archive/v5.1/.

Reference typeOther
AuthorsHiggins JP, Green S, editor(s)
English titleCochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 (updated March 2011). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011
Journal/book/sourceAvailable from training.cochrane.org/handbook/archive/v5.1/


 

Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy

Note: make sure to use the reference type 'Other', and not 'Book' or 'Section of book'.

To cite the full Handbook, please use:

Example: Deeks JJ, Bossuyt PM, Leeflang MM, Takwoingi Y, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Version 2.0. The Cochrane Collaboration, 2023. Available from https://training.cochrane.org/handbook-diagnostic-test-accuracy/current.

Reference typeOther
AuthorsDeeks JJ, Bossuyt PM, Leeflang MM, Takwoingi Y, editor(s)
English titleCochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Version 2.0. The Cochrane Collaboration, 2023
Journal/book/sourceAvailable from https://training.cochrane.org/handbook-diagnostic-test-accuracy/current

To cite the print edition of the Handbook, please use:

Example: Deeks JJ, Bossuyt PM, Leeflang MM, Takwoingi Y, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy. 1st Edition. Chichester (UK): John Wiley & Sons, 2023.

Reference typeBook
AuthorsDeeks JJ, Bossuyt PM, Leeflang MM, Takwoingi Y, editor(s)
English titleCochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy
Date of publication2023
Edition1st
Publisher nameJohn Wiley & Sons
City of publicationChichester (UK)

GRADE Handbook

Example: Schünemann H, Brożek J, Guyatt G, Oxman A, editor(s). Handbook for grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations using the GRADE approach (updated October 2013). GRADE Working Group, 2013. Available from gdt.guidelinedevelopment.org/app/handbook/handbook.html

Reference typeOther
AuthorsSchünemann H, Brożek J, Guyatt G, Oxman A, editor(s)
English titleHandbook for grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations using the GRADE approach (updated October 2013). GRADE Working Group, 2013
Journal/book/sourceAvailable from gdt.guidelinedevelopment.org/app/handbook/handbook.html

 

Handbook chapters

Note: the latest version (version 6) of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was published in book and online form in October 2019. The online version is updated regularly. Check https://training.cochrane.org/handbook/current for the latest online version. Cite the version that is up to date when you are writing or updating your review. Chapters in the book version should only be cited if the book version was used as the reference material.   

If authors need to cite previous versions, an example of a chapter from the 2011 online version is shown below; all other previous versions can be found at training.cochrane.org/versions-and-changes-handbook. References from previous versions of the Handbook need to be formatted in the way shown below, and not as recommended within the Handbooks themselves.

 

2023 online version: Chapter of the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions with authors

Note: make sure to use the reference type 'Other', and not 'Book' or 'Section of book'.

Example: Lefebvre C, Glanville J, Briscoe S, Littlewood A, Marshall C, Metzendorf M-I, et al. Chapter 4: Searching for and selecting studies. In: Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 6.4 (updated October 2023). Cochrane, 2023. Available from training.cochrane.org/handbook.

Reference typeOther
AuthorsLefebvre C, Glanville J, Briscoe S, Littlewood A, Marshall C, Metzendorf M-I, et al
English titleChapter 4: Searching for and selecting studies. In: Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 6.4 (updated October 2023). Cochrane, 2023
Journal/book/sourceAvailable from training.cochrane.org/handbook 

 

2019 book version: Chapter of the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions with authors

Example: Lefebvre C, Glanville J, Briscoe S, Littlewood A, Marshall C, Metzendorf M-I, et al. Chapter 4: Searching for and selecting studies. In: Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. 2nd Edition. Chichester (UK): John Wiley & Sons, 2019:67-108.

Reference typeSection of book
AuthorsLefebvre C, Glanville J, Briscoe S, Littlewood A, Marshall C, Metzendorf M-I, et al
English titleChapter 4: Searching for and selecting studies
Journal/book/sourceCochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions
Date of publication2019
Pages67-108
Edition2nd
Editor(s)Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA
Publisher nameJohn Wiley & Sons
City of publicationChichester (UK)

 

2011 online version: Chapter of the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions with authors

Note: the online version of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions has been replaced by a more current version. We are keeping the old online version in the Style Manual for practical reasons, but make sure to cite the version used in the review. Also make sure to use the reference type 'Other', and not 'Book' or 'Section of book'.

Example: Lefebvre C, Manheimer E, Glanville J. Chapter 6: Searching for studies. In: Higgins JP, Green S, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 (updated March 2011). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011. Available from training.cochrane.org/handbook/archive/v5.1/.

Reference typeOther
AuthorsLefebvre C, Manheimer E, Glanville J
English titleChapter 6: Searching for studies. In: Higgins JP, Green S, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 (updated March 2011). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011
Journal/book/sourceAvailable from training.cochrane.org/handbook/archive/v5.1/

 

2023 online version: Chapter of Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions with editors

Note: make sure to use the reference type 'Other', and not 'Book' or 'Section of book'.

Example: Li T, Higgins JP, Deeks JJ, editor(s). Chapter 5: Collecting data. In: Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 6.4 (updated August 2023). Cochrane, 2023. Available from training.cochrane.org/handbook.

Reference typeOther
AuthorsLi T, Higgins JP, Deeks JJ, editor(s)
English titleChapter 5: Collecting data. In: Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 6.4 (updated August 2023). Cochrane, 2023
Journal/book/sourceAvailable from training.cochrane.org/handbook

 

2019 book version: Chapter of Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions with editors

Example: Li T, Higgins JP, Deeks JJ, editor(s). Chapter 5: Collecting data. In: Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. 2nd Edition. Chichester (UK): John Wiley & Sons, 2019:109-142.

Reference typeSection of book
AuthorsLi T, Higgins JP, Deeks JJ, editor(s)
English titleChapter 5: Collecting data
Journal/book/sourceCochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions
Date of publication2019
Pages109-142
Edition2nd
Editor(s)Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA
Publisher nameJohn Wiley & Sons
City of publicationChichester (UK)

 

2011 online version: Chapter of Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions with editors

Note: the online version of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions has been replaced by a more current version. We are keeping the old online version in the Style Manual for practical reasons, but make sure to cite the version used in the review. Also make sure to use the reference type 'Other', and not 'Book' or 'Section of book'.

Example: O’Connor D, Green S, Higgins JP, editor(s). Chapter 5: Defining the review question and developing criteria for including studies. In: Higgins JP, Green S, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 (updated March 2011). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011. Available from training.cochrane.org/handbook/archive/v5.1/.

Reference typeOther
AuthorsO’Connor D, Green S, Higgins JP, editor(s)
English titleChapter 5: Defining the review question and developing criteria for including studies. In: Higgins JP, Green S, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 (updated March 2011). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011
Journal/book/sourceAvailable from training.cochrane.org/handbook/archive/v5.1/

 

Chapter of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy

Note: make sure to use the reference type 'Other', and not 'Book' or 'Section of book'.

Example: Deeks JJ, Takwoingi Y, Macaskill P, Bossuyt PM. Chapter 4: Understanding accuracy measures. In: Deeks JJ, Bossuyt PM, Leeflang MM, Takwoingi Y, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Version 2.0 (updated July 2023). Cochrane 2023. Available from https://training.cochrane.org/handbook-diagnostic-test-accuracy/current.

Reference typeOther
AuthorsDeeks JJ, Takwoingi Y, Macaskill P, Bossuyt PM
English titleChapter 4: Understanding accuracy measures. In: Deeks JJ, Bossuyt PM, Leeflang MM, Takwoingi Y, editor(s). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Version 2.0 (updated July 2023). Cochrane 2023
Journal/book/sourceAvailable from https://training.cochrane.org/handbook-diagnostic-test-accuracy/current

 

Cochrane Editorial and Publishing Policy Resource

Note: this can be entered in RevMan by using the reference type 'Other' and pasting the full reference in the 'English Title' field. Make sure to update the access date.

Example: Cochrane Evidence Production and Methods Directorate. Cochrane Editorial and Publishing Policy Resource. https://documentation.cochrane.org/display/EPPR (accessed 9 May 2023).

Example: Cochrane Evidence Production and Methods Directorate. Cochrane Editorial and Publishing Policy Resource (updated 27 October 2022). https://documentation.cochrane.org/display/EPPR/Appeals+policy%3A+editorial+management (accessed 9 August 2023).

Cochrane Style Manual and Style Essentials

See How to cite.

Section info
Contact
Denise Mitchell (production@cochrane.org)
Describe change
Minor edits (e.g. Cochrane Review to Cochrane review)
Changed Registered title to Protocol under development and updated citation info.
Updated intervention review handbook and chapters to most recent version(s).
Updated diagnostic test accuracy handbook and chapter to most recent version and added information on citing book version.
Updated Editorial and Publishing Policy Resource information.
Added example of withdrawn review.
Updated example of Editorial (previous example had CD number, not ED number)
Change date
31 May 2024