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 type | Cochrane protocol |
| Authors | Ranganathan LN, Ramaratnam S |
| English title | Zonisamide monotherapy for epilepsy Note: do not add the word '[Protocol]' because the software enters this automatically. |
| Journal/book/source | Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |
| Date of publication | 2007 |
| Issue | 4 |
| 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 type | Cochrane review |
| Authors | Herbert RD, de Noronha M, Kamper SJ |
| English title | Stretching to prevent or reduce muscle soreness after exercise |
| Journal/book/source | Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |
| Date of publication | 2011 |
| Issue | 7 |
| 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 type | Correspondence |
| Authors | Cosmi E, Belli P, Montisci M |
| English title | Comment on: Fundal pressure during the second stage of labour |
| Journal/book/source | www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006067.pub3/detailed-comment/en?messageId=167119701 |
| Date of Publication | 12 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 ID | Smith 2024 |
| Reference type | Other |
| Authors | Smith B |
| English title | Anti-fibrotic therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other fibrotic interstitial lung diseases |
| Journal/book/source | Protocol 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 type | Cochrane review |
| Authors | Kuhn EW, Slottosch I, Wahlers T, Liakopoulos OJ |
| English title | reoperative statin therapy for patients undergoing cardiac surgery [withdrawn 2016] |
| Journal/book/source | Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |
| Date of publication | 2016 |
| Issue | 5 |
| 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 type | Cochrane review |
| Authors | Jordan Z, Welch V, Soares-Weiser K |
| English title | Unlocking the power of global collaboration: building a stronger evidence ecosystem together [Editorial] |
| Journal/book/source | Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |
| Date of publication | 2024 |
| Issue | 4 |
| 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.
2024 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 6.5 (updated August 2024). Cochrane, 2024. Available from training.cochrane.org/handbook.
| Reference type | Other |
| Authors | Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s) |
| English title | Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 6.5 (updated August 2024). Cochrane, 2024 |
| Journal/book/source | Available 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 type | Book |
| Authors | Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editor(s) |
| English title | Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions |
| Date of publication | 2019 |
| Edition | 2nd |
| Publisher name | John Wiley & Sons |
| City of publication | Chichester (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 type | Other |
| Authors | Higgins JP, Green S, editor(s) |
| English title | Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 (updated March 2011). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011 |
| Journal/book/source | Available 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 type | Other |
| Authors | Deeks JJ, Bossuyt PM, Leeflang MM, Takwoingi Y, editor(s) |
| English title | Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Version 2.0. The Cochrane Collaboration, 2023 |
| Journal/book/source | Available 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 type | Book |
| Authors | Deeks JJ, Bossuyt PM, Leeflang MM, Takwoingi Y, editor(s) |
| English title | Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy |
| Date of publication | 2023 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Publisher name | John Wiley & Sons |
| City of publication | Chichester (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 type | Other |
| Authors | Schünemann H, Brożek J, Guyatt G, Oxman A, editor(s) |
| English title | Handbook for grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations using the GRADE approach (updated October 2013). GRADE Working Group, 2013 |
| Journal/book/source | Available 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.
2024 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'. The reference now includes the date the chapter was updated, as well as the date the Handbook, as a whole, was updated.
Example: Lefebvre C, Glanville J, Briscoe S, Featherstone R, Littlewood A, Metzendorf M-I, et al. Chapter 4: Searching for and selecting studies (chapter last updated September 2024). 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 6.5 (updated August 2024). Cochrane, 2024. Available from training.cochrane.org/handbook.
| Reference type | Other |
| Authors | Lefebvre C, Glanville J, Briscoe S, Featherstone R, Littlewood A, Metzendorf M-I, et al |
| English title | Chapter 4: Searching for and selecting studies (chapter last updated September 2024). 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 6.5 (updated August 2024). Cochrane, 2024 |
| Journal/book/source | Available 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 type | Section of book |
| Authors | Lefebvre C, Glanville J, Briscoe S, Littlewood A, Marshall C, Metzendorf M-I, et al |
| English title | Chapter 4: Searching for and selecting studies |
| Journal/book/source | Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions |
| Date of publication | 2019 |
| Pages | 67-108 |
| Edition | 2nd |
| Editor(s) | Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA |
| Publisher name | John Wiley & Sons |
| City of publication | Chichester (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 type | Other |
| Authors | Lefebvre C, Manheimer E, Glanville J |
| English title | 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 |
| Journal/book/source | Available from training.cochrane.org/handbook/archive/v5.1/ |
2024 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'. The reference now includes the date the chapter was updated, as well as the date the Handbook, as a whole, was updated.
Example: Higgins JP, Li T, Deeks JJ, editor(s). Chapter 6: Choosing effect measures and computing estimates of effect (chapter last updated August 2023). 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 6.5 (updated August 2024). Cochrane, 2024. Available from training.cochrane.org/handbook.
| Reference type | Other |
| Authors | Higgins JP, Li T, Deeks JJ, editor(s) |
| English title | Chapter 6: Choosing effect measures and computing estimates of effect (chapter last updated August 2023). 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 6.5 (updated August 2024). Cochrane, 2024 |
| Journal/book/source | Available 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 type | Section of book |
| Authors | Li T, Higgins JP, Deeks JJ, editor(s) |
| English title | Chapter 5: Collecting data |
| Journal/book/source | Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions |
| Date of publication | 2019 |
| Pages | 109-142 |
| Edition | 2nd |
| Editor(s) | Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA |
| Publisher name | John Wiley & Sons |
| City of publication | Chichester (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 type | Other |
| Authors | O’Connor D, Green S, Higgins JP, editor(s) |
| English title | 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 |
| Journal/book/source | Available 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 type | Other |
| Authors | Deeks JJ, Takwoingi Y, Macaskill P, Bossuyt PM |
| English title | 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 |
| Journal/book/source | Available 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.