Definition:

• Methods articles can be for proposed or ongoing prospective clinical research and should provide a detailed account of the hypothesis, rationale, and methodology of the study.
• Protocols of randomized controlled trials should follow the CONSORT guidelines and must have a trial registration number.

Word Count:

A study protocol should contain 2000 - 3000 words with a structured abstract of 300 words maximum.

Full Text:

Study protocols should comprise sections of:

• Background
• Methods/Design
• Discussion

• In a methods article, the maximum number of:
  • Tables or figures are 3
  • References are 25

.

• Please do not use abbreviations or references in the abstract.
• Trial Registration, if your singular is a protocol of a controlled health care intervention, please list the trial registry, along with the unique identifying number, e.g. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN73824458.