The title should be clear, explicit and reflect the core elements of the protocol. Titles should not be phrased as questions or conclusions and there should be congruency between the title, review objectives/questions and inclusion criteria. The title needs to include the phrase ‘A systematic review protocol’.
The title should give an indication on the type of data that will be reported (descriptive, analytical or a combination of both) by including the epidemiological indicator or a term that reflects the analysis that will be used to measure the variables of interest. Generally, measures of disease should appear in the title (prevalence, incidence).
The factors or events of interest (health condition or disease of interest) are defined by the time period, the place and the population at risk. Accordingly, the title should specify the defining characteristics of the population (i.e., gender, age) as well as the place and time of occurrence where relevant.
For example: ‘Prevalence and incidence of depression amongst adolescents: a systematic review protocol’.