JMIR Research Protocols

Protocols, grant proposals, registered reports (RR1)

Editor-in-Chief:

Amy Schwartz, MSc, Ph.D., Scientific Editor at JMIR Publications, Ontario, Canada


Impact Factor 1.4 CiteScore 2.4

JMIR Research Protocols  (JRP, ISSN 1929-0748) is a unique journal indexed in PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), MEDLINE, Sherpa Romeo, DOAJ, Scopus, Web of Science(WoS)/ESCI/SCIE, and EBSCO, publishing peer-reviewed, openly accessible research ideas and grant proposals, and study and trial protocols (also referred to as Registered Report Stage 1 papers). 

In 2024, JMIR Research Protocols received a Journal Impact Factor™ of 1.4 (5-Year Journal Impact Factor™: 1.5) according to the latest release of the Journal Citation Reports™ from Clarivate, 2024. 

With a CiteScore of 2.4, JMIR Research Protocols ranks in the 66th percentile (#211 of 636) as a Q2 journal in the field of General Medicine.

It should be stressed however that most authors do not publish their protocols for "impact" or citations, rather to document their ideas to how to design experiments, to document their successful grant proposals, or to publish (and maybe brag a little about) their already funded protocols (which do not require additional peer-review). We offer this platform for scientists to publish peer-reviewed protocols for a very low APF, and unfunded protocols for a reasonable fee that includes peer-review. 

While the original focus was on eHealth studies, JRP now publishes protocols and grant proposals in all areas of medicine, and their peer-review reports, if available (preliminary results from pilot studies, early results, and formative research should now be published in JMIR Formative Research).

JRP is fully open access, with full-text articles deposited in PubMed Central.

Why should I publish my protocol? 

  • JRP publishes research protocols, grant proposals, pilot/feasibility studies and early reports of ongoing and planned work that encourages collaboration and early feedback, and reduces duplication of effort.
  • JRP will be a valuable educational resource for researchers who want to learn about current research methodologies and how to write a winning grant proposal.
  • JRP creates an early scientific record for researchers who have developed novel methodologies, software, innovations or elaborate protocols.
  • JRP provides a "dry-run" for peer-review of the final results paper, and allows feedback/critique of the methods, often while they still can be fixed.
  • JRP enhances rigor and demonstrates to reviewers of subsequent results papers that authors followed and adhered to carefully developed and described a-priori methods, rather than fishing for P-values (HARKing).
  • JRP facilitates and guarantees subsequent publication of results demonstrating that the methodology has already been reviewed, and reduces the effort of writing up the results, as the protocol can be easily referenced.
  • JRP is compatible with the concept of "Registered Reports" and since May 2018, published protocols receive an International Registered Report Identifier (What is a Registered Report Identifier?) and acceptance of the subsequent results paper is "in principle" guaranteed in any JMIR journal and partner journals - see What is a Registered Report?. We assign an IRRID (International Registered Report Identifier) to each published protocol, faciliating the linking between protocol and final study, and also indicating that results papers of studies are also "in principle accepted" for subsequent publication in other JMIR journals (or other members of the IRRID Registry Network) as long as authors adhere to their original protocol - regardless of study results (even if they are negative), reducing publication bias in medicine.
  • Authors publishing their protocols in JRP will receive a 20% discount on the article processing fee if they publish their results in another journal of the JMIR journal family (for example, JMIR for e-health studies, i-JMR for others).

Need more reasons? Read the Knowledge Base article on "Why should I publish my protocol/grant proposal"!

 

Recent Articles

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Non-Randomized Study Protocols and Methods (Non-eHealth)

The incidence of many common chronic childhood conditions has increased globally in the past few decades, which has been suggested to be potentially attributed to antibiotic overuse leading to dysbiosis in the gut microbiome.

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CIHR funded proposals with peer-review reports (Canada)

In the intensive care unit (ICU), many patients are unable to communicate their pain through self-reporting or behaviors due to their critical care condition, mechanical ventilation, and medication (eg, heavily sedated or chemically paralyzed). Therefore, alternative pain assessment methods are urgently needed for this vulnerable patient population. The Nociception Level (NOL) index is a multiparameter technology initially developed for the monitoring of nociception and related pain in anesthetized patients, and its use in the ICU is new.

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Development of Instruments and Surveys

Optimal anticoagulation using vitamin K antagonists prevents strokes associated with atrial fibrillation and heart valve replacements. Preparedness for self-monitoring and self-management could improve outcomes, but this remains a challenge.

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RCTs - Pilots/Feasibility Studies (non-eHealth)

There are limited therapies approved for the treatment of aggression and agitation in patients with dementia. While antipsychotics and benzodiazepines are commonly used, these medications have been associated with significant side effects and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) boxed warnings. Weighted blankets have been associated with decreased anxiety and improved sleep. Weighted blankets are potentially a nonpharmacologic option to reduce agitation in hospitalized patients with dementia.

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Non-randomized Protocols and Methods (ehealth)

The lack of osteoporosis treatment initiation after fragility fractures is a significant gap, especially in primary care. It is unclear whether barriers for primary care physicians (PCPs) arise from uncertainty about investigations, treatment initiation, or medication side effects. Key questions remain about whether active learning platforms improve treatment initiation rates better than passive methods and how PCP demographics affect learning outcomes. With PCPs increasingly using web-based platforms for continuing professional development due to time constraints and heavy workloads, an interactive community fracture capture (CFC) tool may serve as an effective alternative to in-person learning. Our CFC pilot study tested this new program’s design and content, showing promising potential.

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Grant Proposals (eHealth, funded)

Contactless monitoring of vital signs, especially the breathing of children, in the hospital is performed on a priority basis because their organs and immune system are immature. Therefore, continuous monitoring of their vital signs with a sensor that is directly attached to their body is not possible, as it irritates the sensitive newborn skin and causes discomfort. A contactless frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar-based device can wirelessly monitor the breathing rate and pattern of a child in the hospital or at home. Signal-processing capability can be added to this device to process breathing data and analyze the apnea condition arising due to irregular breathing patterns.

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Systematic Review Protocols

Educational technology (EdTech) has been instrumental in the last few decades in promoting inclusive education by overcoming various learning barriers and offering tools and opportunities to all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). However, there is limited understanding of current classroom practices and policies and of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on EdTech use in the inclusive classroom.

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RCTs - Protocols/Proposals (eHealth)

The coverage of influenza vaccination among older adults in Norway is insufficient, especially in some immigrant groups. To improve public health, there is a need for an intervention that can increase influenza vaccination coverage. Further, interventions tailored to reduce potential barriers among immigrants can reduce health inequities.

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Systematic Review Protocols

The increase in average life expectancy, aging, and the rise in the number of people living with dementia contribute to growing interest from the scientific community. As the disease progresses, people with dementia may need help with most daily activities and need to be supervised by their carer to ensure their safety. With the help of technology, health care provides new means of self-managing health that support active aging, allowing older people and people with dementia to live independently in their homes for a longer period of time. Although some systematic reviews have revealed some of the impacts of using digital interventions in this area, a broad systematic review that examines the overall results of the effect of this intervention type is mandatory.

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Grant Proposals (eHealth, funded)

Physical activity (PA) is crucial for youth health, but up to 74% of adolescents fail to meet recommended levels, especially during summer when structured supports associated with school are not available. The social and built environments significantly influence youth PA; yet, their complex interactions remain poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of combining ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and social network analysis to examine bidirectional influences among youth PA, built environments, and social networks during summer.

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RCTs - Protocols/Proposals (eHealth)

Pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) is frequently associated with cognitive and socioemotional alterations. Therefore, targeted rehabilitation to improve everyday functioning, particularly executive functioning (EF), is needed to limit the possible deterioration of cognitive abilities and behavior over time and the associated social and psychological costs.

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RCTs - Pilots/Feasibility Studies (eHealth)

The persistent high prevalence of e-cigarette use among young adults remains a significant public health concern, with limited evidence and guidance on effective vaping cessation programs targeting this population.

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Preprints Open for Peer-Review

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