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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 1.5 More information about Impact Factor CiteScore 2.4 More information about CiteScore

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, 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). 

JMIR Research Protocols received a Journal Impact Factor of 1.5 according to the latest release of the Journal Citation Reports from Clarivate, 2025.

With a CiteScore of 2.4 (2024), JMIR Research Protocols is a Q2 journal in the field of General Medicine, according to Scopus data.

It should be stressed however that most authors do not publish their protocols for "impact" or citations, rather to document their ideas to how to design experiments, to document their successful grant proposals, or to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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RCTs - Protocols/Proposals (eHealth)

Exercises that involve increasing the speed of movements are beneficial for individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) and have the potential to reduce bradykinesia. High-speed bodyweight resistance training is accessible and versatile and can be performed anytime and anywhere, including at home. Furthermore, it is important to consider home exercises that enable treatment continuity and reduce barriers such as transportation difficulties and participation in physical exercise programs. However, we have not identified any studies that have conducted home-based high-speed bodyweight resistance training in individuals with PD.

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RCTs - Protocols/Proposals (funded, already peer-reviewed, non-eHealth)

therapy, a traditional Ayurvedic practice, involves the precise stimulation of (vital points that regulate [vital energy]) and alleviates musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. While historical texts describe ’s role in pain relief, no randomized controlled trials have evaluated its efficacy and safety in lumbar disc herniation (LDH)–related radiculopathy.

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Grant Proposals (funded, non-ehealth)

Since the rise of freely accessible pornographic streaming websites, pornography consumption has become widespread and normative worldwide. In Flanders, early exposure—before age 13—has tripled over the past decade, and frequent use, particularly among young men, is common. While pornography consumption may support body satisfaction, self-exploration, and self-esteem, evidence on its effects on sexual development and sexual well-being remains limited. Public debates are polarized, swinging between moral panic and denial of potential risks. Care providers and helplines increasingly report young people struggling with pornography-related concerns, such as self-perceived porn-induced sexual dysfunctions. Adolescents and young adults from diverse backgrounds express a clear need for guidance in navigating sexually explicit media, particularly when communication with parents, teachers, or health care providers is difficult.

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Non-randomized Protocols and Methods (ehealth)

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance patient safety, particularly in the prevention of in-hospital falls. Recent advances in sensor-based AI systems allow for the analysis of complex, multimodal data to generate real-time alerts, enabling health care professionals to intervene before a fall occurs. By shifting from reactive responses to proactive risk management, these technologies may enable reductions in fall incidence and improvements in care outcomes. As a result, hospitals across Europe are increasingly adopting such systems. Nevertheless, empirical evidence concerning their routine implementation remains limited, particularly concerning their impact on patient safety, clinical workflows, and the usage of health care resources. Addressing these gaps is essential for effective and sustainable integration into hospital care.

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RCTs - Protocols/Proposals (funded, already peer-reviewed, non-eHealth)

Chronic stroke and spinal cord injury (SCI) lead to persistent motor impairments that reduce independence and quality of life. Although rehabilitation is essential to address these challenges, the amount of therapy provided during the chronic phase remains limited, while the long-term costs of care are substantial.

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NIH funded proposals with peer-review reports (USA)

Opioid overdose remains a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Existing approaches to identify individuals at elevated risk rely on imprecise rule-based criteria that misclassify patients’ risk of this serious health outcome. Machine learning (ML) algorithms can help improve prediction performance and can be combined with electronic health record (EHR) interventions to reduce overdose risk.

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Scoping Review Protocols

Globally, researchers have documented an emergence of public health approaches within palliative care, leading to the development of compassionate communities, a movement that seeks to build community capacity to support individuals at the end of life and those affected by death and loss. Compassionate communities emphasize a social model of care that complements formal palliative services by reducing suffering, enhancing well-being, and empowering community members through collective action. The Compassionate City Charter broadens this scope to include civic institutions, outlining recommendations for adoption within workplaces and educational settings. However, empirical evidence examining the adoption of compassionate practices within workplace contexts remains limited.

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RCTs - Protocols/Proposals (non-eHealth)

Depression and anxiety frequently emerge during late adolescence and young adulthood; however, many conventional and app-based interventions struggle to sustain engagement. Virtual reality (VR) exergaming, music-based activities, and social interaction each show promise for supporting young people’s mental health, but their combined therapeutic value remains insufficiently tested.

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Scoping Review Protocols

Nonprofit organizations that serve the pediatric oncology community play a crucial role in disseminating quality information that can inform and support people living with childhood cancer, those that work in the field, and others who make key decisions or policies. These registered organizations can be challenging to locate, as the internet is flux with information and resources of varying quality, misinformation, and disinformation. There remains limited understanding of the knowledge mobilization landscape of these organizations in Canada.

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Systematic Review Protocols

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate exceeding 90%. Despite advances in treatment, survivors frequently experience persistent cancer- and treatment-related symptoms that negatively impact their quality of life. Body-oriented interventions (BOIs) have demonstrated effectiveness in symptom management; however, systematic reviews focused exclusively on BOIs for women who survived breast cancer (WSBC) remain limited. This systematic review protocol outlines the methodology for evaluating the scientific evidence on the effects of BOIs on cancer- and treatment-related symptoms in WSBC.

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NIH funded proposals with peer-review reports (USA)

Globally, approximately 8.6% of people will meet criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in their lifetimes, with 2.2% meeting criteria for AUD in the past 12 months. In the United States, AUD prevalence is even greater, with 13.9% meeting criteria in the past 12 months. Effective treatments for AUD exist, although most people receive help through mutual support groups (ie, Alcoholics Anonymous [AA]). However, AA and other mutual support programs may not be desirable for all individuals, particularly those who do not seek abstinence-based approaches. Treatments that support reductions in drinking have been shown to be as effective as abstinence-based treatments in reducing alcohol-related harms, and may be more appealing to a broader range of people. Mindfulness-based interventions may be particularly effective in supporting long-term recovery, whole-person health, and functioning for those with abstinent and nonabstinent recovery goals.

Preprints Open for Peer Review

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