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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 1.6 More information about Impact Factor CiteScore 2.8 More information about CiteScore

JMIR Research Protocols 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). 

It should be stressed however that most authors do not publish their protocols for "impact" or citations, rather to document their ideas to how to design experiments, to document their successful grant proposals, or to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"!

The journal is indexed in PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), MEDLINE, Sherpa Romeo, DOAJ, Scopus, Web of Science(WoS)/ESCI, and EBSCO.

JMIR Research Protocols received a 2025 Impact Factor of 1.6, ranking Q3 in Public, Environmental & Occupational Health and Health Care Sciences & Services. 

JMIR Research Protocols received a Scopus CiteScore of 2.8 (2025), placing it in the 68th percentile (210/669) as a second quartile (Q2) journal in the field of General Medicine.

Recent Articles

JMIR Publications logo: Advancing Digital Health & Open Science
RCTs - Protocols/Proposals (non-eHealth)

Approximately 5% of women will be affected by fetal malposition at full cervical dilatation, with the occiput in transverse or posterior positions. These women are more likely to require assistance to give birth to their babies with either rotational vaginal birth or cesarean birth at full dilatation. Three different rotational methods can be used: rotational (Kielland) forceps, rotational vacuum, and manual rotation. Current evidence supporting the use of the 3 rotational methods is only from observational data. To date, no randomized controlled trial (RCT) of rotational methods has been completed.

RECAST Collective Efficacy Training logo on a smartphone screen held by a hand
NIH funded proposals with peer-review reports (USA)

Community and youth violence are pervasive and have devastating health, economic, and social consequences. Violence too often impacts people of color and the life trajectories of youth in the United States, especially among people living in urban settings.

Elderly man with gray hair looking out a window while holding a smartphone.
RCTs - Protocols/Proposals (funded, already peer-reviewed, non-eHealth)

Older adults face a substantial burden of common mental disorders, yet they are less likely to seek professional help compared to younger adults. In Chinese contexts, collectivist values and stigma may further deter help-seeking. Social norms are central to the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and nudge theory, suggesting that norm-based messages, especially those that are visually engaging, could strengthen perceived social approval and subsequent help-seeking intentions.

Two toddlers in rain gear explore a forest floor with leaves and small plants.
Non-Randomized Study Protocols and Methods (Non-eHealth)

Outdoor play supports children’s physical, social, and cognitive development; yet, opportunities are declining as indoor, screen-based childhoods become the norm. Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) centers are key settings for promoting outdoor play, but limited evidence exists on the health and developmental outcomes of licensed nature-based ELCC programs, particularly for children with and those without disabilities.

Person on couch uses smartphone for telehealth call with doctor
Scoping Review Protocols

Patient navigation is a critical component of health care delivery, facilitating connections with appropriate services. A new era of virtual navigation systems has emerged, with systems that can be accessed through websites or smartphone apps. However, it is unknown which features of these novel systems impact patient outcomes.

Nurse smiles at patient in wheelchair, with medical staff in background
Scoping Review Protocols

Nurse-initiated management of antiretroviral therapy (NIMART) has expanded access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy and enhanced the decentralization of HIV care. The psychobiological and psychosocial responses of nurses implementing this strategy have been largely underexplored.

Support 4 Resilience logo with EU funding emblem
Non-randomized Protocols and Methods (ehealth)

Older adult care systems face severe workforce shortages, rising demands, and high levels of stress and burnout, undermining the quality of care and organizational resilience. Support4Resilience (S4R, 2024-2028) aims to improve working conditions and mental well-being by equipping leaders with an evidence-based, organizational-level intervention. The project develops and evaluates a digital S4R Toolbox consisting of 3 tools: (1) mapping and identification (MAP); (2) reflection and education (IMPROVE); and (3) reorganization (REMOVE).

Close-up of hands massaging the neck and shoulder area of a person lying face down.
RCTs - Protocols/Proposals (non-eHealth)

Nonspecific neck pain (NNP) is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal condition worldwide, yet optimal noninvasive treatments remain to be established. Tuina and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) are both commonly used in clinical practice, but comparative evidence is limited.

Woman shows phone screen with QR code and baby's foot
RCTs - Protocols/Proposals (eHealth)

In Pakistan, one-third of under-5 deaths (58/1000 live births) are attributable to the high prevalence of stunting (40%), underweight (23%), and wasting (17.7%). Given the suboptimal prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF; 48%) and the alarmingly low consumption of a minimum acceptable diet (3.6%), mitigation of early-life nutritional risk provides a critical window of opportunity for intervention. Mobile health (mHealth) provides an innovative and low-cost option to improve infant and young child feeding practices (IYCFPs) among mothers.

Young Black woman with braided hair using a smartphone outdoors
NIH funded proposals with peer-review reports (USA)

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most affected by the HIV epidemic, with Zambia experiencing a substantial burden of disease. Young people with HIV are disproportionately impacted. Emerging adulthood (ages 18-24 years) is characterized by increasing independence, risk-taking behaviors, identity exploration, and changing social supports, all of which may impact HIV self-management, including medication adherence and retention in care. Substance use may further undermine HIV outcomes. Innovative interventions targeting HIV self-management and substance use reduction among Zambian young people are urgently needed.

Woman doing bicep curls with pink dumbbells while sitting on an exercise ball.
Scoping Review Protocols

African American and Black women are among the least physically active demographic groups in the United States and experience disproportionate burdens of chronic disease that may be reduced through regular physical activity (PA). Mixed methods research is increasingly used to examine the behavioral, social, and contextual factors that influence PA in this population.

Woman receiving a relaxing head massage with candles and crystals in background
Systematic Review Protocols

Hypnosis is a focused state of consciousness that enhances concentration, attention, and responsiveness to suggestion. It has shown efficacy in treating psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, its potential for addressing burnout and related symptoms remains underexplored. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in alleviating symptoms of burnout and associated conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Preprints Open for Peer Review

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This journal is indexed in

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  • PubMed CentralMEDLINE
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  • ScopusDOAJDOAJ Seal
    Sherpa RomeoEBSCO/EBSCO Essentials

  • Web of Science - ESCI