Stage 5. Writing a Protocol

This paper is divided into the following sections: A. What is a protocol and why is a written protocol necessary? B. The topics that should be covered in a protocol and its layout. C. Suggested further reading. A. What is a protocol and why is a written protocol necessary? A research protocol is a detailed plan of a pro-posed project that provides written evidence of the need for the proposed study and its feasibility. It is the starting point for all quality research and indicates that the proposers have, as far as possible, considered all relevant points before starting the project