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Systematic Review Protocol For Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Interventions
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This protocol guides the What Works Clearinghouse’s (WWC) systematic reviews of evidence on interventions to improve the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) knowledge and skills of students in preschool (PK) to grade 12 (or ages 3–21). To conduct the systematic review, this protocol is used in conjunction with version 4.1 of the WWC Standards and Procedures Handbooks and the Study Review Protocol.


Table of Contents

  • Purpose Statement (p. 1)
  • Literature Search (pp. 1-2)
  • Screening of Research Using Eligibility Criteria (pp. 2-4)
  • Synthesis and Dissemination of Findings (p. 5)
  • References (p. 5)
  • Appendix A. Prioritizing Research for Review and Synthesis (pp. 6-9)
  • Appendix B. Search Terms Used in Literature Search (p. 10)
  • Appendix C. Databases Used in Literature Search (pp. 11-12)

Protocol Details

  • Version: 4.1
  • Released: May 2022

What is a Protocol?

A review protocol defines the scope of a systematic review. Developed with substantive experts, the protocol defines the parameters for the review, including the research, populations, settings, and outcomes. The protocol also specifies details of the literature search and any topic-specific applications of the design standards.

Protocol versions reflect the version of WWC standards in effect when the protocol was released. Protocol versions that predate the current version of the WWC standards handbook can be used to identify acceptable outcome domains for review within a given topic. The current WWC standards are used to guide the review of studies with acceptable outcomes.

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