• Enabling researchers to obtain feedback on draft study protocols through peer review
• Enabling readers to compare what was originally intended with what was actually done, thus preventing both "data dredging" and post-hoc revisions of study aims
• Enabling funders and researchers to see what studies are underway and hence reduce duplication of research effort
• Enabling systematic reviewers to find trials, which may in turn reduce distortion of the evidence from publication bias
• Enabling patients to see what studies are underway that they may wish to volunteer for

The ReBEQI project aims to support the publishing of study protocols by publishing protocols of studies being run by members of the ReBEQI group, publicising relevant protocols published by others and by working with other organisations (eg. funding agencies) to try and increase the number of published protcols within the field of healthcare quality improvement.

At present, the ReBEQI group is using Biomed Central as a good, open access publisher of protocols.  The ReBEQI group has no connection with Biomed Central.

For more information about why publishing study protocols will help to improve the quality and dissemination of quality improvement work and avoid duplication see Publishing study protocols: making them visible will improve registration, reporting and recruitment BMC News and Views 2001 2:4.