Validation of the Structured Narrative Review (SNR) Framework Through an International Modified Delphi Consensus Study

Background: Narrative reviews remain essential for synthesizing complex, multidisciplinary evidence, particularly in heterogeneous and evolving fields. However, their intrinsic subjectivity, risk of selection bias, and limited reproducibility have raised important methodological concerns. To address these limitations, we want to develop the Structured Narrative Review (SNR) Framework as an advanced model to enhance rigor while preserving interpretative flexibility. It will integrates established standards, including SANRA, PRISMA 2020, and PRISMA-ScR, and will be organized into core domains covering reproducible search strategies, evidence stratification, mechanistic synthesis, and epistemological transparency. Although conceptually grounded in methodological triangulation, formal validation is needed to ensure clarity, feasibility, and applicability across disciplines.Objective: This protocol will outline an international modified Delphi consensus study aimed at validating the SNR framework. The primary objective will be to achieve expert consensus on the relevance, clarity, and feasibility of each domain, as well as on the overall structure, scoring system, and recommendations for implementation in editorial and peer-review processes.Methods: A modified Delphi methodology will be conducted over two to three sequential electronic rounds, following CREDES and ACCORD recommendations. A Steering Committee will supervise the process, and an international panel of 30–50 experts will be recruited based on predefined criteria. In Round 1, participants will rate each SNR domain using a 5-point Likert scale, with consensus defined as ≥80% agreement (scores ≥4). Items not reaching consensus will be revised and reassessed in subsequent rounds. Analyses will include descriptive statistics, intraclass correlation coefficients for inter-rater reliability, and qualitative thematic analysis, performed using R software.Expected outcomes: The study is expected to produce a validated SNR framework, a standardized scoring system, and consensus-based recommendations, enhancing transparency, methodological rigor, and reproducibility in narrative reviews.