Background: Current methods for developing Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are well-established, leading to improved quality and increased adherence. However, in the field of social sciences, there is a parallel need for high-quality practice guidelines based on systematic review evidence to guide relevant decision-making.
Objective: This study aims to analyze the characteristics and quality of guidelines in the social science domain and propose recommendations for developing practice guidelines in social sciences that can be referenced akin to CPGs.
Methods: Focusing on the themes of management, education, and economics in social science, guidelines published in the social science field were retrieved through the Web of Science. Inclusion criteria encompassed guidelines published in English between January 1, 2011, and December 30, 2023, with titles containing "guideline" and "management, education, or "economic". Four researchers independently selected guidelines based on applicable criteria from the AGREE II and RIGHT tools tailored for the social science domain. Disputed items were resolved through modifications. Two researchers independently assessed the methodological quality and overall quality of the guidelines using adjusted AGREE II and RIGHT tools. Data were descriptively summarized using frequencies, proportions, and medians as appropriate.
Results: The findings will be presented in the report.