title: [The research protocol. Part I].
abstract: One of the principal aims in research is the publication of the study in scientific journals. This implies two challenges: the first one, the election of an adequate research design, and the second one, the concrete and simple wording of the results for the study to be accepted in the most appropriate journal according to the scope. Despite numerous supporting documents are available for both issues, the publication process is long, tiresome, and can discourage the most enthusiastic researcher. This is the first of a series of articles with the objective to describe the steps from the research question to the publication of the study. First of all, the importance of the research design will be addressed. The structure of the protocol is essential to achieve the objectives, and provides a way to organize the investigation in a logic, comprehensible and efficient manner.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Hospitalaria, Hospital de Pediatría, Coordinación de Investigación en Salud, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Distrito Federal, México. guadalumiranda@terra.com.mx.
authors.forename: María Guadalupe
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Miranda-Novales
authors.forename: Miguel Ángel
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Villasís-Keever
keywords: design; methodology; protocol; research