The Cochrane Collaboration's work is based on ten key principles:

1. Collaboration, by internally and externally fostering good communications, open decision­making and teamwork.
   
2. Building on the enthusiasm of individuals, by involving and supporting people of different skills and backgrounds.
   
3. Avoiding duplication, by good management and co-ordination to maximise economy of effort.
   
4. Minimising bias, through a variety of approaches such as scientific rigour, ensuring broad participation, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
   
5. Keeping up to date, by a commitment to ensure that Cochrane Reviews are maintained through identification and incorporation of new evidence.
   
6. Striving for relevance, by promoting the assessment of healthcare interventions using outcomes that matter to people making choices in health care.
   
7. Promoting access, by wide dissemination of the outputs of the Collaboration, taking advantage of strategic alliances, and by promoting appropriate prices, content and media to meet the needs of users worldwide.
   
8. Ensuring quality, by being open and responsive to criticism, applying advances in methodology, and developing systems for quality improvement.
   
9. Continuity, by ensuring that responsibility for reviews, editorial processes and key functions is maintained and renewed.
   
10. Enabling wide participation in the work of the Collaboration by reducing barriers to contributing and by encouraging diversity.