1. Literature search

1.1 Introduction

A literature search will tell you if your study has already been carried out, and if so, under what conditions and with what results.

A literature search must be exhaustive (no article relative to your research question must be overlooked) and relevant (searching for articles unrelated to your question is pointless).

Several steps are involved: you must

  • Know what you are searching for.The topic must be defined, e.g. for the study of the progression of a disease, establish the determining factors and the background (patient types, age, socio-geographic factors, etc.). Set a time limit for literature searches.
  • Select the appropriate source documents
  • Define a search strategy, , and apply it.