1. Literature search

1.4 Using documents that have been retrieved

a. Checking that the search has been exhaustive

There are two approaches: retrospective and prospective.

The retrospective approach:

This method consists in reviewing the bibliography referenced in all the articles that have been retrieved (including those that will be deleted) to ensure that no relevant historical reference has been overlooked.

This essential job is relatively straightforward and quick, after which articles not relevant to the study can be definitely discarded.