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Definitions of search types (full, top-up, scoping)
Search types | Definition |
|---|---|
Full search – results fully incorporated | Electronic search strategies run in full in all relevant databases AND all search results are assessed for eligibility and included, excluded, or ongoing studies (or ‘Studies awaiting classification’ if all reasonable efforts to classify it in one of these ways have failed)* |
Top-up search – results not fully incorporated | Electronic search strategies run in full in all relevant databases BUT search results are not all assessed for eligibility, instead they are placed in Studies awaiting classification |
Scoping search for updating | Electronic search strategies run in selected databases to determine if an update is required |
| *See R6 and R34 in MECIR; and definition of updating. | |
Examples of reporting top-up searches
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The search should be reported as per MECIR reporting standards R34 to 39, including the dates for each source. At the end of the search methods section, it is appropriate to add the following text:
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