This short Library video will define and describe grey literature and discuss how it can be useful to your research.

What is Grey Literature?

According to the International Conference on Grey Literature it is: "Information produced on all levels of government, academia, business and industry in electronic and print formats not controlled by commercial publishing i.e. where publishing is not the primary activity of the producing body" Grey literature can be challenging because it is frequently not indexed in databases the way books and journal articles are. 

Types of Grey Literature

Examples of entities that produce grey literature include: non-governmental organizations, professional associations, research groups, think tanks, and governments. There are many types of grey literature that can be scholarship, government, industry, or community-based. Examples of grey literature include patents, technical papers, working papers, white papers, pre-prints, and reports. Informal sources like these can often be more up-to-date than the traditionally published sources and can provide relevant perspective on the topic.

Evaluating Grey Literature 

However, like any source, you still need to critically evaluate grey literature. Examine your grey literature source to ensure that it is current, relevant, authoritative, and accurate. Consider the purpose for which it was created. Understanding the context in which your source was produced can help you appraise its value to your research and make you aware of any bias.

Where to find Grey Literature

Finally, you might wonder where you might find grey literature: that can be an iterative process. Grey literature can be found through a web search in Google, OpenGrey repository, and government or organizational websites (see their "publications" page).

Need help? Ask Us. Chat, E-mail, phone, or drop by. This concludes the short library video on grey literature.