Grey literature consists of materials and research that are published by organisations and institutions outside of the traditional publishing and distribution channels. The organisations may choose to make the research and information known to the public or keep it private depending on their information distribution regulations and guidelines.
This source of information can prove to be quite valuable for policymakers, researchers and professionals as it is not available in mainstream publications. Additionally, the main difference between numerous literature papers and grey literature is that it does not undergo a peer-review process, which is why the quality of information can vary a great deal.
Definition Of Grey Literature
Grey literature can be defined as the materials created by various government, academia and industrial bodies where publishing is not the main focus. The purpose is to allow the dissemination of information, support the exchange of knowledge and address any emerging issues that are not available through traditional publishing entities.
Grey literature can be found on websites and databases of governments and organisations. Individuals search in sections of websites named resources, libraries, documents or reports for grey literature-related materials.
What Are Different Types Of Grey Literature?
As grey literature is not found in traditional academic publications, hence it is necessary to understand what are the different types of grey literature.
Reports
These include reports written by government, industrial or academic bodies that analyse or summarise findings from research.
Examples: Technical reports, Annual reports and Research reports.
Thesis and Dissertations
These include academic papers completed as graduate or undergraduate degrees, that include original research and analysis.
Policy Documents
Documents that outline policies, strategies and regulations from government bodies, think tanks and other regulatory bodies.
Conference Papers
Such papers are presented at conferences to outline the developments and research being carried out. These are a necessary part of grey literature.
Newsletters
Different organisations provide information and updates on their latest workings, research or activities. These are highlighted in their newsletter that are launched periodically.
White Papers
White papers are authoritative reports that provide a detailed analysis of a specific topic. They aim to support or address a particular solution, cause, or course of action and are targeted at a particular industry or field.
Government Publications
Documents and reports issued by governments that include statistical reports and legislative documents.
Surveys/Questionnaires
These qualitative research methods can also be considered grey literature. They are a means of gathering information and data from individuals and are often used by organisations to share research findings.
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Who Produces Grey Literature?
Grey literature, also known as fugitive literature or unpublished literature, is produced by many different bodies and institutions on different research topics. These are some bodies that produce grey literature:
- Non-profit Organisations
- Government Organisations
- Academic Institutions
- Think-Tanks
- Individual Researchers & Professionals
- Business Organisations
Terms Used For Grey Literature
It is common to be unfamiliar with additional terms used for grey literature. They are used as such materials differ by form and origin. Here are other terms by which grey literature is referred:
- Report Literature
- Policy Documents
- Fugitive Literature
- Non-Traditional Publication
- Ephemeral Publications
- Unpublished Literature
- Non-Conventional Literature
When To Use Grey Literature?
Grey literature is an excellent source of information for many research endeavours and is also a part of empirical research. Here is how you can use grey literature for a variety of reasons:
- Grey literature is of vital use when one is seeking comprehensive information on a specific topic or subject. These materials can provide practical information and practical findings that would not have been published in traditional journals.
- It also provides up-to-date information on recent happenings, particular subjects and phenomena before they are covered in peer-reviewed journals.
- It can help understand policy developments and regulations that affect the working of industries and government bodies.
- Reports and papers on government-initiated programs and campaigns can also assist in understanding and evaluating the success and drawbacks of their initiatives.
- Many grey literature sources can be found online in various databases. This makes them cost-effective, and easy to use for other research studies.
Drawbacks Of Grey Literature
As valuable as grey literature is, it entails some drawbacks. Explore the different disadvantages of grey literature:
| Lack of Peer-Review | Grey literature is not peer-reviewed by other academic professionals and researchers which is why it lacks the credibility and reliability of information produced. |
| Limited Accessibility | It is not accessible easily as it is not found in traditional databases. This can prove challenging to researchers who need to access related documents. |
| Scattered Data | Since much of the data and information is scattered across different formats and sources, it can prove to be tedious to compile a specific topic. |
| Citation Complication | Grey literature is difficult to cite as it is not published traditionally, and academic work relies highly on credible references and citations. |
| Biased Literature | There is a risk of research bias in the content provided because much of the information produced by government organisations and industries is based on specific agendas. |
| Short Shelf-Life | Grey literature, such as newsletters and policy briefs, is for a certain period. Hence, they become outdated after a while, so their relevance is short-lived. |
Examples Of Grey Literature
As mentioned before, grey literature takes up many forms, such as government reports, white appears, technical reports, conference papers and newsletters. However, discover what are some real-life examples of grey literature:
| Type Of Grey Literature | Example |
| Technical Report | NASA produces technical reports such as the “Apollo 11 mission report”. This report describes the technical aspects and results of space missions. |
| White Paper | The European Union (EU) published white papers such as “White Paper on Artificial Intelligence”, which outlines the regulations of the EU on the use of AI. |
| Market Research Report | Mckinsey & Company launched a market research report analysing the market trends during Covid-19. The report was named “ The future of work after COVID-19” and it offered policy and strategic recommendations. |
| Newsletter | The International Monetary Fund (IMF) launches their research newsletter monthly to provide the latest research findings, economic outlooks and policy proposals. |
It is to be noted that none of these papers or reports are peer-reviewed or published in academic journals, which makes them valuable resources of grey literature.
Sources For Seeking Grey Literature
Grey Literature can be sought from numerous websites and databases of government and industry bodies. However, there are some well-known online sources for seeking grey literature, such as:
- National Technical Information Service
- Web of Sciences
- OAlster
- Scopus
- Opengrey
- Google Scholar
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Cochrane Library
Frequently Asked Questions
Grey literature refers to a wide range of research material and information that is produced and distributed outside the traditional publishing channels. It is also underrepresented in indexing databases, which makes it difficult for citations.
Ephemeral publications are short-lived and temporary pieces of publication. They are used for a limited time-span and can become outdated. Additionally, they are not stored or archived for future use. Company handouts and newsletters are the most common source of grey literature.
Peer review is conducted by other experts and professionals in your field to evaluate your research work. It analyses the findings, methodologies and results, and checks for any factual errors. Additionally, it is also evaluated for potential bias and data credibility. Moreover, grey literature is not peer-reviewed, which is a major drawback, as it affects the credibility and quality of the information.
