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Literature Reviews: Grey Literature

What is Grey Literature?

Grey literature is material that is either unpublished or has been published in non-commercial form and as a result can be difficult to find. 

Grey literature publication types include:

  • Standards
  • Technical Information
  • Trade Literature
  • Information produced by Professional Bodies, Organisations or Private Companies
  • Government Publications 
  • Conference papers / proceedings
  • Websites
  • Social media 

Evaluating Grey Literature

Grey literature can vary considerably in terms of quality. It does not go through the same rigorous editorial process as books or academic journals. Make your own assessment for quality, reliability, and potential bias. Use our Evaluating what you find to check for validity and credibility.

Grey Literature Video