Skip to Main Content

Grey literature

Use this guide to learn more about what grey literature is and how to find it.

What is Grey Literature?

According to the NIH grey (or gray) literature is "...the term for information that falls outside the mainstream of published journal and mongraph literature, not controlled by commercial publishers"

Traditionally, the term grey literature has included:

  • Reports
  • Conference proceedings
  • Technical papers (including from government entities)
  • Clinical Trials
  • Doctoral theses/dissertations

There are also many other forms of grey literature, including: Newsletters, pamphlets, technical notes, blog posts, working papers, white papers, patents, and more.

Reasons to Utilize Grey Literature

Depth and Breadth:  Even if an article or book chapter is eventually produced from grey literature, such as a thesis or conference proceeding, the original work may contain data that is never included in the journal article that is ultimately published using its findings.  Grey literature might also offer a broader view, such as a government factsheet or community perspectives on a blog.

Timeliness:  Results of studies may appear in grey literature 12 to 18 months before being published via traditional channels.

Flexibility: Rather than waiting years for the publication of a revised edition, authors, editors, and content creators can update information when needed, a factor that reinforces the timeliness of grey literature.

Open Access:  There is a great abundance of grey literature that is freely available online.

Utilize "Searching for Grey Literature" on this guide to help you search efficiently.

Librarian

Profile Photo
Leah Everitt
Contact:
Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center
Room 215
505-272-0914

Creative Commons

Feel free to make a copy or re-use this page as long as you credit UNM HSLIC.

Creative Commons icon image.

This guide was created by a Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center staff member and is licensed by the Health Science Library and Informatics Center of the University of New Mexico under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.