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Research Help Guide: Grey Literature

What is Grey Literature? (video)

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Quick Summary: What is Grey Literature?

Grey literature is information produced outside of traditional publishing and distribution channels. decorative

Examples

  • Reports, (research or annual reports)

  • working papers,

  • newsletters,

  • government documents,

  • speeches,

  • white papers,

  • urban plans, and so on.

Google is the easiest way to find Grey Literature like company reports.

 

More Information:decorative

Find Grey Literature

Evaluate your Sources

Searching with Keywords

Find Grey Literature

Finding Grey Literature:

Organizations such as businesses and charities along with Governments, regularly publish reports, white papers, statistics and other documents. Their intended audience could be the general public or stakeholders. These reports can be a key source for emerging research and alternative perspectives.

*However, these sources are not reviewed by peers and some are intended to promote the agenda /ideas of the organization.

Examples:

  • Reports & publications from governmental and nongovernmental organizations

  • Technical reports and standards

  • White papers

  • Annual reports

  • Blogs and social media

  • Conference proceedings and abstracts

  • Newsletters

  • Thesis and dissertations

 

Why Use them:

  • Well researched,

  • Current coverage of emerging issues

  • Local and Canadian content

  • Data and statistics

  • Personal and lived experiences

  • Different viewpoints from standard academic articles

 

Find Grey Literature:

The best place to start is with Google.

 

The following custom search boxes can help you find sources from Non-Government Organizations (NGO), International Government Organizations (IGO) and Governments.