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Grey literature

Information covered in this guide

What is grey literature?

The term grey literature refers to research that is either unpublished or has been published in non-commercial form. Grey literature usually has not been peer-reviewed. Examples of grey literature can include government reports, policy statements, clinical guidelines, statistics, theses, and dissertations, among others. Grey literature is often an invaluable source of up-to-date research on various topics and can contribute significantly to systematic reviews and large-scale review syntheses.

Why use grey literature?

Grey literature plays a crucial role in providing diverse and up-to-date research information, and its inclusion in systematic reviews and research projects can enhance the comprehensiveness and balance of available evidence.

Related Guides

These NSLHD guides may also contain information of interest:

Clinical Guidelines, policies and procedures

Statistics & Data Analysis