This guide explains how to search and evaluate grey literature, including sources, repositories, and registries. It also provides links to trusted resources and further reading. If you need assistance, library staff are available to help—just click the yellow "Need Some Help" button on this page to contact a librarian.
What is grey literature? Grey literature refers to research that is either unpublished or has been published in non-commercial form. Grey literature usually has not been peer-reviewed.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. It 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.
What is grey literature from Western Universities library
Other subject guides may also contain relevant information, browse the full list here.
There are a range of options for assistance for NSLHD employees, including database training, to one-on-one consultations with a librarian at the start of a research project, to requesting a literature search or an article from us. If you would like to request something not listed on this page, contact us. Go to Springboard>Request a Service for:
Check the Research Support Service Matrix to see which library services might be available to support your project.