Grey literature encompasses a wide range of materials produced by various entities such as government agencies, academic institutions, businesses, and industries. Unlike traditional publications controlled by commercial publishers, grey literature is often disseminated through alternative channels, both in print and electronic formats. Coined by Wood in 1982, grey literature refers to information that is not readily available through standard book-selling avenues, making it challenging to locate and access.
Examples of grey literature include theses, dissertations, conference papers, reports (such as white papers, working papers, and internal documentation), government documents, technical notes, proposals, datasets/statistics, policies/procedures, patents, unpublished trial data, regulatory data, speeches, urban plans, test instruments, pre-prints, company information, and even content from social media platforms. A comprehensive list of document types falling under grey literature is provided by GreyNet International.
The term “grey literature” stems from the ambiguity surrounding the status of this type of information. However, despite its unconventional dissemination channels, grey literature serves as a valuable resource, especially in cases where peer-reviewed research is scarce or limited. It often introduces alternative perspectives and provides timely access to research findings. Additional advantages of grey literature include:
- Expedited Publication: Grey literature can be published much more quickly compared to traditional academic journals due to the absence of lengthy peer-review processes. Studies may appear in grey literature 12 to 18 months before being formally published.
- Timely Updates: Online resources from organizations often receive more frequent updates than traditional scholarly journals and books, ensuring users have access to the most current information available.
- Depth of Content: Grey literature, such as dissertations, may include raw data and in-depth analyses that are not typically found in journal articles, providing a deeper understanding of the topic.
- Comprehensive Overviews: Grey literature, such as white papers or fact sheets, can offer broad perspectives on an issue or topic, providing valuable insights beyond what is covered in traditional academic literature.
- Reduced Publication Bias: Grey literature is less prone to reporting or publication biases commonly found in traditional academic publishing. It is more likely to include negative results, such as those from clinical trials, contributing to a more balanced understanding of research findings.
In conclusion, while grey literature may pose challenges in terms of accessibility and validation, its diverse range of content and timely availability make it a valuable complement to traditional scholarly resources. Researchers should consider incorporating grey literature into their information-seeking strategies to gain a comprehensive understanding of their research topics.
Locating grey literature
Locating grey literature poses unique challenges for researchers due to its diverse nature and accessibility issues. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when embarking on a search for grey literature:
- Limited Dissemination: Grey literature may not be widely distributed through conventional channels, making it challenging to locate and access.
- Online Availability: Some grey literature may not be published online or may lack stability in its online presence, with URLs or websites prone to changes over time.
- Archiving Challenges: Older grey literature documents may not be adequately archived, leading to difficulties in retrieving historical materials.
- Format and Citation Variability: Grey literature often lacks consistent formatting and citation standards, making it challenging to identify and reference accurately.
- Volume Overload: The sheer volume of grey literature available can be overwhelming, requiring careful navigation and selective searching to identify relevant materials.
- Lack of ISBN or ISSN: Unlike traditional publications, grey literature may not possess an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), further complicating identification.
- Quality Control: Grey literature typically lacks peer review, resulting in varying levels of quality and reliability. It’s crucial to critically assess the credibility and validity of sources.
To assist researchers in evaluating the suitability of grey literature for their research, resources such as the Evaluating Information Guide and the AACODS checklist can be valuable tools. These resources enable researchers to critically appraise grey literature and determine its appropriateness for their research needs.
When searching for specific types of grey literature or conducting broader searches online, consider the following techniques:
- Tailored Searches: Customize search queries to target specific types of grey literature, such as theses, reports, or conference papers, using relevant keywords and phrases.
- Broad Online Exploration: Utilize search engines, databases, and specialized repositories to conduct comprehensive searches for grey literature across various platforms.
By incorporating these strategies and leveraging available resources, researchers can effectively navigate the challenges associated with locating grey literature and access valuable information to enrich their research endeavors. For further assistance or inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact the Library.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials serve as a crucial component of grey literature, contributing valuable insights to ongoing research endeavors conducted by a myriad of entities, including organizations, federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), academic institutions, and individual healthcare providers. These trials are designed to assess the efficacy of novel treatments, interventions, medications, procedures, and medical devices with the overarching goal of enhancing health outcomes within specific populations.
Numerous library databases and online platforms offer access to comprehensive collections of full-text clinical trials, facilitating seamless exploration and retrieval of pertinent research materials. For detailed guidance on accessing clinical trials, interested individuals can refer to the Clinical Trials Guide provided by their respective libraries.
In instances where locating the full text of a specific clinical trial proves challenging, researchers have the option to submit an Interlibrary Loan request to obtain the necessary material. This service facilitates access to resources that may not be readily available within the library’s existing collection, ensuring researchers can access essential literature to support their inquiries and investigations.
Conference Proceedings
A conference proceeding serves as the official publication documenting the proceedings of a conference, congress, symposium, or similar event sponsored by a professional association or society. Typically, these proceedings encompass abstracts or reports of papers presented by participants during the event. When the complete texts of these papers are included, they are often referred to as transactions.
Locating conference papers and proceedings can pose challenges due to factors such as lengthy publication timelines or potential non-publication. These documents may appear in various formats, including books, abstract compilations, or even journal articles. Moreover, they may be exclusively deposited in institutional or author repositories, further complicating access.
Fortunately, several library databases simplify the search for conference proceedings by providing dedicated filters or search options. For example, platforms like ProQuest offer specialized source-type filters, streamlining the retrieval process for conference materials. Additionally, other databases such as IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, LearnTechLib, CINAHL, and ERIC also house extensive collections of conference proceedings, enhancing accessibility to these valuable resources. Interested individuals can explore these databases through their library’s A-Z Databases page for comprehensive access to conference papers and proceedings.
Dissertations and Theses
Exploring previously published dissertations and theses can serve as a valuable source of inspiration when developing your own dissertation topic. The Library offers access to millions of full-text dissertations and theses, providing a wealth of scholarly content for your research endeavors. To access these resources, visit the Library’s Dissertation Resources page, where you’ll find a curated list of databases tailored to meet your needs.
For instance, you can delve into dissertations from alumni specifically through ProQuest Dissertations and Theses @ Northcentral University. Alternatively, you can explore a vast repository of over 3 million full-text dissertations available via ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, offering a comprehensive collection of academic works across various disciplines.
For further guidance and resources on finding dissertations, consult the Finding Dissertations Guide, which provides additional insights and tools to facilitate your search process. Whether seeking inspiration or conducting in-depth research, the Library’s dissertation resources offer invaluable support for your academic pursuits.
Government Documents
Government documents serve as crucial primary sources of information covering a diverse array of topics. Accessing these documents is made possible through official government websites, which host a wealth of valuable resources. Below are key government document repositories along with brief descriptions of their functions:
- Catalog of U.S. Government Publications: This tool provides access to federal publications, offering descriptive information on historical and current documents, and direct links to full texts when available.
- Data.gov: Serving as the U.S. Government’s open data platform, Data.gov offers a vast repository of data, tools, and resources for research, application development, data visualization, and more.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: This resource compiles the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by federal departments and agencies, managed by the Office of the Federal Register and the Government Publishing Office.
- Federal Register: As the official journal of the U.S. federal government, the Federal Register contains rules, proposed rules, and public notices issued by government agencies.
- govinfo: Offering free public access to official publications from all branches of the Federal Government, govinfo serves as a comprehensive repository of government documents.
- HathiTrust: This collection includes U.S. Federal Documents identified through the HathiTrust Federal Government Documents Registry, providing a valuable resource for researchers.
- MetaLib: A federated search engine that allows users to search multiple U.S. federal government databases, retrieving reports, articles, and citations with direct links to selected online resources.
- Pueblo.GPO.gov: Operated by the U.S. Government Publishing Office Pueblo Distribution Center, this site supports the distribution of free federal publications.
- U.S. Government Bookstore: This platform enables users to search for and order government information products available from the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s Information Dissemination area.
- U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO): Serving as the official source for producing, preserving, and distributing official federal government publications and information products, the GPO plays a vital role in keeping America informed.
- USA.gov: As the official U.S. portal, USA.gov provides access to federal, state, local, tribal, and international government information and services.
These repositories offer a wealth of information essential for researchers, policymakers, and the general public, facilitating access to authoritative government documents and publications.
Preprint
A preprint serves as an initial draft of a research manuscript authored by scholars before its formal publication. Often regarded as final drafts, preprints may also be referred to as working papers or unpublished manuscripts. Unlike peer-reviewed articles, preprints have not undergone the rigorous peer-review process or received modifications from publishers, such as formatting, copy-editing, or technical refinements. Therefore, it is crucial to approach preprint publications with a critical mindset.
Due to the lengthy duration of the peer-review process, which can span three to six months, preprints offer a means to disseminate valuable research findings and foster discussions ahead of formal publication. They serve as a platform to access timely information on emerging or rapidly evolving research topics.
Preprints are typically disseminated electronically and are made publicly available on various databases or preprint repositories. These repositories provide platforms for researchers to share their work with the academic community before official publication.
To locate preprints in library databases and online resources, it is essential to refrain from selecting the peer-reviewed journal limiter. Instead, employ specific search techniques tailored to each database. For instance, in EBSCO’s Business Source Complete and ProQuest Central, users can navigate to the Advanced Search screen and opt for “Working Paper” under Publication Type or Source Type, respectively, to refine results exclusively for preprints.
Moreover, preprints can be found in dedicated preprint repositories such as arXiv, bioRxiv, ChemRxiv, medRxiv, OSF Preprints, and more. These platforms offer researchers across various disciplines the opportunity to share their work openly and collaboratively.
By utilizing these techniques and exploring diverse preprint repositories, researchers can effectively access a wealth of preprint literature, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and facilitating scholarly discourse in their respective fields.
Research reports
Research reports serve as comprehensive documents presenting the findings of research endeavors, projects, investigations, or surveys. Typically published by the funding organization or the entity conducting the research, these reports offer valuable insights into various subjects and areas of study.
To access research reports, individuals can explore the websites of subject associations, research organizations, or academic institutions, in addition to utilizing NU Library’s databases. These reports often provide in-depth analyses, data, and conclusions derived from research activities, contributing significantly to the scholarly discourse within specific fields.
For instance, users can employ NavigatorSearch to narrow down results specifically to research reports by utilizing the available limiters on the left-hand side of the results screen. By applying filters or limiters, researchers can streamline their search and focus solely on relevant research reports related to their area of interest or inquiry.
Source types
Social media
Social media platforms and other Web 2.0 applications have evolved into significant mediums for experts, governments, and academics to share new information and analysis beyond conventional publishing channels. These platforms offer a myriad of benefits, serving as effective tools for disseminating information and research findings, tracking trending topics and expert insights, and facilitating vibrant exchanges of ideas.
In addition to their role in sharing information and insights, social media platforms serve as dynamic hubs where individuals can engage with a diverse range of content, interact with experts in various fields, and participate in discussions on emerging issues. Moreover, these platforms enable users to stay updated on the latest developments in their areas of interest, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among researchers and professionals.
For a comprehensive exploration of Web 2.0 grey literature sources, researchers can refer to the Grey Literature: Grey 2.0 Guide from New York University. This resource provides valuable insights and guidance on leveraging social media and other Web 2.0 platforms to access a wealth of grey literature, enhancing research endeavors and scholarly pursuits.
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