# Grey literature

**Source**: https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature
**Parent**: https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/copyright/unsworks

- [Introduction](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/Introduction "Learn about grey literature and view key resources to find them across different subject areas.")
- [Humanities and Social sciences](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/social-science "Explore grey literature resources across disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.")
  - [Design, arts & media](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/arts "Resources to help you find grey literature in the design, arts and media fields. ")
  - [Built environment](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/built-environment "Resources to help you find grey literature in built environment fields.")
  - [Economics & business](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/business "Resources to help you find grey literature in economics and business fields.")
  - [Education](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/education "Resources to help you find grey literature in education fields.")
  - [International studies](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/international-studies "Resources to help you find grey literature in international studies fields.")
  - [Social sciences](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/social-sciences "Resources to help you find grey literature in social science fields. ")
- [STEM disciplines](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/stem "Explore grey literature resources across discipline areas in STEM.")
  - [Science](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/science "Resources to help you find grey literature in science fields.")
  - [Engineering](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/engineering "Resources to help you find grey literature in engineering fields.")
  - [Medicine & health](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/medicine-health "Resources to help you find grey literature in medicine & health fields.")
- [Support](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/support "Find helpful support available to you at UNSW.")

Sometimes you need to look for resources beyond the commercially published sphere of academic journal articles and books. This guide provides an introduction to searching for such 'grey literature', as well as sources in different discipline areas.

## What is grey literature?

Grey literature is generally described as material “*which is produced on all levels of government, academics, business and industry in print and electronic formats, but which is not controlled by commercial publishers*". (4th International Conference on Grey Literature, Washington DC, 1999)

The term 'grey literature' encompasses a wide range of information resource types. Below are some examples:

### Grey literature

- Government reports
- Clinical trials
- Standards
- Statistics
- Conference papers
- Maps
- Patents
- Policy documents
- Theses

### Traditional literature

- Journal articles
- Books
- News articles

## What is unique about grey literature?

Much grey literature is of high quality and can be an excellent source of up-to-date research in certain subject areas.

However, it can be a challenge to locate, and it should be noted that most grey literature is not subject to peer review and should be evaluated accordingly.

### It can provide unique insights

- Grey literature can provide more local information or alternative perspectives.
- It can be a useful source of evidence for [literature reviews](http://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/literature-reviews), helping to increase comprehensiveness and reduce bias.

### It can be more current

- Grey literature can provide more current information than formally published research literature.
- It can be especially helpful in emerging research areas.

### It can be difficult to find

- Locating grey literature may require looking in a range of sources.
- It is not necessarily searchable via the standard databases and search engines.

### It can vary in quality

- The reliability of the information provided in grey literature can vary.
- Always evaluate the information for potential bias or inaccuracies, and cross reference different sources.

## Where can I find grey literature?

Explore grey literature sources across different subject areas:

- [Humanities & social sciences](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/social-science)
- [STEM disciplines](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/stem)

You can also learn more about finding specific types of grey literature:

[Statistics & datasets](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/statistics-datasets) [Standards & patents](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/engineering/standards-patents)[Theses](https://www.library.unsw.edu.au/using-the-library/information-resources/theses) [Maps](https://www.library.unsw.edu.au/using-the-library/information-resources/maps)

### Historical grey literature

When seeking inaccessible grey literature such as older conference papers and government reports, you can explore archived websites using collections such as [TROVE website search](http://trove.nla.gov.au/search/advanced/category/websites) and the [Wayback machine](http://web.archive.org/)

## How do I evaluate grey literature?

- [The AACODS checklist](https://fac.flinders.edu.au/dspace/api/core/bitstreams/e94a96eb-0334-4300-8880-c836d4d9a676/content)

  Provides five criteria for judging the quality of grey information.
- [Evaluating resources](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/elise/evaluating)

  Simple criteria to evaluate resources in general.

## Looking for more help with searching?

For quick help, you can get in touch via [Library chat](https://unswlibrary.libanswers.com/)

Or visit us at the Library [Help Zone](https://www.library.unsw.edu.au/contact-us)

UNSW staff, postgraduate and honours students can book an in-depth [Research consultation](https://www.library.unsw.edu.au/research/research-consultation-service)

- [**Next** >>](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/grey-literature/social-science)