Grey literature
(Redirected from Gray literature)
Grey literature refers to a body of materials that cannot be found easily through conventional publishing and distribution channels because these materials are not published commercially or indexed by major databases. Grey literature can include a wide range of types of documents, including, but not limited to, reports, theses, conference proceedings, technical specifications and standards, government documents, white papers, and patents. These documents are often produced by government agencies, academic institutions, businesses, and industry, and can be pivotal sources of information for research and decision-making in various fields.
Definition and Characteristics[edit | edit source]
The term "grey literature" is somewhat nebulous, reflecting the diversity and unconventional nature of these materials. One common characteristic of grey literature is that it is often more difficult to locate and access than literature published through traditional channels. This is because grey literature is not typically subject to the same level of distribution, indexing, or peer review as commercial publications. Despite these challenges, grey literature is highly valued for its role in disseminating original research, detailed technical information, policy discussions, and other valuable data that may not be available elsewhere.
Importance of Grey Literature[edit | edit source]
Grey literature is considered crucial across many disciplines for several reasons:
- It often contains up-to-date research findings and data that have not yet been published in peer-reviewed journals.
- It provides access to a broader range of information and perspectives, including detailed technical reports and policy documents that are not available through conventional publishing.
- It supports comprehensive literature reviews and evidence synthesis in academic research, policy-making, and professional practice by including diverse sources of information.
Challenges and Solutions[edit | edit source]
Accessing and using grey literature presents unique challenges. These include difficulties in locating documents, assessing their quality and relevance, and dealing with the lack of standardization in format and peer review. To address these challenges, researchers and professionals:
- Utilize specialized databases and search engines dedicated to indexing grey literature.
- Apply critical appraisal skills to assess the quality and reliability of grey literature sources.
- Rely on networks and professional contacts to discover relevant grey literature.
Future Directions[edit | edit source]
The digital age is transforming grey literature, making it more accessible and easier to disseminate. Digital repositories, open access initiatives, and the increasing online presence of organizations producing grey literature are enhancing its visibility and impact. However, issues related to digital preservation, access, and the evaluation of grey literature's quality remain areas for ongoing development.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Grey literature Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD