Is grey literature peer-reviewed?

No, grey literature is typically not peer-reviewed. While it may undergo internal review by an issuing organization or government agency, it does not go through the formal blind review process required by academic journals.

Can I cite grey literature in a college essay?

Yes, you can cite grey literature, especially when you need the most recent data, government statistics, or specialized technical reports. However, you must evaluate the publishing organization's credibility more strictly than a journal article.

Where do I find grey literature?

Common sources include government databases like Science.gov, organizational websites like the WHO or World Bank, institutional repositories, and specialized search engines like Google Scholar or OpenGrey.

What is Grey Literature in Research?

Explainer4 min·Updated May 2024

Definition of Grey Literature

Grey literature refers to research and information produced by organizations outside of traditional commercial or academic publishing channels. This includes reports, working papers, government documents, and conference proceedings that are not controlled by commercial publishers. It is often the most current source of specialized data but lacks formal peer review.

Grey Literature vs. White Literature

To understand grey literature, it helps to compare it to "white literature," which includes the standard peer-reviewed books and journals found in library databases.

Comparison Table

Common Types of Grey Literature

Grey literature is diverse and appears in many formats depending on the field of study. In the sciences, it often takes the form of technical reports or pre-prints. In the social sciences, it frequently appears as policy briefs or census data. Common examples include:

Government reports and census data
Policy briefs from think tanks (e.g., Brookings Institution)
Working papers and pre-prints
Dissertations and theses
Conference abstracts and proceedings
Technical specifications and standards
Newsletters and bulletins from professional organizations

Example: Applying Grey Literature to an Essay

Example

If you are writing an essay on **Renewable Energy Policy**, you might use both source types differently:

**White Literature (Scholarly Journal):**
* *Source:* An article in the *Journal of Environmental Economics*.
* *Usage:* To provide a peer-reviewed theoretical framework on how carbon taxes affect market behavior over a decade.

**Grey Literature (Government Report):**
* *Source:* The 2024 Annual Energy Outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
* *Usage:* To provide the exact, most recent statistics on solar panel installations from the last six months.

When to Use Grey Literature

Use grey literature when you need the most recent data available or information on a very niche topic that hasn't been covered by academic journals yet. It is essential for systematic reviews to reduce publication bias. Always verify the author's credentials and the reputation of the issuing organization before citing it as a factual source.

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