Grey literature are materials and research produced by organisations outside of traditional commercial or academic publishing and distribution channels. Grey literature publication types include reports, working papers, government documents, white papers and evaluations.
As grey literature includes a range of information types you may need to explore different sources to find what you need. This may involve searching Library databases, using search engines such as Google or browsing government or organisation websites.
If using Google to find grey literature, we recommend searching via Google advanced search rather than the standard Google search box or Google Scholar. A search strategy needs to be robust, so that it has credibility and can be replicated by others. As a result, Google advanced is the best option out of the Google services. See our Google Like a Pro and Google Advanced Search Commands help sheets for further tips and advice on searching Google effectively.
Grey Literature Databases
- Overton
Large collection of policy documents, parliamentary transcripts, government guidance and think tank research. Searches can be restricted to policy from specific regions, countries or source types. Filters also allow you to view policy that cites research from a particular university, think tank, or academic.
- Policy Commons: Global Think TanksGlobal Think Tanks is a collection of objective, fact-based research from the world’s leading policy experts, think tanks, IGOs and NGOs. It provides in-depth search and access to some 5 million reports from over 25,000 organisations.
- Public Health England Grey Literature: index and alternative sources and resourcesThis list has been compiled to help librarians and researchers, particularly in Public Health, to find resources that fall into this category and flag up alternative sources for queries not easily resolved by the clinical / medical database model.
Health Organisations
- Joseph Rowntree FoundationA charitable organisation which commissions research into social issues. They are of particular interest to the Medical Sciences in thier work around aging and the effects of social agendas on health.
- The King's FundAn independent charity working to improve health and care in England.
- Public Health EnglandAn executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, and a distinct organisation with operational autonomy. They provide government, local government, the NHS, Parliament, industry and the public with evidence-based professional, scientific expertise and support.
- Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)An independent charity which aims to improve the lives of people of all ages by co-producing, sharing, and supporting the use of the best available knowledge and evidence about what works in practice.
- WHO Library and Information Networks for KnowledgeA searchable database of all the projects, reports and papers publisheed by the WHO. Many give access to the full text.
- Public Health England Grey Literature index and sourcesThis list has been compiled to help librarians and researchers, particularly in Public Health, to find resources that fall into this category and flag up alternative sources for queries not easily resolved by the clinical / medical database model.