This is a 'living guide' for students and researchers. We rely on you for updates! Resources are added via expert opinions, social networks and personal reccomendations.
Please contact facultylibrarians@lancaster.ac.uk.
This guide is to inform students and researchers on how to systematically search 'Grey Literature' (As opposed to Journals and Databases), especially if they are producing a Qualitative Systematic Review or Scoping Review. Many systematic review protocols recommend searching Grey Literature, although only 42.8% of reviews do so. (Giang, H.T.N. et al. 2019)
This guide assumes you have knowledge of what Grey Literature is, and if you are unsure please review the Student Portal - Using Grey Literature and Conferences page.
| Type | Currency | Quality |
| Blog | High | Variable |
| Guidelines and Policies | Low | High if based on good quality evidence from reputable sources |
| Conference Proceedings | High | High if based on current research |
| Podcasts | High | Variable |
| Social Media | High | Variable |
| Report | Variable |
It can be high, but check the source. Possible bias from industry-led/single-issue organisations |
| White Papers | Variable | High, if recent but can be politically driven so may be biased. |
| Name | Help Pages | Subject | Content | Reach | Geo Filters |
| Overton.io | Multidisciplinary | Policy, White Papers, Blogs | Worldwide | Yes. Comprehensive options | |
| TRIP Pro | Health | Worldwide | Limited, use LMIC sensitive/specific | ||
| Policy Commons | Multidisciplinary | Worldwide | |||
| ERIC | Education | Policy, Reports, Meetings. | Worldwide (but with an American focus) | Yes, But Limited | |
| Community Care Inform | Social Care | Legislation, Expert Articles, Guidelines | UK | ||
| LGBTQ+ Source | Yes | LGBTQ+ | Magazines and regional newspapers, plus full text for 150 monographs/books. | Worldwide |
|
| GlobalData Explorer | Social Media Analytics | Login, click on databases then social media analytics. | Worldwide |
Subject: Is the resource focused in a single subject, or multiple?
Content: What does it contain?
Reach: Is it worldwide or focused on a specific country?
Geo Filters: Are you able to exclude results from specific geographical areas? (See Decolonising Grey Literature)