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What is grey literature?

1) Documents issued by governmental agencies, academic institutions, and other groups
2) Documents that include papers, reports, technical notes, newsletters, working papers, theses, government documents, bulletins, fact sheets, conference proceedings, and other documents
3) Documents that are distributed and indexed by commercial publishers
4) Documents that are not related to academic research

User Rafik
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2 Answers

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Final answer:

Grey literature includes a variety of documents, such as technical reports and government documents, which are not published by commercial presses and may not be peer-reviewed, but provide updated information and data from credible sources.

Step-by-step explanation:

Grey literature refers to a range of document types produced by governmental and academic entities, corporations, and other organizations that are not controlled by commercial publishing interests and that do not go through the traditional peer-review process. This type of literature encompasses technical reports, working papers, government documents, white papers, theses, and conference proceedings, among other forms. While grey literature may not always undergo peer review, it can still be an important source of up-to-date information and research that might not yet be published in academic journals. It often includes valuable data and insights from governmental agencies, professional practices, or academic institutions.

Information and reports from governmental organizations can offer in-depth analysis on a wide range of topics, making them important grey literature resources. For instance, materials from the United Nations or the World Health Organization provide key findings and data relevant to their respective fields of expertise. Similarly, academic institutions often make the output of their researchers available through institutional repositories, adding to the grey literature accessible for study and reference.

Non-peer-reviewed materials, such as longer articles and reports from major newspapers and magazines, along with nonacademic books written by credentialed authors, are crucial supplementary materials that support grey literature. These works provide contextual information and a broad perspective on issues of current interest within the academic and professional communities.

User Schnaader
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4 votes

Final answer:

Grey literature encompasses a range of documents like government reports, white papers, and conference proceedings that aren't controlled by commercial publishers.

Step-by-step explanation:

Grey literature is a term that refers to a variety of documents not controlled by commercial publishing organizations. This includes a wide array of materials such as government documents, white papers, reports from government and international agencies, working papers, technical notes, theses, and conference proceedings.

These materials can provide valuable insights and are often produced by authoritative sources like the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. government.

Traditionally, grey literature has been difficult to locate and acquire because it is not disseminated through typical academic or commercial publishing routes. It, however, holds an important place in academic research and policy-making due to its timely and often specialized nature.

For instance, researchers may rely on policy reports or preliminary research findings that have yet to be published in peer-reviewed academic publications. Similarly, government documents and technical reports can serve as primary sources of information on a wide array of topics, providing details and data not available in other publications.

Grey literature is invaluable for gaining a comprehensive understanding of a subject area, especially in fields where information evolves quickly and may not yet be reflected in peer-reviewed academic publications.

It's also essential in areas of study where commercial interests may not support the dissemination of all relevant information. Respectively, these materials are highly regarded for their contribution to the breadth and depth of scholarly and policy-related research.

User Jeshurun
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