Gray literature is research that is either unpublished or has been published in noncommercial forms.
Examples of gray literature include:
- Government reports
- Conference proceedings
- Geological and geophysical surveys
- Newsletters and bulletins
Advantages of Gray Literature
- Timeliness: Results of studies may appear in gray literature 12 to 18 months before being published via traditional channels.
- Flexibility: Rather than waiting years for the publication of a revised edition, authors, editors, and web content creators can update information when needed.
- Accessibility: There is a great abundance of gray literature that is freely available, either in print or on the web.