Evaluate
How to evaluate grey literature
Grey literature can be difficult to find and to evaluate. It does not usually have the same quality checking as peer-reviewed material, so careful evaluation of the source, the author, and the contents is recommended.
One available evaluation tool is the AACODS checklist, which provides guidance when dealing with diverse formats of grey literature. The checklist can be used for any discipline area and prioritises expert opinion and expertise over source format.
Authority - Accuracy - Coverage - Objectivity - Date - Significance (AACODS)
- AACODS checklistJess Tyndall, Flinders University, 2010. Guidance on how to evaluate and critically appraise grey literature.
Critical appraisal of grey literature
If you are conducting a review or looking for evidence to support your clinical practice, select the appropriate critical appraisal tool to evaluate the information.
For example, if you have found a relevant unpublished trial through searching clinical trial registers, you should appraise this the same way you would a published trial.
- Critical AppraisalLinks and further information from the Library's Systematic Reviews Guide
Visit the Evidence Based Practice guide for more information:
Guidelines and standards
- Cochrane Handbook, part 2, chapter 4.6: Selecting studies
This section outlines the process of selecting studies for inclusion and applies to both published and grey literature
