Why we need to talk about silver literature

Anthony Haynes writes: I've long fought for a greater appreciation of forms of serious communication, other than just books and journal papers - forms such as reports, white papers, presentations, and blogs.

But it's difficult because the collective term for such forms is 'grey [or 'grey'] literature', which is a term likely to enthuse anyone.

'Grey' too easily evokes dullness and drabness.

So the term won't do. Instead, I propose 'silver literature' - a term that does more justice to the sense that such works are valuable. Silver literature constitutes a vault of huge value.

Why, even those users of research who continue to assert that peer-reviewed journal papers represent a 'gold standard' of scientific communication must surely acknowledge that.

Here, then, to mark our 50th episode is a proposal: speak not of grey lit, but of silver lit.

#silverlit

Further listening

If you enjoyed listening to this episode, you might find the following of interest:

• The games we play in science and research communication
• Welcome to The Grey Lit Café
• Another season over and what have we done?

References

Thomas Gray, 'Elegy written in a  country churchyard'

Credits

• Sound production: Bart Hallmark
• Music: from Handel's Water Music, courtesy of the United States Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra