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 Support the show About the publisher This episode is published by Frontinus Ltd. We're a communications consultancy that helps organisations and individuals to communicate scientific, professional, and technical content to non-specialist audiences. We provide consultancy mentoring editing and writing training and work on presentations, bids and proposals, and publications (for example, reports and papers). To learn more about services or explore ways of working together, please contact us via our website, http://frontinus.org.uk/.