The importance of incorporating grey literature evidence in occupational therapy scoping review search protocols

Scoping reviews are being completed by occupational therapists more frequently. Many occupational therapy scoping review search protocols only focus on white peer-reviewed literature accessible from online database searches. The original intent of scoping reviews was to also include searches of grey literature, but this source of evidence is frequently overlooked. This overview aims to discuss the advantages and challenges of grey literature and provide strategies for searching, accessing, and critically appraising it.

This overview discusses the advantages and challenges of grey literature and provides strategies for searching, accessing, and critically appraising it in the context of conducting a scoping review.

Searching for and sourcing grey literature can be challenging, time-consuming, costly, and labour-intensive. Determining the breadth and inclusivity of a grey literature search can also be daunting. However, there are several significant advantages to incorporating grey literature in an occupational therapy scoping review search protocol. This includes reducing the impact of positive-results publication bias, providing a balanced perspective on the available evidence, and offering more detailed information than journal literature, as grey literature reports are not restricted by publisher-enforced length limitations.

No consumer or community involvement occurred during the writing of this manuscript in part due to the nature of the article topic. Any terminology used in this manuscript also does not refer to any specific societal, community, or cultural groups.

Moving forwards, it is strongly recommended that occupational therapists undertaking a scoping review include both white and grey literature sources in their search protocols where appropriate. Doing so will enhance the breadth, depth, and rigour of occupational therapy scoping review outcomes.