Higher Education (MAHE)

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Grey literature in Higher Education refers to research materials not formally published through academic or commercial channels, but still valuable for research, policy, and practice.

Produced by universities, governments, think tanks, and organizations, these sources may lack peer review but offer timely, practical insights often unavailable in scholarly publications.

1. Reports and Policy Papers

• White papers from educational think tanks (e.g., Brookings, Lumina Foundation, etc.)
• Government-commissioned reports (e.g., GAO or UNESCO education studies)

• Task force or committee reports on higher education reform, diversity, or access

2. Institutional Documents

• Internal institutional research reports

• Strategic plans and mission statements

• Self-studies for accreditation

• Budget and finance reports

• Enrollment and retention reports

3. Conference Materials

• Conference proceedings or presentations (e.g., from ASHE or AERA)

• Workshop summaries

4. Working Papers

• Early-stage research distributed before peer-reviewed publication

• Often found on university websites or platforms like SSRN or arXiv

5. Dissertations and Theses

• Particularly useful for accessing recent or underexplored research topics

• Found in university repositories or databases like ProQuest

6. Newsletters, Briefs, and Bulletins

• From professional organizations (e.g., AAC&U, NASPA, ACE)

• Often highlight emerging trends or summaries of new research

7. Web Content and Blogs

• Expert commentary or institutional announcements on higher education policy

• Blogs from scholars or associations (though their credibility varies)

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In the study of Higher Education, primary sources are original materials that provide direct evidence or firsthand accounts related to colleges, universities, and postsecondary systems. These sources have not been interpreted or analyzed by others, and they are created at the time of the events or phenomena being studied.

Examples of Primary Sources in Higher Education:

1. Institutional Records and Archives

• University charters, founding documents

• Meeting minutes of governing boards (e.g., Board of Trustees)

• Strategic plans, accreditation reports

• Internal memos and correspondence

• Annual reports and financial statements

2. Official Government Documents

• Legislation affecting higher education (e.g., the Morrill Acts, Higher Education Act)

• Policy papers from the Department of Education

• Census or IPEDS data (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System)

• Supreme Court decisions (e.g., Brown v. Board of Education, Fisher v. University of Texas)

3. Publications by Institutions or Individuals

• Speeches by university leaders (e.g., presidents, chancellors)

• Faculty and student publications (e.g., campus newspapers, academic journals)

• Alumni newsletters

• Course catalogs and syllabi

4. Data and Research Outputs

• Institutional research data (e.g., retention and graduation rates)

• Survey results (e.g., NSSE - National Survey of Student Engagement)

5. Personal Narratives and Accounts

• Autobiographies or memoirs of educators, students, or administrators

• Oral histories

• Interviews with stakeholders (students, faculty, staff, alumni)

6. Multimedia

• Audio/video recordings of lectures, debates, or protests

• Photographs of campuses or historical events

• Documentary footage