Research Gap 101: What Is A Research Gap & How To Find One (With Examples)

Summary

This video script delves into the concept of research gaps, crucial for dissertations and research projects. It defines research gaps as unanswered questions or conflicting findings in a field, and outlines four common types: classic literature, disagreement, contextual, and methodological gaps. The script offers strategies for identifying these gaps through literature reviews and recent articles, emphasizing the importance of focusing on current research to avoid redundancy.

Takeaways

• 🔍 A research gap is an unanswered question or unresolved problem in a field, indicating a lack of existing research or conflicting study findings.
• 📚 The script introduces four common types of research gaps: classic literature gap, disagreement gap, contextual gap, and methodological gap.
• 🚀 The classic literature gap arises with new concepts or phenomena that have not been extensively studied, offering fresh research opportunities but requiring reliance on adjacent literature.
• 🤔 The disagreement gap is identified when existing research presents contrasting findings on a specific question, necessitating a balanced set of opposing results for further investigation.
• 🌐 The contextual gap points to a lack of research in specific contexts, such as certain populations, geographic areas, or time periods, allowing for research within a solid literature foundation.
• 🔬 The methodological gap emerges from the limitations or missing perspectives in the research methodology or design of existing studies, suggesting the need for a different approach.
• 📘 To find research gaps, the script recommends reviewing literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and recent journal articles, focusing on sections that suggest further research opportunities.
• 🔑 Dissertation databases like ProQuest, EBSCO, and Open Access are valuable resources for identifying current research gaps through recent dissertations and theses.
• ⏳ It's crucial to focus on recent resources, ideally from the last one to two years, to ensure that potential gaps have not already been addressed by other researchers.
• 📝 The limitations section of studies can provide ideas for methodology-based research gaps, offering a starting point for identifying areas needing further exploration.
• 👍 The video encourages viewers to engage with the content by liking and subscribing for more research tips and advice, and offers resources like dissertation templates and coaching services.

Q & A

What is a research gap?

A research gap is an unanswered question or unresolved problem in a field, reflecting a lack of existing research in that area, or existing research with conflicting findings making it difficult to draw firm conclusions.

Why are research gaps important in academic research?

Research gaps are important because they identify areas where more investigation is needed, allowing researchers to contribute new knowledge and insights to the field.

What are the four most common types of research gaps mentioned in the script?

The four most common types of research gaps are the classic literature gap, the disagreement gap, the contextual gap, and the methodological gap.

What is a classic literature gap?

A classic literature gap emerges when there is a new concept or phenomenon that has not been studied much or at all, presenting an opportunity for new research.

What is a disagreement gap and how is it identified?

A disagreement gap occurs when there are contrasting or contradictory findings in existing research regarding a specific question. It is identified when there is a relatively balanced set of opposing findings in the literature.

Can you explain the contextual gap in research?

A contextual gap exists when there is a lack of research in specific contexts, such as a certain population, geographic area, or time period, despite a decent body of existing research on the topic.

What is a methodological gap and why might it be significant?

A methodological gap emerges due to limitations in the research methodology or design of existing studies. It is significant because it suggests that a different approach or perspective could provide additional insights.

How can one find potential research gaps in their area of interest?

Potential research gaps can be found by reviewing literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, recent journal articles, and dissertations or theses, focusing on sections that discuss further research opportunities or needed.

Why is it important to look at recent resources when searching for research gaps?

It is important to look at recent resources to ensure that the identified gaps have not already been addressed by other researchers, thus maintaining the relevance and originality of the research.

What is the role of adjacent literature when exploring a classic literature gap?

Adjacent literature from related fields is used to build the literature review when exploring a classic literature gap, as there may not be many existing studies directly related to the new topic.

How can the limitations section of studies help in identifying research gaps?

The limitations section often highlights areas where existing studies fall short, which can spur ideas for methodology-based research gaps and suggest directions for further research.