How to write a research gap for a literature review?
Tagged: Literature Review Writing
The primary objective of conducting a literature review in dissertation is identifying and articulating any inadequacies or unaddressed areas in the existing body of literature. These inadequacies are known as research gaps. They help establish the rationale and purpose and emphasise the contribution of the research.
To know about how to write a literature review for dissertation, check our study guide.
In addition, research gaps assist researchers in understanding the existing body of knowledge and identifying areas where additional research is required. Here is a step-by-step guide on writing a research gap:
- Review available literature: The first step for identifying a research gap is to conduct a comprehensive review of relevant academic papers, journals and other scholarly sources to acquaint yourself with the current state of knowledge in the field of research you are conducting. Identify the main themes, theories, evidence, and hypotheses discussed in the previous research.
- Identify inconsistencies from previous studies: Consider any conflicting findings or contradictory outcomes in the current literature when completing the review. These contradictions and inconsistencies point to areas that require additional investigation to address.
- Identify unanswered questions: While looking for inconsistencies and contradictions, identify questions not answered in the previous research. There may also be some aspects that have been mentioned but not addressed or emerging topics that necessitate research.
- New developments or advancements can give rise to literature gaps: Investigate whether the available literature appropriately covers recent discoveries, innovations, or advancements in your field of study. New technology, theories, or approaches can frequently result in research gaps that must be addressed.
- Identify limitations from research methodology: Analyse the methodology employed in previous research. Identify any shortcomings in the methodology which could influence the results and conclusions. Consider whether alternate methodologies or approaches could provide a broader understanding of the research topic.
- Gaps in real-world applications: Assess the practical implications of the research findings. Sometimes, the research findings may not be applicable to address real-world problems and give rise to practical gaps. Consider the viewpoints of policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders.
- Specify the gap: Specify the gap or shortcomings in the literature that your research attempts to remedy based on your analysis. This can involve identifying unanswered research questions, inconsistencies, methodologies or neglected areas within the topic. The gap should be specific, significant, and justifiable for a dissertation literature review.
- Provide supporting evidence: The supporting evidence strengthens the statement of the research gap. Provide reference to relevant studies that highlight inconsistencies from previous literature. This brings credibility to the gap and helps to illustrate that it is not based on subjective observation.
- Justify the importance of the research gap: Explain the significance and relevance of addressing the research gap that has been identified. Elaborate on how addressing the research gap helps to advance knowledge in the field, answer practical difficulties or contribute significantly to theory, policy or practice. Consider the potential benefits and consequences of addressing the gap.
- Frame the research question from the research gap: The research question can be formulated based on the research question that has been identified. Make sure that the research question framed correlates to the research gap and highlights the specific aspect of your research that you want to investigate or explore.
A well-defined research gap serves as a strong foundation for your literature review and also for a literature based dissertation project. It demonstrates your understanding of the existing literature and highlights the originality and significance of your study. Identifying research gaps requires a comprehensive review of the available literature and an in-depth understanding of your research topic. It is also beneficial to consult with experts or colleagues to validate your identified research gaps. Also, refer to some literature review sample to get guidance on identifying a research gap.
Check our literature review examples to have a look at the different types of literature reviews we have carried
