What are the Different Types of Research Gaps in the Literature Review?

Research Gaps in Literature Review: A Master’s Student’s Guide

Literature review writing plays an extremely significant role in the process of master’s dissertation writing. In addition to reviewing previous literature, this stage allows you to detect unanswered questions, controversial results, and issues that need additional exploration. Such unknown aspects are called Research Gaps in Literature Review, which are helpful for developing a unique research project [1].

The issue of how to understand whether the selected topic brings any novelty remains a challenging task for many master’s degree students. Knowing various types of research gaps will allow you to prove the significance of your research goals and create research questions.

In this article, we will provide an overview of What is Research Gap, discuss the key types of research gaps, and give you some examples to assist in finding the right research opportunities.

What is a Research Gap?

The term ‘Research Gap’ is used for areas where the existing body of knowledge consists of information, which is incomplete, outdated, contradictory, and inadequate.

Master’s level students should not feel that their search for a research gap implies coming up with a novel topic to research on. Rather, they should look for areas where there is scope for exploring something like:

• A different population
• The application of the same theory in a different context
• Another research methodology
• The use of newer data to update past findings
• Clarification of any contradictions found in other research studies

Thus, the proper identification of the research gap will lend greater strength to the justification of your dissertation [2].

Signs You Have Found a Research Gap

• Limited research regarding a particular topic
• Contradicting results among various studies
• Stale information
• Under-represented samples
• Emerging technologies that have not been researched yet
• Suggested topics for future research in articles

Common Types of Research Gaps in Literature Review

The table below summarizes the major types of research gaps commonly identified in master’s research.

Theoretical Gap in Research

The gap in research theory arises when the existing theories cannot explain new occurrences or when the existing theoretical framework has not yet been tested in the specific setting [3].

It is common for master’s level students to discover theoretical gaps based on whether existing theories still apply to contemporary technologies, industries, or populations.

Thus, there is a theoretical gap that can be investigated in further studies.

How to Identify a Theoretical Gap

• Analyze the theories that are often used in your discipline.
• Consider their weaknesses.
• Highlight any situations to which these theories have not yet been applied.
• Argue for the need for a different theory.

Empirical Gap in Research

Empirical Research Gap refers to insufficient, conflicting, or unavailability of evidence on an issue under study.

It is one of the most prevalent research gaps found in master’s dissertations, since there are different results in different countries or different industries or among different people.

Example

Researchers exploring the productivity of employees when telecommuting have reached different conclusions.

• In some cases, the productivity of workers increases.
• However, in other cases, it has been found that the performance of employees decreases.

This problem can be researched by a graduate student working on their master’s thesis.

Indicators of an Empirical Gap

• Inconsistencies in research findings
• Small sample sizes
• Narrow geographical range
• No up-to-date research
• Insufficient industry specific research

Methodological Gap in Research

Methodological Gap in Research is identified when the researchers who came before them have made use of only one research methodology, thus making room for researching the same topic with another methodology.

The master’s level students can identify methodological gaps through their study of methodologies [4].

Example

Assuming that earlier studies about customer satisfaction have been based mostly on the use of questionnaires through the Internet.

There is scope for the following methods to be used in a master’s thesis:

• Questionnaire
• Semi-structured Interview
• Focus Group Discussion

Common Methodological Improvements

How Master’s Students Can Identify Research Gaps

Identifying research gaps is much easier when following the methodology of a literature review.

Step 1: Look at Recent Literature

It is important to consider working from the last five to seven years to learn about present developments.

Step 2: Search for Contradictions

Find contradictions or inconsistencies among different papers.

Step 3: Identify Limitations

Almost all articles that are published in journals have the “Limitations” section in which authors state which areas need more research.

Step 4: Read Future Research Directions

Usually, researchers suggest the following:

• Different population groups
• Different methods
• Different variables
• Different theories

These ideas become good topics for research for masters [3].

Step 5: Verify Your Gap

To finalize your dissertation, it is necessary to verify whether your gap is:

• Presenting an important problem
• Having enough literature
• Feasible for your masters
• Fitting with your research objectives

Practical Example of Identifying Research Gaps

Suppose your dissertation topic is:

“The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Student Learning.”

After reviewing the literature, you identify:

 These observations help you justify your research and develop clear research objectives.

Best Practices for Writing About Research Gaps

In identifying the Research Gaps in Literature Review, make sure that you:

• Support each gap using evidence from existing literature.
• Do not say “there is no literature on” something unless it has been confirmed.
• State why this gap is significant to academia.
• Leverage the gap to connect it with your research objectives.
• Provide contemporary and credible sources.
• Distinguish theoretical, empirical, and methodological gaps.

A good literature review shows critical thinking beyond mere summarization of the literature [4].

Why Select Tutors India?

In Tutors India, we offer professional assistance for students pursuing a master’s degree by assisting them with writing an excellent literature review, finding the research gap, and preparing an excellent dissertation. We have subject matter experts who can offer customized help at your convenience and at the university level. Visit us to see our price list and select the one that suits you best.

Conclusion

Research Gap in Literature Review will assist master’s students in creating good proposals for dissertations and conducting valuable academic research. Whichever type of research gap is recognized in literature review – theoretical, empirical, or methodological research gap, every type of gap will be useful in setting up research questions and research methods.

A systematic review of the published articles and the identification of gaps in literature is useful in creating dissertations and research that are academically significant. Our experienced subject specialists provide personalized support at every stage of your research journey. Book a free consultation today to discuss your dissertation requirements and confidently move forward with your master’s research.

Frequently asked questions:

1. What are the 7 types of gaps in research?

The seven common types of research gaps include theoretical gaps, empirical gaps, methodological gaps, knowledge gaps, population gaps, evidence gaps, and practical gaps. Identifying these gaps helps researchers find meaningful opportunities for further investigation and contribute new knowledge to their field.

2. What are the 8 gaps in research?

The eight commonly recognized research gaps are theoretical, empirical, methodological, knowledge, population, evidence, contextual, and practical gaps. Each type highlights an area where existing research is incomplete, inconsistent, or requires further exploration.

3. What are the different types of gaps?

Different types of research gaps include theoretical, empirical, methodological, knowledge, evidence, population, contextual, and practical gaps. These gaps help researchers identify unanswered questions, improve existing studies, and develop focused research objectives.

4. What are the 5 C’s of literature review?

The 5 C’s of literature review are Cite, Compare, Contrast, Critique, and Connect. These principles help researchers evaluate existing studies, identify relationships between findings, and establish the need for further research.

5. What are the 4 types of research gaps?

The four major types of research gaps are theoretical gaps, empirical gaps, methodological gaps, and knowledge gaps. Understanding these gaps enables researchers to justify their study by addressing limitations or unexplored areas in the existing literature.

6. Can ChatGPT identify research gaps?

Yes, ChatGPT can assist in identifying potential research gaps by summarizing literature, comparing study findings, highlighting inconsistencies, and suggesting unexplored areas. However, researchers should validate these suggestions by reviewing recent, credible academic sources before finalizing their research topic.

References:

1. Miles, D. A. (2017, August). A taxonomy of research gaps: Identifying and defining the seven research gaps. In Doctoral student workshop: finding research gaps-research methods and strategies, Dallas, Texas(Vol. 1, pp. 1-10). https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sanusi-Sani-Maimagani/post/What-is-a-research-gap-or-knowledge-gap-in-research-and-literature-Is-gap-explored-or-constructed-pdf
2. Baako, I., Alhassan, H., & Gidisu, P. (2022). Understanding and spotting research gaps through a systematic literature review. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 6(3), 549-554. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/90362469/Understanding_and_spotting_research_gaps-libre.pdf?1661677691=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DUnderstanding_and_spotting_research_gaps.pdf&Expires
3. Müller-Bloch, C., & Kranz, J. (2015). A framework for rigorously identifying research gaps in qualitative literature reviews. https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2015/proceedings/ResearchMethods/2/
4. Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of business research, 104, 333-339. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296319304564