10 Tips to Find and Address Research Gaps

Identifying areas requiring in-depth investigation can be difficult in academic research, as researchers will normally encounter challenges when trying to identify research gaps and draft proposals or projects. Undertaking impactful research requires systematic observation, application of suitable techniques, collection of information, and clear articulation.

The following are ten important tips to discover research gaps and conduct impactful research:

Tip 1: Conduct a Thorough Literature Review.

Before starting a literature review, be clear on your methods and the steps required for conducting your literature review. One can employ many methods to review the literature, including (1) Narrative Literature Review; (2) Systematic Literature Review; (3) Meta-analysis; (4) Meta Synthesis; (5) Scoping Review; (6) Rapid Review; (7) Integrative Review; (8) Critical Review; (9) Conceptual Review; (10) Historical Review; (11) Theoretical Review; and (12) Umbrella Review. 

To gain a better understanding, familiarize yourself with the goals and applications of each of these review techniques. Having reached that stage, proceed as follows:

(i) Begin by exploring the existing literature relevant to your research topic; (ii) Identify patterns, recurring themes, and areas where the existing literature is lacking in depth or consensus.

Tip 2: Examine Controversial or Conflicting Findings. Proceed along the following steps to examine controversial findings. These include, (i) Identify studies or areas within the literature subject to disagreement or affected by conflicting evidence. (ii) Such conditions can indicate potential gaps or areas where further research is needed to clarify or resolve any discrepancies.

Stay updated on the latest advancements, technologies, or emerging fields related to your research topic.

Tip 3: Consider Emerging Trends and Technologies. When focusing on recent developments and technologies, ensure to (i) Stay updated on the latest advancements, technologies, or emerging fields related to your research topic; and (ii) Examine the possibility of new opportunities for research or areas where existing knowledge is yet to be fully explored.

Tip 4: Adopt Interdisciplinary Approaches. Consider how knowledge from other disciplines could contribute to and enhance your research area. Be aware that interdisciplinary perspectives can lead to novel research questions and methodlogical approaches.

Tip 5a: Engage with Experts and Peers. As a novice attempring to analyze a problem, your ideas may benefit from further refinement. Therefore, seek to deepen your understanding of the issues at hand by considering input from others.  Engage with experts and peers by attending conferences, seminars, and workshops relevant to your field. Merely attending is not sufficient; instead, engage in discussions with experts and peers to gain insights into current research challenges and areas needing further exploration.

Engage with experts and peers by attending conferences, seminars, and workshops relevant to your field.

Tip 5b: Consult with Practitioners or Stakeholders. If your research area requires practical considerations relevant to society, engage with survey practitioners and stakeholders for consultation. They could offer valuable first-hand knowledge of practical issues or unresolved queries that could inform your research.

Tip 6: Use Research Databases and Repositories. Explore specialized databases and repositories that focus on specific topics or disciplines. These resources might enable unconventional research that could spotlight neglected areas.

Tip 7: Examine Policy and Practice Implications. Check how research findings are implemented in real-world settings and identify gaps where the translation of research into practice is challenging or where policies may need further refinement.

Tip 8: Seek Unanswered "So What?" Questions. Evaluate the significance and practical implications of existing research by asking, "What broader implications or impact does this research have, and which unanswered questions remain?"

Is there an aspect of the topic that particularly fascinates you or a question you've always pondered?

Tip 9: Reflect on Your Personal Interests and Expertise. Think about your own interests, expertise, and experiences. Is there an aspect of the topic that particularly fascinates you or a question you've always pondered? Your curiosity can be a valuable guide.

Tip 10: Organize and Articulate the Identified Gap. Finally, organize any clearly identified gaps under suitable headings. These may include: Empirical, Methodological, Conceptual, Theoretical, Geographical or Contextual, Temporal, Population or Sample, Ethical or Moral, Intervention or Policy, Practical Implementation, Interdisciplinary, Cross-Sectoral, Communication or Dissemination, Resource or Infrastructure, and Sustainability and Long-Term Impact.

Identifying and addressing different types of research gaps is essential for advancing knowledge, solving real-world  problems, and making meaningful contributions to a particular field of study. Researchers should be attentive to these gaps so as to design studies that address critical and unexplored aspects of their chosen research area.

Dr. Arup Barman is Professor and Head of the Department of Business Administration at Assam University in Silchar (India).