Why an effective research gap is important for your PhD publication?

Many PhD students find it challenging how to pinpoint a research gap. You worry that there isn’t enough solid evidence or support for the gap. You hesitate to move forward due to concerns about effectiveness, feasibility, or potential risks. This insecurity is completely understandable – after all, it’s just the beginning of your research career. 

Yet, your PhD research won’t feel well-grounded without a clearly defined research gap. It will make your work more original and impactful – and help you contribute meaningfully to your field.

But here’s the tricky part…

How do you know your study isn’t just repeating what’s already known but instead advancing the conversation? Is your research gap aligned with the objectives of your thesis? 

Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.

In this blog, you’ll learn how to analyze different types of research gaps, identify them effectively, and articulate them clearly in your research thesis.

What is the Research Gap?

In existing research, every unsolved puzzle, unanswered question, or inconsistency is represented as a research gap. These gaps can often be found within well-explored subjects, highlighting areas that still require attention.

In qualitative research, the research gaps are non-numerical like theoretical gaps, perspective gaps, contextual gaps, methodological gaps, and practical gaps.

In quantitative research, the research gaps are data gaps, population gaps, evidence gaps, etc.

If you don’t know how to write your PhD thesis, this guide can help you.

Understand 8 Types of Research Gaps To Write Your Research Paper

To find the research gaps in research papers you should know different terms of research gaps.

Below, I’ve discussed 8 types of research gaps in literature reviews that can make your PhD research less challenging.

  1. Knowledge gap

In this case, more theories and studies are needed in a certain field because the desired knowledge doesn’t exist. It means there is a need to uncover missing knowledge. 

It leads to advancements in knowledge or concepts and encourages new applications. 

  1. Evidence gap

Evidence gap is like no confirmation or support regarding a specific study or research. Research shows conflicting or contradictory results from different studies. To cover this gap you have to find further validation through replication studies or more rigorous methodologies. 

  1.  Methodological gap

The methodological gap is the absence of suitable methods or processes in a particular research area. As technology has advanced, previous conclusions drawn from outdated research are now deemed invalid.

  1. Empirical gap

An empirical gap is the absence of direct studies and data to support a concept in different contexts. To cover this gap you have to conduct tests and experiments to find current realities.

  1. Practical Knowledge gap

It means studies are not valid when they are implemented in real life. In this case, you face challenges in applying research to industry or practice and there is an absence of case studies or field applications.

  1. Theoretical gap

All the underdeveloped theories fall into this category. The lack of theories on emerging topics is the main hint for a theoretical gap. 

For such gaps, you need to cover unexplored theories.

  1. Population Gap

A particular group, demographic, or community has not been adequately studied in existing research leading to a population gap in research papers. You’ll find studies ignoring other cultural or geographical contexts.

  1. Data Gap

Data gaps in research papers can occur due to lack of research, limited sample sizes, or poor data collection methods. Incomplete data affects the reliability of conclusions. You can calculate correct data through surveys and find accurate results to fill this gap.

How to write a CV that can help you to secure an MS or PhD position?

Step-by-step Guide To Effectively Identify Research Gaps

Identifying research gaps seems complicated and time taking but these steps can make your process easy and efficient.

  1. Conduct a Thorough Literature Review

Before identifying a research gap, you need to uncover what has already been studied and what remains unexplored. Literature review will help you in this step.

You can use academic databases like Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore to find relevant research. You have to study recent publications (last 3-5 years) to stay updated on the latest developments and identify key theories, methodologies, and findings in your area of study.

Using citation tracking to explore important studies is also helpful to find out specific information. 

  1. Analyze Review Papers and Meta-Analyses To Know Weak Points

Review papers and meta-analyses summarize the current state of research. It highlights areas that need proper attention for further exploration.

In review papers, you have to look at the “Future Research Directions” section, where authors write questions. Check different studies for Identify contradictions or inconsistencies which could indicate a need for further research.

  1. Identify Contradictions and Unresolved Questions

When different studies on the same topic show different results, it often signals a research gap that needs further investigation. Compare those results and identify areas where research has failed to reach the expected consequences.

  1. Examine The Kind Of Gap

Research gaps have different kinds and they depend on the way they contribute to the field. Check whether the research gap is theoretical, methodological, or empirical.

  1. Find Population and Contextual Gaps (Researchers often ignore)

Sometimes, research is too generalized. Find studies that focus only on a single demographic group and lack cultural or geographical diversity. Check if research findings are applicable to real-world settings.

  1. Use Research Gap Identification Tools

There are many AI tools, citation analysis, and academic databases that can make your process effective and quick. Tools like Connected Papers, Litmaps, Scite.ai, Semantic Scholar, Publish or Perish, etc can be beneficial for identifying research gaps.

  1. Attend Conferences and Engage with Experts To Know Latest Gaps

Attend research symposiums and listen to panel discussions to keep in touch with emerging issues and trendy topics. Networking with professors, industry experts, or PhD advisors also helps you to uncover gaps in your field. 

Study industry reports. They also highlight unresolved challenges that lack research and need attention.

  1. Write A Strong Research Gap Statement

After identifying the research gap, the main task is how to pen it down. Write it in a clear and precise way to justify your study.

First, introduce your topic. Then explain what’s missing and why this gap is important to address.

  1. Validate Your Research Gap

Before finalizing your research gap, discuss it with professors or research peers for feedback. Check latest research papers to make sure no one has talked about it. 

Through these steps, you can find out research gaps for your research papers in less time.

Identifying Research Gap Is No More Challenging!

When you have proper knowledge about types of research gaps and how to identify them, it will not bother you how to justify your research gap in your publication. This blog will help you to overcome one of the biggest challenges in writing a research paper.