Types Of Research Gap- Find Out 5 Types Of Research Gaps And Choose One Suitable For Your Study
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Would you want to know the types of research gaps? The hardest thing for a new researcher is coming up with an interesting and unique subject to study in their field.
Some researchers are able to identify an interesting study problem, but many others require assistance in doing so.
The first and most important thing that needs to be done to start a research project is to come up with a new study problem.
So, in order to assist the scholars, “How to identify research gap” is the title of an article on iLovePhD. The piece also gives tips on how to find a research gap.
Research gaps are areas of information that have yet to be fully studied or still need to be dealt with in a certain field or topic.
To make progress in knowledge and ensure the importance and creativity of a PhD paper, it is important to identify these gaps and seek solutions to them.
As the name suggests, this blog posts about the different types of study gaps, what they mean, and how to successfully find and fill these gaps.
Now, let’s get started.
To put it simply, a research gap is a topic or area where the lack of knowledge makes it more difficult to conclude a certain inquiry.
But it shouldn’t be mistaken for a research question.
For instance, there are a plethora of studies and potential responses to the study issue of what the healthiest diet for humans is.
However, there isn’t a lot of information available if we were to look at the effects of antidepressants on expectant mothers.
Finding research gaps is a crucial stage in the research process because it allows investigators to hone their inquiries and concentrate their attention on areas that still require clarification or further knowledge.
1. Gaps in knowledge
These are areas of a subject where knowledge or comprehension gaps exist and where further study is required to close them.
For instance, the mechanics behind a certain illness or the operation of a certain technology may need to be better understood.
2. Conceptual errors
These are holes in the theoretical knowledge or conceptual framework of a subject.
For instance, further study can be required to comprehend how two concepts relate to one another or to improve a theoretical framework.
3. Gaps in methodology
These are weaknesses in the approaches taken while researching a certain topic.
For instance, further Research can be required to create brand-new research techniques or improve already-existing techniques in order to answer particular research topics better.
4. Missing data
These are holes in the knowledge base for a specific topic.
For instance, further study can be required to gather information on a certain demographic or to create new metrics for collecting information on a certain concept.
5. Useful voids
These need to be improved in terms of how research findings are applied to real-world scenarios. Further study may be necessary.
For instance, to determine the obstacles to implementing evidence-based methods or to comprehend how to use them in practical contexts.
Research gaps can also result from conflicting results, shifting patterns, and unsolved inquiries.
Research gaps may be conveniently categorised into the following categories.
1. Theoretical gap: Also referred to as a theory application vacuum gap, a theoretical gap is a gap in the field’s current theories and models that needs to be adequately addressed.
It may be found by doing a literature review, in which the researcher looks over the body of knowledge already written about the subject of the study and notes any gaps, limitations, and inconsistent findings.
For instance, a theoretical gap in economics and finance occurs when the causes of financial bubbles, which are characterised by sharp price increases interspersed with declines, are not well understood.
2. Empirical gap: An “empirical gap” is the portion of phenomena that remains unexplained or unexplored and can be investigated by empirical inquiry.
An empirical gap, often referred to as an empirical void gap, occurs when the available data or empirical Research is insufficient to address a particular study topic.
Goh and Lee (2020) conducted a study that investigated the effect of social media on customer behaviour. Their research identified a requirement for more investigation into the function of social media influencers in influencing consumers’ purchasing decisions and usage of services.
One may argue that there is an empirical vacuum here that needs to be filled by more empirical study.
Understanding the relationship between financial performance and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) variables is an example of an empirical gap.
Strong ESG practices have been linked to improved financial success in certain research studies, while little or even a negative correlation has been found in others.
3. Methodological gap: A methodological gap, also known as a method and study design gap, is a discrepancy between the approaches and techniques used in earlier studies that might have an effect on the efficiency and dependability of the results.
This may reduce the area of study, erode analytical precision, and obstruct the creation of reliable models or financial solutions.
Methodological gaps in Research are occasionally caused by researchers in the finance field needing more data.
More data is required in order to carry out more studies, which creates a methodological gap.
4. Practical gap: A practical gap is created when there is a difference between theory and practice.
In order to close this gap and enhance the practical application of theoretical discoveries, further Research must be done.
Another name for a practical gap is an action-knowledge-conflict gap or a practical-knowledge gap.
Finding research gaps entails a thorough examination of the body of information, a critical analysis of earlier Research, and an investigation of areas where knowledge is lacking.
Researchers need to evaluate the drawbacks and restrictions of previous studies, pinpoint open-ended queries, and investigate uncharted territory in their field of study.
Critical thinking, in-depth knowledge of the subject, and familiarity with the current scholarly debate are all necessary for this procedure.
Research gaps come in many forms, such as:
The term “theoretical gap” describes an identification of unaddressed gaps in the field’s current ideas and models.
A gap in the empirical evidence or data that is not sufficient to address a particular research topic in the area is referred to as an empirical gap.
Methodological gaps can impair the validity and accuracy of the results.
They are defined as gaps in the literature review, research procedures and techniques employed in prior studies.
The term “practical gap” describes a divide that exists between theory and practice; further study is necessary to close this divide and enhance the practical application of theory.
Conceptual gap: This is the word used to describe a lack of knowledge about important terms and concepts in the subject, which can result in definitions and interpretations that need to be more consistent or clear.
A knowledge gap is an area in the body of knowledge where certain subjects or fields have yet to receive enough attention or Research.
The instructions given below will help you in determining the research gaps in your study and in using examples to help you write about them in your research proposal, thesis, or dissertation.
1. Talk about a few of the earlier studies.
Before examining the gaps in the prior literature, it is necessary to discuss some of the earlier Research that have been done in the literature that does not specifically address the issue of the Research.
The contributions ought to be connected to the inconsistencies, omissions, and problems that have previously been noted.
2. Determine significant Gaps
The next task for researchers is to identify any noteworthy omissions, inconsistencies, or disagreements in the literature.
This serves to highlight the necessity for more Research on the topic. Is it possible to finish this work on time?
3. Compose a summary Declarative
The goals of the manuscript the researcher is producing and the additions it makes to the body of knowledge must also be stated in unambiguous terms.
This statement should logically lead into the one that highlights inconsistencies, contradictions, and weaknesses in the literature.
To select a winner, you must methodically assess each prospective research gap (and the ensuing potential study subjects) on your shortlist of interests.
There are several variables to take into account in this situation, but some crucial ones are as follows:
Originality and value: Will addressing the issue provide value, and is it sufficiently novel?
Data access: Will the relevant sample be available to you?
Costs: Will there be extra expenses for gathering and analysing data?
Timelines: Can you gather and analyse the data in the amount of time your university requires?
Now that we have established Types of research gaps, when researchers can’t find what they need in the current literature, it’s called a research gap.
One of the most important parts of any literature study is finding any gaps that may exist.
Theoretical, empirical, methodological, practical, conceptual, and knowledge gaps are some of the many forms that Research may take.
Filling up these kinds of research gaps can greatly enhance our understanding of a particular topic and add to the current body of knowledge.
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