Identifying research gap

The scientific advances reached in our time in many different fields including scientific research, especially in the developed and scientifically and technologically developed countries, relied on the results of the previous studies (previous literature), where the researcher discovered a problem and identified the research gap for this problem and accordingly conducted his research and reached the results that address and fill this research gap, so the researcher in the preparation of the research to identify the problem that he observed by explaining the research gap.

The analysis of the research gap is a tool that helps the researcher to compare the results of previous studies (previous literature) that has been researched in the same field with the results expected in the current research, if the previous studies (previous literature) did not achieve the desired results in addressing the apparent problem from his point of view as a researcher. The researcher explains this in the research gap of his research.

The research gap analysis is determined by identifying the research problem in advance and then the research gap is interpreted to indicate areas that can be addressed. This involves identifying and documenting the differences between the current research and previous studies (previous literature) by analyzing the main items accurately from other measurements and evaluations. The researcher has reached the results of his research to fill this research gap.

 Research gap Concept 

There are several definitions of the research gap, the most important of which are:

• The research gap is: “The field of study that it missed in previous studies (previous literature), or that the community has limited information about it. When a researcher conducts a research, it aims to bridge the research gap. It is a research question that has arisen because of a recurring problem in society”.
• The research gap is: “Research issue that has not been addressed in previous studies (previous literature), constitute a shortage in a field, and complement the researcher stopped by the previous researchers in view of a new research angle, it is linked to the research problem and is part of it”

 Characteristics of the research gap 

The most important features of the research gap are:

1. The research gap should be in accordance with the area of ​​the research problem to be investigated and linked to the process of identifying research hypothesis.
2. To work to add a new scientific addition and linked to the process of identifying research hypothesis.
3. Be measurable to reach solutions and linked to the process of identifying research hypothesis.
4. Provide the researcher with many research ideas and procedures and to be linked to the process of identifying research hypothesis.
5. Motivate the researcher to read and research in fields and periodicals and to be linked to the process of identifying research hypothesis.
6. Be clearly and understandably presented to the reader and to be linked to the process of identifying research hypothesis.

As we presented above, each characteristic is linked to the process of identifying research hypothesis, which is to emphasis of the necessity of linking the research gap with the process of identifying research hypothesis. The process of identifying research hypothesis is highly related to research gap. Identifying research hypothesis helps direct the research toward the identified research gap.

 Objective of the research gap 

Main objectives of the research gap:

1. Clarify the research problem discovered and reached by the researcher.
2. Work to clarify the difference between the current research and previous studies (previous literature) that dealt with in the same field.
3. Ensure that the research problem to be carried out is unprecedented.
4. Highlight the moral value of the research.

Types of research gaps 

There are several research gaps, the most important of which are:

1. Analytical gap: It is an actual application of innovative analytical tools from those applied in previous studies (previous literature) applied in the same context.
2. Knowledge gap: It is an addition to an innovative identifier that has not been addressed previously.
3. Time gap: It is research in a field of interest that has been researched for a long time, and makes re-search necessary.
4. Spatial gap: It is research in a field of interest that has been researched previously, but in a different environment.
5. Applied Gap: It is an innovative strategy application in research that has been delved into its field by previous studies (previous literature).
6. Conceptual gap: They apply different concepts that have not been applied by previous studies (previous literature) that has fought in the same field.
7. Systematic Gap: They apply a different methodology that has not been applied to a community and a research sample by previous studies (previous literature) that has been fought in the same field.
8. Gap Theory: It is the addition of a theoretical framework that has not been addressed by previous studies (previous literature) that has been researched in the same context, and that has an impact on the results of the research.

 Steps to formulate the research gap 

 The research gap can be formulated by:

• Research decision-making in the research problem:

The researcher is fully aware of the research problem. Gathering information about the research problem will enable him to make his research decision on the research problem. The gathering of information is done through mapping literature. Mapping literature is an essential process to find related previous studies.

The process of mapping literature should be concise and focused. When conducting mapping literature process, the researcher should focus on all types of literature related to the subject. Mapping literature is of great value for the formulation of research gap. Many researcher perform mapping literature to a narrow context, while the best is to do mapping literature at a broader context. Since mapping literature is useful in identifying where previous studies has reached.

• Work on the gradual analysis of the research gap:

The researcher clarifies the research problem, and then work on the gradual analysis of the research gap through the year and then move to the periphery of the research.

• Defining the content of the research gap:

Where the researcher focusses on the subject of the research gap and be clear and accurate, and move away from the sub-themes.

• Clarify the scope of the research gap:

In this field, the researcher should formulate the research gap according to the scientific research criteria.

 How to identify the research gap 

The research gap is determined by a comprehensive survey or mapping literature in the subject area under consideration.

1. Read the latest refereed research published in famous journals and journals in the field of research with a focus on the results of these researches or proposals for future studies.
2. During reading and analysis, emphasis is placed on methodologies applied in research that have been researched in the same field.
3. Attention to research plans written by senior researchers in which they discuss the most important challenges and problems of future research.
4. Use the previous studies (previous literature) most researched the idea of ​​the research gap of the research under way.

 Watch: Identifying Gaps in Research 

With greetings: Al - Manara Consulting to help researchers and graduate students