How to Find a Gap in Literature

Last Updated on: 3rd June 2022, 04:30 am

When you write your dissertation proposal, you’ll need to identify the gap in literature. This is a very important step that is sometimes confusing. We’ll do our best to clarify it in this article.

What Is a Gap in Literature?

The gap in literature is a place where something relevant to the field of study is not yet known. 

This means that when you conduct your study, you are at the frontier of knowledge. Standing on the foundation that other researchers before you have built, you are stepping out beyond the reaches of current knowledge into the unknown. You aim to bring back important knowledge for the furthering of science and the betterment of society.

It’s important to note that just because something hasn’t been studied doesn’t mean that it’s strictly a gap in literature. There must be a clear reason why it is worthy of research. 

Expanding Knowledge: an Archetypal Journey

There are many ancient and modern stories of heroes seeking knowledge, wisdom, or powerful objects. Throughout their journeys, they often encounter major setbacks–and through these setbacks, they grow as people. While their course changes, they remain focused on their mission.

If the hero achieves his or her goal and gains the knowledge or power that they sought, they then bring it back to their community and share this gift with others. They become wise men and women who are capable of guiding others. 

Many ancient and modern stories follow this pattern for a reason: it is an important and universal part of the human experience.

Doing research is a reflection of this journey. When you identify the problem and purpose you wish to study, you are creating a goal and deciding how you wish to serve the community.

However, to truly live this journey, the goal must be something nobody has ever done before. In order to genuinely contribute to the world and the scientific community, you must find something meaningful that nobody has yet found. 

So how do you do this?

How do you Identify a Gap in Literature?

Read

To identify a gap in literature, start by reading. Especially read current literature, as those papers will often identify gaps that have not yet been filled. Look in the “Recommendations for Further Research” section of recent papers, as these will explicitly state gaps in knowledge that were not filled at the time of writing.

If the literature does not tell you where the gap is, many times you will perceive a gap. After reading large amounts of pertinent literature you may come up with questions such as “I wonder what ___?” or I wonder why this hasn’t been looked at?” This may be the gap in the literature.

Talk to Experts

Your faculty advisor is a great place to start, but don’t stop here. Reach out to experts in the field and ask whether they would be willing to have a half-hour conversation with you. Since they have been in the field for a while, they have a sense of its general trajectory and how your area of interest may fit in with the bigger picture.

Consider Research Agendas

Some advisors or faculty at your institution may be working with a research agenda–a path for research that includes multiple studies. You may be able to create a study that contributes to these efforts. While your focus would be limited, you may also have the satisfaction of contributing to a larger research effort.

Contradictory Evidence

When similar studies have contradicting results, there is the opportunity to explore the area more. Also look for when a consistent and accepted conclusion is contradicted by the appearance of a new finding. Keeping a key eye on the research can aid your awareness of these instances.

Get a Reference Librarian’s Help

Libraries, and the extraordinary folks who inhabit them, are seriously underestimated these days. A reference librarian can be very helpful in finding relevant literature.

How do you Write a Gap in Literature Statement?

To let your readers know there is a gap in the literature is a process of telling them a story and letting them know what pieces are missing. When you can develop a story where you tell the reader that through the work of others we know A, B, and D but work needs to be done to find out more about C.

To do this, walk the reader through what is currently known, referencing both recent and seminal research. Then identify where the gap is (preferably with quotes or citations from other researchers who have recognized the same gap).

At this point you have found the gap in the literature and helped the reader to understand how it fits in the big picture. With that support you can move forward, bringing your readers with you, to explain how your propose to fill the gap.