This document outlines four steps for establishing a niche in academic research: 1) counter-claiming by presenting an opposing argument, 2) indicating a gap in previous research, 3) raising questions about the implications of gaps in prior studies, and 4) continuing a tradition by extending past work. An example is provided for each step, such as counterclaiming a bank's claim in a lawsuit or questioning the effect of social media use on attention spans. The document argues that identifying gaps and unanswered questions is important for justifying further investigation into a topic.

1. MOVE 2:ESTABLISHING A
NICHE
PRESENTED BY:GROUP 2

2. Establishing a Niche
1. You are preparing
your audience to
understand now your
research relates to the
background you have
given, highlighting
gaps/problems in
current knowledge that
justify or explain the
need for further
investigation.
2. indicate a gap in the previous research by raising a question
about it, or extending previous knowledge in some way.
There are 4 steps in Move 2
1 2

3. STEP 1:COUNTER-CLAIMING
A counterclaim is the opposite of the argument, or the opposing argument. A reason tells
why the claim is made and is supported by the evidence. Evidence is the facts or research
to support your claim.
EXAMPLE:
After a bank has sued a customer for an unpaid debt, the customer counterclaims (sues
back) against the bank for fraud in procuring the debt.
The court will sort out the different claims in one lawsuit (unless the claims are severed).
STEP 2:INDICATING A GAP
A common way to indicate a gap is to use a "negative" subject.
EXAMPLE:
Workers in a wide variety of jobs are paid based on performance, which is commonly seen
as enhancing effort and productivity relative to non-contingent pay schemes. However,
psychological research suggests that excessive rewards can, in some cases, result in a
decline in performance.
3
4

4. STEP 3:QUESTION-
RAISING
• similar to gap identification, this involves
presenting key questions about the
consequences of gaps in prior research that
will be addressed by your study.
EXAMPLE:
What effect does social media have on people’s
minds?
What effect does daily use of Twitter have on the
attention span of under-16s?
EXPLANATION:
The first question is not specific enough: what
type of social media? Which people? What kind
of effects? The second question defines its
concepts more clearly. It is researchable through
qualitative and quantitative data collection.

5. STEP 4:CONTINUING
A TRADITION
• extend prior research to expand upon or
clarify a research problem. This is often
signaled with logical connecting
terminology, such as, “hence,” “therefore,”
“consequently,” “thus” or language that
indicates a need.
EXAMPLE:
“Earlier studies seemed to suggest X.to verify
this finding, more work is urgently needed”

6. EXAMPLE:
• While the positive relationship between music listening and stress
relief has been supported with the general population, little research
has been done to examine music’s effect on the mental health and
stress levels of university students in particular.University students
exhibit a higher rate of both stress-induced depression and anxiety
than the general population due to the pressures of completing
complex programs while often living away from home for the first
time. As a result, student stress relief is a critical part of ensuring
student wellbeing, especially with student mental health at the
forefront of many recent discussions among university faculty, staff,
and students.

7. That’s All Thank You
Presented by: Group 2