This document discusses identifying research gaps. It explains that a research gap is an unexplored, less explored, or inadequately explored area of knowledge that could add to the field if studied further. Identifying research gaps is important to rationalize and justify a research study. Potential sources of identifying gaps include personal experiences, reviewing previous related studies and their suggested further research, meta-analyses, popular topics on journals, and discussions with supervisors and colleagues. The document provides guidance on what a research gap is, why identifying one is important, and potential ways to find a gap.

1. Research Gap
________
What, Why, How?
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan,
Department of Education,
Hazara University
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra, Email:
drmuhammadilyaskhan7@gmail.com

2. Research Gap: What?
• Central question(s):
• What is the need to conduct THIS study?
• What is lacking in the existing literature regarding a
topic/issue that needs to be identified/explored?
• What we do not know about an issue that we need to know
to have a better understanding?
• ___________________________________________________
• A research gap indicates an unexplored, less explored or
inadequately explored area of knowledge, an exploration
or further exploration of which may add to scholarship
(General/contextual) in the field.
• Field/research type dependent.
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra, Email:
drmuhammadilyaskhan7@gmail.com

3. Research Gap: Why?
• Central question(s)
• Why do we need to identify research gap?
• Well-why would one undertake any research if
there is no gap of knowledge?
• Why would we re-invent the wheel?
_________________________________________
• Research gap identification is essential because we
need to rationalize and justify the process and
product of the research study that we are
undertaking or that we have conducted.
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra, Email:
drmuhammadilyaskhan7@gmail.com

4. Research Gap: How?
• Central question (s):
• How do we know that there’s research gap to fill?
• What are sources of identifying research gaps?
_________________________________________________
• Personal experiences and reflections on those experiences.
• Reading around questions based on personal experiences.
• Reading parts of previous studies: ‘Suggestions for further
studies’ (R-questions, conditions, methodological considerations
etc.).
• Reading meta-analyses (Papers/books).
• Popular topics on journal websites.
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra, Email:
drmuhammadilyaskhan7@gmail.com

5. Research Gap: How?
• Central question (s)
• How do we know that there’s research gap to fill?
• What are sources of identifying research gaps?
____________________________________________
• Discussion with supervisor(s), senior colleagues.
• Observing what other (senior) research students have
been working on.
• Attending research conferences in the field of your
interest.
• The earlier, the better.
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra, Email:
drmuhammadilyaskhan7@gmail.com