• It helps to identify missing elements in previous studies.

• It tries to showcase the novelty in the current research. 

• It helps to identify research directions or research approaches. 

2. Knowledge Gap

This is the gap between what has already been done and what is yet to be explored by researchers in a particular field of study or interest. 

Example:

"The researcher identified an apparent knowledge gap in the prior research concerning_____________. In addition, the prior research did not address the subject of ___________________. This encompasses several unexplored dimensions that lately have attracted research attention in other disciplines (cite two to three relevant articles). The ___________ should be explored further to provide an understanding as to why such is not the case with __________________"

3. Practical-Knowledge Gap

A practical-knowledge gap (action research) conflict arises when the actual behavior of professionals are different from the proposed behavior. 

In this case, research could seek to determine the scope of the conflict and uncover the reasons for its existence. 

Example:

"There is appears to be a practical- knowledge gap in the prior research. There is a lack of rigorous research in the prior literature. Some of these unexplored________ appear to be lacking in the practice of __________________field. The field of ________________ is ripe for an investigation of practical focus research on ____________> Many of the prior studies focus on the theoretical aspects of the field of __________________. However, there are very few practical studies or action research in the field of _____________. This is an important and worthy of investigation in the context of ____________________. An investigation of these issues is important because ______________. Furthermore, previous theoretical research has focused primarily on ___________________ and very little practical- research has been done on ______________field"

4. Methodological Gap

This gap deals with the conflict that occurs due to the influence of methodology on research results. 

This gap addresses the conflicts with the research methods in prior research and offers new research that departs from this traditional research methods as to offer reasons why there are differences. 

Example:

"The researcher identified a methodological gap in the prior research. There is a lack of ________________research designs in ___________.Based on the research we are trying implement as a research design, we found there is dearth in the prior research on_________ research designs. In this study we seek to establish a new inquiry on research designs with __________. We seek to extend _______________ the research by addressing the gaps with ________________in the research methodologies with ____________"

5. Empirical Gap

An empirical gap deals with gaps in prior research and how to plug the gap. 

This usually deals with research findings or propositions that needs to be evaluated or empirically verified. 

Example:

"There is appears to be an empirical gap in the prior research. There is a lack of rigorous research in the prior literature. Some of these unexplored________ appear to be important and worthy of investigation in the context of _____________________________. An empirical investigation of these issues is important because ___________________. Furthermore, previous research has focused primarily on qualitative research concerning ___________________. No study to date has directly attempted to empirically evaluate _____________. Very little empirical research has been done on ______________"

6. Theoretical Gap

This gap arises from the mixed findings from previous research. The mixed findings can be in terms of (+/-, sig/no sig). 

It may also be related to the use of different theories and researchers can also examine whether one theory can better explain the phenomenon than another. 

Example:

"The researcher identified an apparent theoretical gap in the prior research concerning_____________. The theory on ______________is rather dated and the current studies bear the fruit of this theoretical gap. Some of the prior theory appear to be important and a foundation worthy of recognition. However, an investigation in terms of ____________________ and theoretical development is warranted. An investigation of these issues is important because ________________ Furthermore, previous theoretical models need to embrace contemporary research in __________________ and related fields to provide a stronger theoretical basis for projects. The previous theory tends to focus primarily on ________________. It does not encompass new paradigms in ______________"

7. Population/Contextual Gap 

This gap is where certain under researched or under-represented populations are the focus of study (B40, disabilities, etc.). 

Example:

"Based on the review of the prior research, there is a population gap. Some of these sub-populations have been unexplored and underresearched. The________ appear to be important and worthy of investigation in the context of __________________________. An investigation of this group is important because ________________________. Furthermore, previous research has focused primarily on this population of _________________. Very little research has been done on ______________"

• A common strategy in writing a paper and identifying its contribution is to identify a “gap” in the literature and justify a contribution by filling in the gap. 

• While a gap might exist, it does not logically follow that filling a gap is an important contribution. In fact, gaps may exist precisely because the issue is uninteresting or obvious. The marketing discipline is not very old, so more gaps exist than published articles. 

• On this point Barry Babin observed, “The fact that ‘no researcher has tested this before’ does not logically justify the need for such a test.” 

• When a gap does exist it is not always obvious why filling the gap is important. It is an author’s responsibility to tell the target audience why filling the gap is relevant and meaningful. 

• Barton Weitz noted, “As an editor and reviewer, I am concerned when authors claim their contribution will fill a gap in the literature—no one previously has looked at the relationship between X and Y—but the authors never discuss why anyone should be interested in the relationship between X and Y.” 

• Papers that offer highly generalizable insights that are meaningful and useful to broad constituencies are most likely to contain a strong contribution. Thus papers that make a contribution to theory have the best chance of being published in the top journals. 

Miles, D. A. (2017). A taxonomy of research gaps: Identifying and defining the seven research gaps. Doctoral Student Workshop: Finding Research Gaps-Research Methods and Strategies, Dallas, Texas. (Download Here)

Müller-Bloch, C., & Kranz, J. (2015). A framework for rigorously identifying research gaps in qualitative literature reviews. (Download Here)