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A key requirement for producing a rigorous dissertation is the ability to identify a credible gap in the existing literature, as part of establishing a scholarly foundation for a study. Identifying such gaps requires more than summarizing previous studies; it demands a critical evaluation of current scholarship to identify limitations, inconsistencies, or unexplored areas that warrant further investigation (Molokomme, 2025). Researchers often struggle with the task. Slater (2018) notes that one of the most common mistakes among novice researchers is the inability to clearly state a research gap, a weakness that undermines the study’s justification and relevance. This challenge is especially common among doctoral students who may lack the methodological experience and analytical skills needed for comprehensive literature reviews and precise gap identification, which ultimately affects their ability to validate the problem being studied (Bans-Akutey & Tiimub, 2021). When scholars fail to identify and defend a legitimate gap, the study’s contribution, rigor, and scientific value are diminished, leading to broader implications for academic quality and institutional reputation. Therefore, improving students’ ability to identify, articulate, and justify research gaps is vital for advancing disciplinary knowledge and upholding the standards of scholarly inquiry.

The purpose of this blog post is to examine the various types of gaps identified by scholars in the extant literature. In the same vein, the authors synthesized a series of steps derived from current scholarship to help doctoral students identify a research gap that can serve as the foundation for their dissertation. Finally, the body of knowledge presented herein may serve as a helpful guide for instructors as they design and deliver instruction on identifying research gaps in doctoral programs.

Researchers classify gaps in the literature in multiple ways. Molokomme (2025), for example, identified eight categories, including evidence, knowledge, population, theoretical, methodological, conceptual, temporal, and contextual gaps. In a related systematic review, Baako et al. (2022) reported similar classifications but also noted key distinctions in how specific gaps were defined. Table 1 presents a comparative overview of these classifications to illustrate the areas of convergence and divergence across the two studies.

Table1
Types of Gaps Identified in the Literature

���dzٱ�:��Table 1 is a summary of the types of gaps identified in the literature based on the insights presented by Baako et al. (2022) and Molokomme (2025).

Identifying and defining a gap in the literature starts with a thorough review to find areas that are missing, underexplored, outdated, understudied, or unresolved within a specific topic (Molokomme, 2025; Okeke, 2025). Students need to develop the skills necessary to efficiently and effectively examine peer-reviewed literature to gain knowledge and understanding of elements or areas that may be absent or significant within their field of study (Gionfriddo et al., 2024; Wald et al., 2022). To determine whether a gap exists in the literature regarding a selected research problem, researchers must conduct a critical review and analysis of published sources to validate, develop, refine, or, in some cases, abandon proposed ideas (Wald et al., 2022). Recognizing what is already known is a fundamental step in building on existing knowledge (Gionfriddo et al., 2024). Deciding whether a research topic is a viable inquiry depends on identifying a meaningful research gap; however, researchers must also evaluate whether the gap is substantial enough to justify further study (Wald et al., 2022). As researchers assess the feasibility of their study topics, developing a gap statement is often aligned with a problem statement, which provides clear guidance for this part of the research and is informed by methodological literature (Wald et al., 2022).

Figure 1 illustrates a systematic process doctoral students can apply to identify a legitimate gap in the literature. The infographic highlights the importance of initiating the process with a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature, followed by a critical analysis of patterns, themes, and contradictions across studies, as shown in Table 1. The final steps guide students in determining whether the identified gap is meaningful enough to justify conducting a research study.

Figure 1

Identifying the Gap in the Literature: A Guide to Help Doctoral Students

Note: Figure 1 shows a synthesis from multiple scholarly works to outline a systematic process for identifying a meaningful gap in the literature. The steps reflect recommendations on conducting comprehensive searches and evaluating the scope of existing knowledge (Gionfriddo et al., 2024), analyzing patterns, inconsistencies, and limitations across studies (Baako et al., 2022; Molokomme, 2025), assessing the novelty and viability of a proposed research direction (Okeke, 2025), and aligning the identified gap with a defensible research problem supported by methodological rigor (Wald et al., 2022).

Identifying and defending a significant gap in the existing literature is crucial for developing a robust dissertation and advancing academic knowledge. Doctoral students need to progress beyond simply summarizing the literature and engage in critical, methodologically informed evaluations of the existing literature, which will help ensure they are better equipped to recognize unresolved, understudied inconsistencies and underexplored areas that warrant further investigation to justify the research problem. The information included in this article outlines the types of gaps available for study, identifies research-based strategies for locating and evaluating these gaps, and presents a systematic approach for determining whether a gap is both valid and meaningful. By doing so, it offers a structured pathway for novice researchers to enhance the rationale, rigor, and scholarly contribution of their research study.

Baako, I., Alhassan, H., & Gidisu, P. (2022). Understanding and spotting research gaps through a systematic literature review. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science,��6(3), 549-554.

Bans-Akutey, A., & Tiimub, B. M. (2021). Identifying research gaps in scholarly work - A review. Academia Letters, 3237. .

Gionfriddo, M. R., McClendon, C., Nolfi, D. A., Kalarchian, M. A., & Covvey, J. R. (2024). Back to the basics: guidance for designing good literature searches. Res Social Adm Pharm, 20(4), 463-468. 

Molokomme, R. T. (2025). Beyond the known: analysing complexities of novice researchers in identifying and filling research gaps in social science scholarship. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, Suppl.Special Issue,��14(4), 325-334.

Okeke, R. C. (2025). Understanding research novelty and research gaps: Strategies for identifying unexplored areas and pioneering innovative contributions. Social Sciences and Education Research Review, 12(1), 126-130.

Slater, T. F. (2018). Improving your argument by identifying a literature gap. Journal of Astronomy and Earth Sciences Education,��5(1), 1-22.

Wald, N., Harland, T., & Daskon, C. (2022). The gap statement and justification in higher education research: an analysis of published articles. European Journal of Higher Education (14), 2, 308-323.