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Academic Literature: Difference between Research Gap and Knowledge Gap.

4 years ago in PhD Problem Statement By Varsha

Research Problem

What is a “Research gap” and “Knowledge gap” which are commonly used in academic literature? How can we claim a gap? Is the gap explored or constructed? How can a gap in research be identified?

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By Nirav Answered 4 years ago

Hello, In my opinion, I actually perceive these as two different things. The knowledge gap is that which needs to be filled by new research either because we know little or nothing. The research gap to me (as I am an applied researcher) is the gap between the discovery of knowledge relevant to practice and the time it takes to put that information into practice in the field. So, that’s the difference. Never the context is not the research gap but one that will surely indicate or lead you to the problem. The reason for you to do research should be a lack or insufficiency or gap in the existing literature.

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By Akash Answered 4 years ago

Hi, Research gap, I think is a subset of the knowledge gap. Research gap refers to a knowledge gap that yet it is researched. Knowledge gap, on the other hand, is a wider conception about something that we have not explored, by scientific or academic research or by other means. In academic research, a knowledge gap is used to highlight general issues which usually lead to a problem statement and research questions. While the research gap specifically refers to the scientific process of solving the issue or answering the research question which has yet to be carried out. I hope you also do better research on them to get clarified!

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By Renu Answered 4 years ago

Hi, kiddo Your knowledge or research gap is the justification for embarking on your research project. Understanding the criteria for evaluating your knowledge would shed more light on knowing how to identify gaps in any documented form of knowledge. Science in my own opinion is a methodology and the rigour of inference. By implications, you could identify gaps in methodology and the inference made by earlier researchers. Conceptually, a knowledge gap could be as follows: 1. Non-validation of a proposed hypothesis. 2. Lack of multiple lines of evidence to support a hypothesis. 3. When results obtained as failed to be logically coherent with the earlier conceptual framework. 4. The limited scope of the predictive power of your hypothesis. 5. Methodological flaws. All the best!

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