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Miles, D. A. (2017). A Taxonomy of Research Gaps: Identifying and Defining the Seven Research Gaps. In Doctoral Student Workshop: Finding Research Gaps-Research Methods and Strategies, Dallas, Texas.
One of the most prevailing issues in the craft of research is to develop a research agenda and build the research on the development of the research gap.
The purpose of this talk is threefold.
Thus, Miles proposes a seven-point theoretical model and discusses the characteristics of each research and the situation in which its application is warranted in the literature review.
The significance of this article is twofold.
The implication for researchers is that research gaps should be structured and characterized based on their functionality.
The idea of finding gaps in the research has been troubling for most researchers.
Robinson, Saldanhea, and McKoy (2011)
In their model, they identified and described five types of research gaps types: (a) Population, (b) Intervention, (c) Comparison, (d) Outcomes, and (e) Setting.
Müller-Bloch and Kranz, (2014)
Their framework of research gaps consisted of six gaps: (a) Contradictory Evidence Gap; (b) Knowledge Void Gap; (c) Action-Knowledge Conflict Gap; (d) Methodological Gap; (e) Evaluation Void Gap; and (f) Theory Application Void Gap.
Miles (2017)
Miles (2017) proposed a new model built on the two previous models that consist of seven core research gaps renamed: (a) Evidence Gap; (b) Knowledge Gap; (c) Practical-Knowledge Conflict Gap; (d) Methodological Gap; (e) Empirical Gap; and (f) Theoretical Gap; (g) Population Gap.
An evidence gap occurs with a provocative exception arises if a new research finding contradicts widely accepted conclusions.
Evidence Gap (Contradictory Evidence Gap)
The researcher identified an apparent evidence gap in the prior research concerning_____________. Previous research has addressed several aspects of ________________: (1)______________(cite two to three relevant articles), (2) _____________ (cite two to three relevant articles), and (3) _____________ (cite two to three relevant articles). However, the previous research has not address several contradictions in the findings concerning the prior research. The researcher has identified there is an evidence gap in the prior studies that are contradictory in the findings [Miles, 2017].
The knowledge gap is a common gap in the prior research. There are two settings where a knowledge gap (knowledge void) might occur.
Knowledge Gap (Knowledge Void Gap)
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 __________________ [Miles, 2017].
This kind of gap tends to be a discrepancy that can motivate new research in this direction.
Practical Knowledge Gap (Action-Knowledge Conflict Gap)
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 [Miles, 2017].
A methodological gap is the type of gap that deals with the conflict that occurs due to the influence of methodology on research results.
Methodological Gap (Methodology Void Gap)
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 ____________ [Miles, 2017].
An empirical gap is the type of gap that deals with gaps in the prior research.
For example, the empirical gap often addresses conflicts that no study to date has directly attempted to evaluate a subject or topic from an empirical approach [Müller-Bloch & Kranz, 2014].
Empirical Gap (Evaluation Void Gap)
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 ______________ [Miles, 2017].
The theoretical gap is the type of gap that deals with the gaps in theory with the prior research.
For example, if one phenomenon is being explained through various theoretical models, similar to a methodological gap conflict, there might be a theoretical conflict.
Theoretical gaps are a common occurrence in examining prior research on a phenomenon [Müller-Bloch & Kranz, 2014].
Theoretical Gap (Theory Application Void Gap)
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 ______________ [Miles, 2017].
A population gap is a common gap recognized among researchers.
This gap is the type of research regarding the population that is not adequately represented or under-researched in the evidence base or prior research (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, age and etic) [Robinson, et al, 2011].
Population Gap (Under-researched Sub-Groups Gap)
Based on the review of the prior research, there is a population gap. Some of these sub-populations have been unexplored and under- researched. 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 ______________[Miles, 2017].
To discuss the gaps in the prior research, you first must highlight some of the prior research in the literature that does not address the particular focus of the research. The contributions noted should relate back to gaps, inconsistencies, and controversies noted earlier. See Example 1:
Example 1: (Identify the research gap)
Previous research has addressed several aspects of ____________________: (1) ______________ (cite two to three relevant articles), (2) _____________ (cite two to three relevant articles), and (3) _____________ (cite two to three relevant articles) [Summers, 2001].
Then, researchers need to identify important gaps, inconsistencies, and/or controversies in the literature. This serves to establish the need for additional research in the topic area of interest. This task, like those that precede it, can be achieved in a concise manner. See Example 2 and Example 3. Consider the following sample template below:
Example 2: (Identify the research gap)
However, in addition, ___________________ encompasses several unexplored dimensions that lately have attracted research attention in other disciplines (cite two to three relevant articles) [Summers, 2001].
Example 3: (Identify the research gap)
Some of these unexplored________ appear to be important and worthy of investigation in the context of ___________________________. An investigation of these issues is important because ____________________________. Furthermore, previous empirical research has focused primarily on _________________ . Very little research has been done on ______________ [Summers, 2001].
Finally, and most important, the researcher must provide a concise statement of the manuscript’s purposes, the contributions the manuscript makes to the literature. This Statement should follow logically from the text that identifies gaps, inconsistencies, and/or controversies in the literature. See Example 4 and Example 5:
Example 4:
In this study we seek to extend _______________ by addressing the gaps in_____________. The study investigates the impact of four ___________ (1) __________, (2) ___________, (3)____________, and (4) _____________ . In addition, interrelationships among __________________ are examined [Summers, 2001].
Example 5:
The researcher identified four major gaps in the prior research and literature.
First, the researcher identified an apparent theoretical gap in the prior research concerning _____________. The previous research has addressed several aspects of ________________: (1) _____________(cite two to three relevant articles), (2) _____________ (cite two to three relevant articles), and (3) _____________ (cite two to three relevant articles).
Second, based on the review of the prior research, there is a population gap. There is gap with_______________. This population segment has been under-researched in the prior literature. In addition, _________________ encompasses several unexplored dimensions that lately have attracted research attention in other disciplines (cite two to three relevant articles).
Third, the researcher identified an apparent knowledge gap in the prior research concerning _____________. In addition, the prior research there is a conflict and contradiction in the findings of the prior studies that did not address the subject of ___________________. Some of these unexplored __________ contradictions in the prior research appear to be important and worthy of investigation in the context of _________________. An investigation of these issues is important because _________________.
Lastly, the researcher identified an empirical gap in the prior research. There is a lack of rigorous research in the prior literature. The previous research has focused primarily on ______________. Very little research has been done on ______________ to properly evaluation the problem. In this study we seek to provide a new inquiry on management practices with the federal government by addressing the gaps in ____________. The study investigates the impact of four: (1) __________, (2)_________, (3)____________, and (4) ______________[Summers, 2001].