Page 92 - SREENARAYANAGURU OPEN UNIVERSITY

For example, before the 1950s, psychology focused
heavily on studying white and middle-class men. This
massive research gap around diverse populations was like
a giant blindspot on the academic map. Recognising this
oversight prompted researchers to investigate previously
neglected groups, leading to revelations about cross-cultural
Gaps spur differences. Spotting this gap allowed the field to progress.
discovery
Research gaps also reveal areas requiring urgent attention,
like how natural philosophers in the 1600s mapped many
celestial objects but had not yet explained planetary motion.
This glaring hole led Isaac Newton to develop revolutionary
theories of gravity. Similarly, scholars today can identify
domains needing analysis to address real-world problems.

Just as filling in uncharted seas connected dispersed
continents, bridging research gaps unites isolated intellectual
islands. For instance, 19th-century naturalists mapped the
geography of plant and animal species, but gaps existed
in explaining their distribution. This problem required
collaborating across biology, geology and climatology to
shape the theory of plate tectonics. Like this, gap-spanning
Gaps unify research synergises dispersed disciplines. Ultimately, seeking
knowledge gaps keeps the quest for knowledge dynamic. As old maps
get outdated by new continents and coastlines, research must
stay relevant by continually searching the horizons for areas
still unmapped. Exploring frontiers where mysteries wait
to be uncovered drives progress, creativity and problem-
solving. Whether geographical or academic, filling in the
missing pieces takes us further.

Thus, identifying research gaps is an important step in
the research process that helps researchers contribute to
the existing body of knowledge and address unanswered
questions. However finding a research gap can be a
An important step challenging task for many researchers, including doctoral
in research students. It involves analysing the existing literature and
identifying areas where further investigation is needed. By
identifying research gaps, researchers can determine the
significance of their study and ensure its relevance in the
broader academic and scientific community.

While reading literature for gaps, researchers must
consider certain expressions in existing studies that may
State the provide clues for further inquiry. Expressions such as 'has/
research gap have not been,' 'is required or needed,' 'the key question is or
remains,' 'it is important to address,' etc., serve as important
indicators of the orientation towards which the study was
directed. Knowing where gaps exist in literature and the

86 SGOU - SLM - Foundational Skills for Research and Writing