Research Guides: COM313: Introduction

Introduction to Research for Technical Writing, Grants and Proposals

Research Gaps

There are seven types of research gaps. They are listed below with examples. You might find reading this list to be helpful as you begin your own search for literature.

Type of Gap	Definition	Examples
Theoretical	There is a lack of sufficient theories or models to explain a phenomenon within a field	Current theories of online community behavior don't fully explain the rapid spread of misinformation across small private messaging groups.
Empirical	There is a lack of data or insufficient evidence to support or refute theories within a field	There is limited longitudinal data on how remote work affects career progression.
Methodological	The current research methods are inadequate for addressing a particular question or problem within a field	Standard survey tools cannot capture how people form opinions in rapidly changing digital spaces, requiring new mixed-methods approaches.
Technological	There are limitations in the current technology used in a field's research or practice	Eye-tracking devices used in reading research cannot yet capture nuanced behaviors in people using e-readers versus print.
Practical/Implementation	There is a disconnect between research findings and their real-world application	Research on reducing bias in hiring often fails in practice due to legal or organizational resistance in changing recruitment practices.
Knowledge	Certain areas of a field have been underexplored	Little is known about how cultural differences shape virtual teamwork in multinational organizations.
Interdisciplinary	There are missed opportunities for collaboration across disciplines/fields	Studies of climate migration often lack integration with economic modeling, leaving policies under-informed.