Q: What does addressing a gap in knowledge mean?
When stating a problem in research, how can one really understand the area that is a gap in a given sphere of knowledge before conducting research to bridge the gap?
As you have rightly noted, research is conducted to bridge or address a gap in knowledge. However, to understand or identify a gap in knowledge, you need to do a literature search, which is done before conducting the research. In the course of a literature search, you first identify and then go through literature related to your topic. This may include previous studies, theoretical papers (that discuss only the conceptual aspects of a solution), and expert articles. In the case of a literature review paper, this may also include unpublished literature (also called grey literature). A thorough literature search typically reveals gaps in existing knowledge in the field. You may decide to address one, some, or all of these gaps in your research.
For more information on research gaps and literature searches, you may go through the following resources:
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