Q: What does addressing a gap in knowledge mean?

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 In the case of a literature review paper, this may also include unpublished literature (also called grey literature).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:

• Don't know where to start? 6 Tips on identifying research gaps
• How can I describe the gap in literature when no previous research has been done on the problem?
• Tips for effective literature searching and keeping up with new publications
• How to write the literature review of your research paper