Title of Assignment

ASSESSMENT 1: Summative Essay - Identify Research Gaps for Future ResearchAssignment

NAME: DOMINIC MUFUDZI MAKONI

STUDENT NUMBER:6258645
COURSE & CODE: Current issues in Management Research (53654)
TUTOR: Fanos Tekelas
DATE: 3 JUNE 2023

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According to Carey et al. (2011) “Audiences including researchers , funders, clinicians,
advocates, and patients could use information about prioritized research gaps to understand
areas of uncertainty and more quickly initiate studies”. Robinson et al. (2011, p. 1325) opined
that “the clear and explicit identification of research gaps is a necessary step in developing a
research agenda, including decisions about funding and the design of informative
studies”According to Tranfield et al . (2003, p. 208) “in management research, the literature
review process is a key tool, used to manage the diversity of knowledge for a specific
academic inquiry”.

Thus, a gap is something that remains to be done or learnt in an area of research; it’s a gap in
the knowledge of the researcher in the field of research, unexplored aspect in one’s area of
study; that which is still not answered by research; that body of knowledge that may still be
lacking, undiscovered, not explored and void or leaving a vacuum which therefore raises
certain questions to be answered by yet another research above what is already known
concerning a phenomenon (Robinson, K.A., Saldanha, I.J., & Mckoy, N.A.,2011). It is
prudent for practitioners/researchers to identify research gaps before researching. Several
researchers have contributed to work on research gap and of late notably, writers like Frisch
& Huppenbauer; (2014) , Robinson, K.A.,Saldanha, I.J.,&Mckoy,N.A; (2011), Carey,T.,
Yon.A., Beadles., Wines,R.(2016), Wang et.al. (2016), Aboagye, E.O., Ali, S., Anderson,
A.S., Armes, J., Berditchevski,F.et al,2014)2 etc have immensely added their voices on this
issue, thus ventilating the topical discussion amongst scholars.

The above so understood, it is similarly opined that research gaps can be seen as room for
further scientific exploration and pertinent to provision of future theoretical advancement in
various disciplines, thus, underpinning the significance of providing implications for future
research. Wang et.al (2016), concurs by defining a research gap as “a topic or area for which
missing or inadequate information limits a conclusion for a given question” (p.251).
Robinson et. al (2011), also defines research gap as “a topic or area for which missing or
insufficient information limits the ability to reach a conclusion for a question; thus making it
impossible for decision makers and/or policy makers and policy implementer etc to make
decisions and/or take necessary action.”

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Conducting research is a process that begins with addressing queries and identification of
new areas that need research and development hinged on previous studies culminating in the
several branches of research that tap fresh knowledge thence-from. Noteworthy, is that study
design limitations often develop research gaps, viz., the use of poor tools, or external
influences that the study could or could not control. Thus, Research needs refer to gaps in
knowledge, which promotes expansion of the field of study, hence addressing/closing
knowledge gaps. The purpose of conducting research is mostly to close an existing research
gap by providing a new body of knowledge which is why it’s important for researchers to
identify research gaps in their area of interest. In a nutshell, research attempts to contribute
new scientific research literature rather than duplicate what already exists (Miles, 2017).
A research gap develops as a result of the design of the study's constraints, the use of poor
tools, or external influences that the study could or could not control. Research needs can be
viewed as gaps in knowledge, which will help expand the field of study. Presumably, the
most effective way to determine a research gap could be a comprehensive literature survey
which would surely clarify and shed light on existing works and the gap in the research area.
Perusal of review articles covering specific research topic is vital as it also facilitates grasping
gap in research fast. It is also prudent to know the 6 types of research gaps in Literature
Review, viz., Evidence gap, Knowledge gap/Practical-Knowledge gap, Methodology gap,
Empirical gap, Theoretical gap and Population gap. Missing articles in literature search,
usually indicates a gap and where there are articles, then next find a gap for contributing
new research. Words like: has not been clarified, studied, reported, or elucidated usually
signify gap presence.(Gaps in the Literature - UNE Library Services - University of New
England).
Identification of the research gap is by pruning down the area of interest. For instance, a
marketing area of interest can be further cut down to a market orientation that can act as a
starting point for further analysis. Online databases, viz., ProQuest, EBSCOhost, emerald,
and science direct can be utilized for analyzing literature material as research gap
identification involves a lot of reading. Tom, (2012) posits, “As with all research, it is
important to formulate questions that need further investigation and identify gaps in the
literature that must be researched. First, you need to identify and select relevant information
sources, which will mean looking at books in the library, catalogs, databases and on the
Internet”. Various methods that can be used for identifying the research gap, include, citation
analysis reports, meta-analysis reports, content analysis reports and systematic reviews
although identifying the gap with meta-analysis is least preferred by researchers as it calls for

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use of knowledge and expertise. Systematic reviews, whereby a researcher reviews and
analyzes the literature over a period of time are preferred. Therefore, it is prudent to focus on
the problem from theoretical and practical perspectives or to look into the research gap by
referencing, i.e. forward and backward referencing “also known as chain searching, involves
identifying and examining the references works cited in an article. It is one way to learn
about the development of knowledge on a topic. A researcher will or do this in order to study
the origins and development of a theory, construct, or model of interest. Another reason to
backward reference search is to identify experts, institutions or organizations that specialize
in a topic of research” (ibid). Forward reference searching denotes the identification of
articles that relate to a particular article or work after its publication focusing on the
publications post an initial original article or research publication. Forward reference aids the
expansion of researchers’ knowledge on a topic by finding followup studies . A researcher
then can identify new findings and developments (Florida Atlantic University, 2017).
Emphasis on the feasibility of research problem or research question follow exploration of
the various methods used in the identification of the research gap. It will be necessary to
modify the research problem/approach should the research problem not be feasible. Next is
selection of research problem which relies on the pertinence and worthiness of the field, like
personal inclination, resource availability, relative importance, researcher knowledge and
practicality, as noted by (Farooq, 2013) . Hence, the onus is on the researcher dependant on
their own interest, relevance, and contribution with the selection of the research gap resting
on the accessibility of the literature, researchers own interest and the contribution to the
concerned field.
Then follows identification of the expected outcomes from the researcher’s research gap and
should the identified research gap not result in any expected outcome it shows the vagueness
and indefiniteness of the identified gap. It is necessary to have fore knowledge of the
expected outcomes from the research that can definitely contribute towards the body of
knowledge. Revision of the whole research process should ensue if the problem identified
does not lead to any contribution to the body of knowledge.
This widens into the researchers’ implications for future research in their management fields
of concentration. Implication means something that is inferred, Oxford Dictionary. Therefore
a researcher’s implications for future research are derived from the work’s importance and
it’s impact on future research. It is hinged on the ratings of prior studies and their input in the
field including the study’s contribution. It follows that knowledge of the target population is
a deciding factor as it will be meant for specific beneficiaries for maximum benefit, e.g.

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policymakers, other researchers or the public. Research Implications can thus be viewed as
potential questions from the research that call for more investigation since they relate to the
extent that the research findings might impact policies, theories, and/or practices. Dhanya,
(2023), posits that “the implications in research explain what the findings of the study mean
to researchers or to certain subgroups or populations beyond the basic interpretation of
results. Even if your findings fail to bring radical or disruptive changes to existing ways of
doing things, they might have important implications for future research studies.”

It is noteworthy that gaps exist in gathered knowledge/literature gained through research as

the process of conducting research starts with posing queries and identifying new areas for
study and development based on prior research. The numerous branches of research gain
fresh knowledge as a result of this. A research gap develops as a result of the design of the
study's constraints, the use of poor tools, or external influences that the study could or could
not control. Research needs can be viewed as gaps in knowledge, which will help expand the
field of study. By identifying these gaps in knowledge and the causes behind them, new
research can be centered on these gaps. Hence, the researchers’ implications for future
research in their management fields of concentration need elaboration. Implications are the
impact that research makes, whereas recommendations are specific actions that can then be
taken based on the findings, such as for more research or for policy making. High-quality
research articles that get many citations contain both implications and recommendations. For
instance, implications for the future means a possible future effect or result — like
considering the long-term implications of the new trade policies. The limitations of the
research have to be acknowledged, then follows the need to discuss some possible ways to
overcome these limitations in future studies. One way to do this is to present alternative
methodologies and ways to avoid issues with, or “fill in the gaps of” the limitations of this
study that has been presented. According to Robinson, (2014), there is need for development
of a framework to identify research gaps … so as to identify what the researchers are
implying for future research in their management fields of concentration. Just as
management, present research: conceptual gaps and future research.
Research Gap is identified by establishing the key motivating issue/question and key terms
associated with this issue through literature review the crucial publications identified, hunting
for these key terms and establishing relevant publications. To identify research gaps, it is
prudent to look for inspiration in published literature, consult research advisors, use digital
tools to seek out popular topics or most cited research papers, check the websites of

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influential journals, make a note of all queries and research each question, (Müller-Bloch &
Kranz, 2015). Thus, implying the need for timely identification of gaps so as to enrich
research/management/organizational structures. More so as Research gaps are particularly
useful for the advance of science, in general and having the means to develop a complete and
sustained study on it can be very beneficial for the scientist (or team of scientists),
notwithstanding how its new findings can positively impact the entire society. This is
achieved by development of research gap due to the design of the study's constraints, the use
of poor tools, or external influences that the study could or could not control. Research needs
can be viewed as gaps in knowledge, which will help expand the field of study. Research
gaps are particularly useful for the advance of science, in general. Finding a research gap and
having the means to develop a complete and sustained study on it can be very rewarding for
the scientist (or team of scientists), not to mention how its new findings can positively impact
our whole society, (ibid). In other words, research needs or gaps in knowledge are crucial in
the development of science thus significantly impinging on society. Therefore, management
team should define and analyze these gaps so as to create an action plan to propel the
organization ahead and fill in the performance gaps.

Conducting research is a process that begins with queries posed and new areas identified for
study and development based on previous research for the benefit of the numerous branches
of research. Wang, Chen and Yang (1994), defined a research gap as an area where lack of
information restricts the inference of a specific question. It is an area that inadequate research
information and the processes have caused a limit to the ability to reach a full proof
conclusion to a research question. The occurrence or presence of research gaps prevent policy
and decision makers from making the right decisions in their fields.This is because a research
gap represents a problem that has not gotten a satisfactory answer in a field of research.
Robinson, Saldanha and McKoy (2014), imply that research gaps can be attributed to
various reasons ranging from inaccurate information, partial or biased evidence including
unsuitable research procedures. However, identification of such research gaps presents a
chance to do new research/ enhanced research and also x-ray grey sections with substandard
evidence hence enabling the stakeholders in that field to identify the nature of questions that
need redress and the nature of studies to be done in the future to address these. The research
should have the capacity of transferability in terms of the findings to other industries because
the study was done in only one industry with many distinct peculiarities as expatiated by
Hennig-Thurau, (1997) when identifying research gaps created by poor application of

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research designs. When a research design incorporates only a small or limited section of an
industry, it becomes difficult to generalize the findings gotten in the research to the target
population as the results of the research may not apply to other sectors that were not
represented in the research because those sectors may have peculiar
challenges/characteristics. Ranaweera and Prabhu, (2022), concur by stating that use of a
single industry poses a research limitation as findings are not usually transferable.
Generalization, creates predictions about the possible transferability of results from a specific
study area to similar uninvolved areas in the study. Poor generalisability will occur should
the results of a study are unsuitable to be generally applied to varied cases. Therefore, it is
crucial for different areas/sectors to be involved in the research, so as to generalize the
results. Findings revealed a research gap akin to the lack of transferability of the findings of a
research in Germany to the United States and the study being done in German. This justifies
the necessity of doing similar research in other areas so as to harmonize the findings and
draw definite conclusions from the research, (World Journal of Advanced Research and
Reviews, 2022, 16(01), 575–579 577)

The configuration approach can in future, be beneficially used to close research gaps seen in
research. Myers (2014), also shares the same view as limiting the predictor variables in the
outcome’s measurement gave rise to the identification of the research gap. Thus, limiting the
independent variables also governs the extent of measurement achievement and the
differences in the research measures can be explained by the variables that were not
considered in the research. It follows that unavailability of useful data or information is
detrimental to successful drawing of research conclusion due to unresolved obscure issues. It
is prudent to closely evaluate variables so as to develop outcomes effectively. Despite
including all vital and pertinent independent variables.in future studies. Henig-Thurau
[2022], holds more research is necessary when evaluating the determinants of customer
orientation of service employees, the background of factors that influence customer
retention.

Research sampling, according to Mugo, (2021), refers to “the act, process, or technique
of selecting a suitable sample, or a representative part of a population for the purpose
of determining parameters or characteristics of the whole population. It is a very crucial
in the research process and when done properly helps researchers select the right samples for
the collection of data.” Attention, at this stage should be paid to the specified target

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population, the anticipated difficulties in choosing the sample, the likelihood of application of
wrong sampling method and getting a poor response rate or it could lead to sampling bias and
error.

A sampling error and bias will result if a sample representative of the whole population is not
selected. This will have a different result from a properly sampled research. Wiklund and
Shepherd (2022), indicated that survivor bias limited their research as when the set data
reflected only ‘surviving’ or ‘existing’ observations and disregarded past observations.
Hence, this may overestimate historical performance or general attributes of a research area.
Researchers acknowledged inadequacy of their sample frame since some of the sampled
firms went out of business during or before the study implying that information on factors
leading to the failure of the firms could have been missed. Thus, the research findings will be
valueless in avoidance of future failure as it can only be linked to existing firms. Research in
that area, will in future need to include failed or discontinued firms so as to ascertain why
their business failed, which calls for need for a representative sample in future research.
Myers, (2014), shows the research gap that came of using a wrong sampling method in
research which limited the generalization of the findings of the research as only participants
who volunteered to take part were considered despite belonging to a similar group. This type
of sampling is advantageous as it facilitates a very fast sample selection process, although the
resultant sample will not be representative. Henig-Thurau (2022), share same findings as
their sample was equally not representative of the entire researched population. Their sample
only used a quota sample, which made it difficult to make statistical inferences on the whole
population. By considering only one group of participants, I.e., the customer, negated the
knowledge base and research findings, unlike better results that could have been got if the
other groups of participants such as employees of the service, customer reps and employers
had been included. Hence, consideration of the said research gaps future research and
correction of errors will be in order if the stratified random sampling method were used.
Singh and Masuku (2023), posit that “stratified sampling technique leads to
representation of all the identified characteristics within a population,” as it will ascertain
that result gotten from the sample will be error free. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348884217

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In conclusion, a research gap denotes a research need, just like a missing link or an oversight
in one’s area of investigation which allows space for further investigation in the future. Miles
(2017), concurs that a gap is something that remains to be done or learnt in an area of
research; a gap in the knowledge of the researcher in the field of research. Most importantly,
it should be ensured that the implications in research are specific and that one’s tone reflects
the strength of their findings without exaggerating their results.
“There is no definite research gap process defined in the literature. The present research gap
process is based on five elements including identifying the research gap, methods of
identifying the research gap, feasibility of research gap, selection of research gap and
expected outcomes. Identifying the research gap in the literature is still debatable as there is
no consensus of opinion among researchers and academicians as how to identify the Author,”
_(Rayees Farooq,2018). “To identify the research gap, the investigator needs to prune down
his area of interest. it is important to formulate questions that need further investigation and
identify gaps in the literature that must be researched. First, you need to identify and select
relevant information sources, which will mean looking at books in the library, catalogs,
databases and on the Internet,”(ibid).

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 References
Dissanayake D.M.N.S.W. (2013) Research, research gap and the research problem.
Retrieved from
http://111.11.184.43/mpra.ub.unimuenchen.de/47519/1/MPRA_paper_47519.pdf
Miles, D. A.(2017). Taxonomy of Research Gaps: Identifying and Defining the Seven
Research Gaps. In Doctoral Student Workshop: Finding Research Gaps-Research
Methods and Strategies, Dallas, Texas.
Retrieved from:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319244623_
Article_Research_Research_Methods_and_Strategies_Workshop_A_Taxonomy_of_
Research_Gaps_Identifying_and_Defining_the_Seven_Research_Gaps
Robinson, K. A.,Saldanha, I. J., & Mckoy, N. A. (2011). Frameworks for determining
research gaps during systematic reviews. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Retrieved from http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/reports/final.cfm

Wang, Q., Wang, X., Chen, Y., & Yang, K. (2016). Research gap of guidelines might be an
important approach to prioritization (Letter commenting on: J Clin Epidemiology.
2015;
68: 341-6). Journal of clinical epidemiology, 69, pp.251-252. Retrieved from
https://www.jclinepi.com/article/S0895-4356(15)00234-6/pdfle will be reliable.
Ebube Chinwe Michael Nnaemeka Ajemba, 2022. Research Gaps for Future Research and
their Identification
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579
Article DOI: l0. 30574/wjarr.2022.16.1.1062
Tshidi M. Wyllie, 21 April, 2019.THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH GAPS.PhD
Candidate: UNICAF University.
. Henig-Thurau , (2022). Global Economy and Finance Journal Vol. 4. No. 1. March 2011
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The Influence of Customer Satisfaction and Switching Costs on Customer Retention:
Retail Internet Banking Service
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2022, 16(01), 575–579 Publication
history:
Received on 14 September 2022; revised on 15 October 2022; accepted on 18 October
2022 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2022.16.1.1062

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