What exactly is a gap in the literature? Why is it important? How do you find it? How do you ensure that you
sufficiently justify your selection of a research problem based on a gap? In this second Discussion, you will
consider what it means to determine a gap in the literature and why that becomes the cornerstone of your
research problem.
To prepare for this Discussion:
Review the video Identifying Gaps in the Literature.
Review the resources found on the Walden University Writing Center: “Basics of Literature Reviews.”
Review the blog post “Defining a Gap in the Literature: On Proving the Presence of an Absence.”
Consider what it means to find a gap in the literature.
By Day 3
Post by Day 3 a response to the following:
What does it mean to find a gap in the literature?
Why is it important that a gap in the literature be identified to support your research problem? Justify your
response.
Here are the required reading that you need for the discussion as well as the reference page:
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Stadtlander, L. M. (2015). Finding your way to a Ph.D.: Advice from the dissertation mentor. CreateSpace
Independent Publishing Platform.
Chapter 1, “The Dissertation” (pp. 1–10)
Martinez, S. (n.d.). How to write an effective literature review. Retrieved June 5, 2016, from
http://www.dphu.org/uploads/attachements/books/books_71_0.pdf
McIndoo, T. (2014, July 8). Defining a gap in the literature: On proving the presence of an absence [Blog post].
Walden University Writing Center. Retrieved from
http://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/2014/07/defining-gap-in-literature-on-proving.html
Patterson, J. (2012, February 16). When is a literature review a literature review? [Blog post]. Walden
University Writing Center. Retrieved from
http://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/2012/02/when-is-literature-review-literature.html
Walden University Writing Center. (2015b). Basics of literature reviews. Retrieved from
http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/assignments/literaturereview
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2016). Identifying gaps in the literature [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 10 minutes.
Sample Solution
