Question

When reviewing the literature and different types of evidence, there are often gaps in the findings. Are such gaps a help or a hindrance when wanting to create a change?

Answer 1

Research gap

A diligent inquiry or examination to seek or revise facts, principles, theories, applications etc is called a research. When reviewing the literature ( during ' Systematic review ' )and different types of research evidence, there are often gaps in the results. The gap may be in the area of research literature ; an area that is not yet explored or it the gap might be in the evidences oe findings due to insufficient information or biased data.

When wanting to create some change, the gap existing in literature and in evidences, act as a hindrance to the policy makers, practitioners and patients. Because these gaps in the research restrict the decision making capacity of Change agents such as policymakers or practitioners. Gap in the evidences and findings affect the conclusion deriving from the research and it will not fit for implementation. It limit the evidence based practice also.

(In another point of view, the research gaps , after identifying, can serve as a research problem, that has to be in need of doing further study. So it can act as a basis for the new research, if 'finding and filling the research gap' is useful for the profession. Then in that situation this gap is helpful. )