Literature-Review Gap Statement
A focused gap-statement paragraph identifying what the literature leaves unanswered and positioning the current study.
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What you get
A precise gap-statement paragraph in a neutral scholarly voice, identifying what the literature leaves unanswered and positioning the current study, delivered in text format.
Who it's for
- PhD students writing a statement of purpose
- Researchers conducting literature reviews
- Academics preparing research proposals
- Postgraduate students working on dissertations
- Scholars writing journal articles
Use cases
- Conducting a literature review for a research project
- Writing a dissertation or thesis
- Preparing a research proposal for funding
- Publishing a journal article or academic paper
- Identifying gaps in existing research for a new study
FAQ
what should a literature review gap statement include
A literature review gap statement should include what the field has established, the specific gap in current research, why the gap matters, and how the current study addresses it. This is typically conveyed in a single paragraph.
how do i write a literature review gap statement
To write a literature review gap statement, start by summarising what the field has established, then identify the specific gap in current research, explain why the gap matters, and finally describe how the current study addresses it, all in a neutral scholarly voice.
what is a gap statement in a literature review
A gap statement in a literature review is a paragraph that identifies what the literature leaves unanswered and positions the current study, highlighting the specific gap in current research and its significance.
how long should a literature review gap statement be
A literature review gap statement is typically a single paragraph, focusing on clearly and concisely stating the gap in current research and its importance, without unnecessary elaboration.
Last updated: 2026-06-28