Spotting gaps in the research literature is the chief way of identifying research questions. In this context, ‘spotting gaps’ in the research literature refers to : (a) Identifying under-researched areas (b) Recognizing the gap between two researchers’ background (c) Identifying inconsistent findings in an area of research (d) Recognizing gap in the characteristics of sample and population Select correct option :
(a) and (c) only
'Spotting gaps' in the research literature means finding where existing research is missing or unsettled, so that a new research question can be framed. Test each option against that meaning.
Statement (a) is correct. Identifying under-researched areas — topics that have received little or no attention — is a direct example of a literature gap that a new study can fill.
Statement (c) is correct. Recognising inconsistent or contradictory findings across studies is also a genuine gap: unresolved disagreement signals a question that still needs answering.
Statement (b) is incorrect. A gap between two researchers' personal backgrounds is about the people, not about the knowledge in the literature, so it is not a research gap.
Statement (d) is incorrect. A mismatch between sample and population characteristics is a sampling/methodological limitation of a study, not the kind of literature gap meant here.
Only (a) and (c) describe gaps in the research literature. Hence, the answer is (a) and (c) only.
Similar Questions
Which of the following are the steps in systematic review of literature?
A. Search for archival records
B. Define the purpose
C. Assess the relevance of selected studies
D. Identify the quality of each study
E. Interview the authors of each study selectedChoose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :
Which one of the following represents the correct order of sequence for reading skills in the context of research?
A college teacher presents a research paper in a seminar. The research paper cites references which are pretty old. This situation will be described as the case of
A good review of research literature aims at:
Which stage in research creates a working thesis for the research paper by specifying and organizing the category of information?
The purpose of review of literature includes:
(a) To understand the subject background
(b) To formulate research questions
(c) To find out relevant methodology
(d) To debate the ethical aspects of research
(e) To carry out meta-analysis of bibliography
(f) To identify the data sourcesWhen planning to do as social research, it is better to
Important Questions from Literature Review
Which of the following are the characteristics of ratio level data?
A. Unequal spacing
B. Negative scores
C. Equal spacing
D. Increasing or decreasing order
E. Absolute zero point
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Operational definitions are used to get the meaning of abstract concepts.
Statement II: Operational definitions do not define how a variable is measured.
In the light of the given statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Which of the following is NOT a source of History on the basis of availability?
- Phase of evaluation which establishes the authenticity of the source is called
Classification of data on the basis of income, production, weight etc. is known as
