Finding The Gaps in Doctoral Research

Here is actual footage of what identifying gaps in the literature have been like so far.



The process has taken us through gathering resources, annotating and organizing but there are too many questions, too many gaps, too many choices to make and right now, they all seem legitimate. But which is most important? It might be too early to say that any of them might be “that one question”, the Holy Grail of research. I must choose wisely.

“A literature review should demonstrate that it represents the latest work done in the subject area” (Galvin and Galvin, P. 62). As one considers which part of the outline constitutes background material that builds the case for the topic, those gaps are more easily, more readily addressed. Some are simply identified and filled by this or that book from the shelf. Other gaps are filled by looking into unpublished work. Regardless, following the map of the outline toward the application of the topic, textbook instruction becomes more weighty and some areas that seemed to be well supported suddenly reveal weaknesses, gaps. Perhaps another way to look at it is that many resources gathered thus far were for the exercise of learning to gather and record material. Now after some sifting and filtering, the less important is discarded and more meaningful material is needed. Regardless, when one weighs the latest work on the subject and the direction of intent, the “deep gap” is becoming more evident.

Considering that some connection must be made between Marcus Aurelius’ personal writings in his Meditations and the ministry of Christian leadership, the journey is becoming deep and arduous, in a manner of speaking. There is plenty of research on the man and his writing, and there is bountiful material in the subject area of leadership. There is also enough information on philosophy and theology and the harmony of the two. What is not being seen at present is a direct connection of Meditations to Christian leadership. So one will venture that direction to see what he finds.

“Mind the gap” as they say!

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Galvan, Jose L. and Melisa C. Galvan. 2017. Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. 7th ed. New York: Routledge