If you’ve ever sat with a research topic for hours — staring, thinking, deleting paragraphs and rewriting them — just because you’re unsure whether you’re dealing with a research gap or a research problem, you’re not alone. Many postgraduate students struggle with this. And that confusion is costly. It leads to weak proposals, unclear problem statements, and rejected thesis topics.
Understanding the difference between research gap and research problem is one of the most critical steps in building a strong thesis. Get it right, and you’ll write with clarity and direction. Get it wrong, and your entire research may collapse like a house resting on sand.
This article will not only break down the difference in simple everyday language, it will also show you how to use both concepts to strengthen your research like a pro.
What Is a Research Gap?
A research gap is the missing piece in existing knowledge. It is the space in the literature that has not been explored, not fully answered, or overlooked entirely.
Think of it like a puzzle; the picture looks complete, but one spot is still empty. Something hasn’t been studied, solved, tested, or explained enough.
Examples of research gaps:
- A topic studied in Europe but not in Africa
- A theory applied in education but not in healthcare
- Data collected 20 years ago, with no new research updating it
- Contradicting findings from previous studies that need clarification
In simple terms:
A research gap = a missing knowledge area that your study wants to fill.
What Is a Research Problem?
A research problem is the specific issue that arises because the research gap exists. It is what you want to solve, analyze, or understand through your study.
University of Southern California says it’s a clear statement that identifies an issue, gap, or challenge in existing knowledge, practice, or theory—highlighting something that needs to be better understood, improved, or solved through research.
The research problem focuses on what is wrong or lacking in practice or literature that needs attention.
Examples of research problems:
- Lack of updated data leads to poor policy decisions
- Teachers are using outdated teaching methods due to limited research
- No existing model addresses challenges in remote work efficiency
So:
A research problem = the issue that needs investigation because a gap exists.
READ ALSO: How to Identify Research Gaps for Your Thesis
Side-by-Side Comparison
Sometimes, seeing both concepts in a table clears the confusion instantly.
| Element | Research Gap | Research Problem |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Missing or insufficient knowledge in existing studies | The issue resulting from that missing knowledge |
| Focus | What has not been studied | What needs to be solved or addressed |
| Uses | Justifies why research should be done | Defines what the research seeks to achieve |
| Source | Literature review, past studies, theories | Real-world challenges or academic needs |
| Outcome | Leads to research problem | Becomes the foundation for research questions |
How Research Gap and Research Problem Work Together
One does not exist without the other. First comes the gap, then comes the problem, like cause and effect.
Step-by-step sequence:
- You explore literature
- You discover what is missing (Gap)
- You identify why that missing knowledge is a problem (Research problem)
- You design research to solve that problem
Here’s a quick illustration:
If there is limited research on how remote work affects employee creativity in Nigerian tech companies (Research Gap),
then
The problem becomes: Managers lack guidance on how to create work structures that boost creativity (Research Problem).
Now your thesis is not vague. it has meaning, direction, justification, and value.
How to Use Both to Build a Strong Thesis
1. Start with a literature review
Read widely. Compare findings. Look for what is missing, outdated, or contradictory.
2. Write down what hasn’t been studied
That’s your research gap.
3. Explain why that gap matters
What effect does it have on knowledge or real-life practice?
That explanation reveals your research problem.
4. Transform the problem into research questions/objectives
Now your thesis has a spine — strong, logical, defensible.
READ ALSO: How to Write a Strong Problem Statement for Your Research Proposal
Real Example Breakdown
Imagine you’re researching digital learning adoption in rural universities.
| Stage | Output |
|---|---|
| Gap | Few studies on digital learning adoption in rural Nigerian universities |
| Problem | Lack of research leads to slow adoption and poor student performance |
| Research Question | What factors affect digital learning adoption in rural universities? |
| Objective | To examine barriers to digital learning adoption and propose solutions |
This is how clarity is built.
A research gap makes your study relevant; a research problem makes it necessary.
One justifies why research is worth doing, while the other defines what you will do.
Common Mistakes Students Make
❌ Using gap statements as problem statements
❌ Claiming “no study exists” without evidence
❌ Identifying vague gaps like “few studies” without referencing past work
❌ Stating a problem that doesn’t arise from literature
❌ Writing problems too broad for a single thesis
Your goal is to be specific, evidence-backed, and logically structured.
How to Validate Your Research Gap and Research Problem
A valid research gap should:
- Be proven with citations
- Not just assumed or guessed
- Show an actual missing perspective
A valid research problem should:
- Be clear, focused, and researchable
- Lead naturally to research questions
- Be solvable within your time & resources
If a statement doesn’t pass these checks, refine further.
READ ALSO: The Different Types of a Literature Review (And How To Choose What Fits Your Study)
Conclusion
Many thesis topics fail not because students didn’t work hard, but because their foundation was weak.
A strong thesis needs both:
A gap to justify its existence
A problem to give it purpose
Understand them, define them well, and your research journey becomes smoother.
