How to identify a research gap EASILY [Sanity-saving tools]

In this video, I share with you my process for identifying research gaps and all of the sanity-saving tools that you can use to find them easily.

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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 – introduction
0:17 – concluding remarks
1:55 – Google scholar trick
4:06 – ask a researcher
5:29 – Online apps
6:24 – look for conflicting ideas

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▼ ▽ TOOLS

[me]

My father is a professor, and upon showing him this, he just said, "if you can't find a bubble, make one". That's a response that I found unexpected. He explained it as understanding how people think in a certain field, and approaching it with a different thought process. For example, when working with viruses, bacteria, DNA, and proteins, biologists approach the project in a certain way, one that is absolutely different from how a physicist or engineer would. I've been doing a couple of projects with him by taking biologists' problems and approaching them as an electrochemist and materials engineer (those are my backgrounds), and I've gotten some slightly interesting results. Hell, we even developed some novel instruments to do research with.

[openabox]

Thank you, that's really insightful. I hadn't realized I was focusing on the wrong aim when thinking about research gaps until I saw this.

[bionasard]

Love the tip on using "promising results" - will save me from tens of hours on reading through literature reviews!

[omegab]

I started using Connected Papers after one of your videos, and I have come back to say Thank you so much for telling us about such a powerful tool ! I appreciate your continued commitment to support current and prospective graduate students, especially in Chemistry all around !

[dtn]

I LOVE you!!! My gosh, I do not have the words to say how much you helped me with this video.

I am going to apply for a Ph.D. program at the end of the year and I always felt terrified when thinking about what would I write about. Like a deer looking into the headlight!! And I already dropped out from a Ph.D. program where, among other things, no one cared to say how the %uck to do that. This video is already on my favorite list.

Thank you very much!!!

[riyamehta]

I've been seeing your lectures for a long time. As a perspective PhD student, I get so many helpful tips and tricks on how to be an ideal student and what should and should not be done. Thank you so much for all your videos. Rooting for more.

[amanisaad]

I used to look for the most recent questions and discussion about my field on the Research Gate, and I could find lots of valuable research questions and directions. Thanks a lot for everything you are posting on your channel 🌹🌹

[beverly]

Thank you, Andy!
I got absolutely stuck as in the Arts everything has been researched, and it is challenging to come up with something unique.

I love this channel.
I want to apply to a PhD program next year and I'm trying to get ready as much as I can, this channel has been so helpful in this process.

Thanks Andy!

[adamstk]

Woah! This was super helpful. I was having sleepless nights identifying how to go about finding a research gap and you just saved me a ton of trouble. You got a sub man!

[DJ_BROBOT]

thanks for this...you helped me on my doctoral dissy in further defining the gap I am looking for. My program heads often talk about the 'gap' but many times this confuses the heck outta me because its like youre searching for a needle in a haystack among the research, In you saying to look at this as the tendrils coming from known research has really helped me to conceptualize my work better, especially when it comes to my literature review.

[Heyuher]

"Research tendrils" ‐- what a great and less-intimidating way to put it!

[vishakabasnayake]

Great Video! Very helpful! Keep doing more videos!

[capricorner]

thank you for this video! I'm currently finishing my undergrad and working on writing a grant to fund my grad school. I've always had trouble identifying the gaps in knowledge, I can't wait to try these techniques :)

[rmayerCPA]

I have started using your recommendations to use google scholar. Great ideas. Thanks

[whatsinterrishead]

Watched this a second time and learned even more. I appreciate your videos. Good info.

[scottdawson]

I really appreciate these videos. I start graduate school in a few weeks!

[t.m.valadares]

Thank you for sharing. It is like you said … it can be hard to find a gap and less difficult to push the knowledge a bit further in a new direction or angle of examination 🙃

[thecatthatateaflyinduoling]

this video should be sold in millions of $$s honestly

[danielmartin]

Your channel is a straight cheat code lol Thanks a lot buddy