---
name: research-gap-analysis
title: Identify Genuine Gaps in the Existing Literature
description: Distinguish a real research gap from an under-searched question, and state precisely what evidence would close it.
keywords:
- level:L0
- scientific-method
---

A gap is a claim about the literature, not about memory: it holds only after
`paper-search` has covered the relevant terms, synonyms, and adjacent
literatures and still found nothing. State the search that was performed and
its scope before asserting an absence.

Separate three different situations that get called "gaps": no prior work
exists on the question; prior work exists but does not cover the specific
material, condition, or scale in question; and prior work is contradictory or
inconclusive. Each implies a different next step (novel contribution,
bounded-scope extension, or a study designed to resolve the contradiction).

State what evidence would close the gap and what method could produce it —
a gap analysis that ends at "more research is needed" without naming the
specific missing measurement or comparison is not actionable.

Return the identified gaps by type, the search evidence behind each, and the
specific measurement, method, or comparison that would close each one.