Video summary

PAANO MATUTUKOY ANG MGA GAPS SA RESEARCH || RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / lessons conveyed

  • Identify research gaps first so you can later craft a clear and meaningful statement of the problem.
  • Your study should add something to the field—either by showing what is missing (gaps/lack) or by addressing unclear/missing understanding in existing work.
  • A research proposal is often rejected when it doesn’t clearly justify why the research is necessary or when reviewers cannot see that there isn’t already a more urgent/appropriate study covering the same need.
  • To find gaps, you must rely on evidence, not just a feeling that the topic “needs to be studied.”
  • Research gaps can come from:
    1. Lack of studies
    2. Studies that exist but are insufficient/unclear
    3. Conflicting views/disputes among findings or scholars

Method / step-by-step instructions (detailed)

  1. Begin with the purpose

    • Don’t create the problem statement first; instead, find the research gap.
    • Ensure your topic is meaningful by contributing to what the field lacks or does not yet explain clearly.
    • Avoid unnecessary repetition of others’ work unless their concepts are vague or lack clarity.

  2. Justify the need for your study

    • Prepare a rationale strong enough that:
      • It shows why the study should be done, and
      • It demonstrates that there isn’t already a study that better covers the same need.
    • Note: proposals may be rejected if they fail to explain the practical reason and necessity.

  3. Use sources to locate gaps

    • Read research journals, theses, and literature.
    • Don’t rely on intuition; make sure the gap is supported by evidence.

  4. Find the gap using one or more of these patterns

    • #1: Lack of studies
      • There are few or no studies on your topic:
        • In both local and foreign contexts, or
        • In the Philippines compared to other countries, or
        • In your region/province, district, or specific school/community (i.e., the topic may be studied elsewhere but not in your exact setting).
    • #2: Many studies, but the understanding is unclear
      • Even if numerous studies exist, a gap can still be present if:
        • The methodology is questionable or incorrect
        • The sample used is inappropriate
        • The variables studied are wrong, missing, or incomplete
        • The time period/length of the study is insufficient or not comparable
    • #3: Conflicting or disputed views
      • A gap exists when different researchers/authors disagree or there are competing claims.
      • You can study why these differing views occur and how to work toward a more complete picture.

  5. Translate the gap into a statement of the problem

    • After identifying the gap through literature review, develop a worthwhile statement of the problem.
    • Place this in the introduction/rationale.
    • Suggested phrasing ideas (as mentioned in the subtitles, paraphrased):
      • “There are few local studies focusing on this variable…”
      • “This important concept is not sufficiently clear in reviewed studies…”
      • “There are numerous studies at some level, but fewer or none at this specific level…”
    • Support your rationale with existing studies and evidence.

  6. Also read conclusions and recommendations

    • To make your paper easier to strengthen, review what authors conclude and recommend—these often point to unresolved issues and future research needs.

Speakers / sources featured

  • Teacher Danny (speaker; introduces the vlog)
  • Dr. Randel d’Esto (credited as the inspiration/anchor for the ideas presented)

Original video