The term “gap” refers to the space between “where we are” (the present state) and where “we want to be” (the target state).
Gap analysis assesses the differences between the actual and expected performance in an organization or a business. It can also be called a need analysis, need assessment, or need-gap analysis. Gap analysis can be performed at a Strategic Level or at an Operational Level.
From a research perspective, (regarding research gap)- focus on the approaches to find research gaps (to make your study publishable in a "good" journal)
- The Research Gap is the problem that researcher would want to see addressed in the research;
- What is “missing” or What is “NOT addressed”
- The question or problem that has not been answered appropriately or at all in the area of specialization
- Identifying gaps and generating research questions can be regarded as the 1st & most important step in writing a research paper