BIOL 696 Research Design and Ethics

Choose a Research Topic

1. Stay Updated: It's crucial to keep current on new content. Consider registering for updates to receive the latest publications. [Refer to the *About Alerts* tab for guidance on how to do this.]
   
2. Literature Exploration: Delve into literature reviews within your desired field of interest. These comprehensive overviews of existing research can guide you toward unexplored areas. [For a list of databases to search for literature reviews, check out the *Databases* tab.]

Identify Gaps in the Research

1. Understanding Gap Statements: Gap statements point out research questions that haven't been addressed in existing studies. By identifying these, you can find opportunities for your own research projects.

2. Where to Find Gap Statements:

• Start by looking at the most recent and most cited materials in your area. The conclusions or discussions sections of articles often highlight areas that require further exploration.
• Watch this short video, "Research Gap 101: What is a Research Gap & How to Find One"

3. Sources Rich in Gap Statements:

• Literature Reviews: These provide a broad overview of the existing research on a topic.
• Systematic Reviews: These are rigorous analyses of all relevant research on a particular topic, often used to determine the efficacy of a treatment or intervention.
• Meta-Analyses: These combine data from multiple studies to come to more solid conclusions.

4. Search Tips: When hunting for gap statements, consider adding these phrases to enhance your search results:

"Systematic Review"
 "Literature Review"

5. Formulating Your Research Question: Once you've identified unanswered questions in the literature, use them to craft your own research question and hypotheses. The right question can provide direction and focus for your entire project.