Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Research Gaps

Dr Madhura Mandlik, Senior Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Seth GS Medical college and KEMH, Mumbai

The word research finds its roots in the old French word recerchier, which is a combination of re- and cerchier or sercher, meaning “search”. Research has what has got mankind to this pinnacle, because it not only teaches us to question what exists but also to find new meaning. Searching for answers and innovation which stems from research is the backbone of science and technology. As emerging clinicians, it is crucial that we are embrace research early on, as today’s practise is ruled by evidence-based medicine.

However, research remains a dauting subject, where the inspiration to find out new things, eventually sizzles out. But, a question comes to ones mind, how to come up with new ideas? Something that you perceived to be new, might have been extensively researched already. So we constantly need to be updating yourselves! Seems difficult, right? It need not be, though.

Here are a few ideas that may lead to your moment!

•Read journals:

Innumerable journals publish articles related to new and upcoming research. They include clinical trials, meta-analysis, systematic reviews and case reports.

Some journals are open access and can be read for free, while, some are not. Gain access through your institute or medical school, or seek help of a mentor or senior to help getting access.

Some notable journals are: The Lancet, The New England journal of Medicine, Nature, JAMA, JACC, AJOG, BJOG, TOG, EHJ and so on and so forth.

Always look at the references cited, as they would give your , not only similar studies, but new ideas as well.

•Up to date:

Up to date has supported clinicians to get apt recommendations for clinical dilemmas.  

Research has shown that incorporating the use of Up to date was beneficial for clinical decision making.

Up to date can help you come up with new research ideas as well.

Always look at all the meta-analysis, reviews and references cited.

•Attend conferences:

Always be on the look out for conferences of your field of interest.

Lectures, orations and workshops organised in such conferences are a repertoire of new ideas!

Latest research is showcased in the form of poster or paper presentations

It is also a very good opportunity to interact with peers and seniors and have meaningful communication.

•Read Guidelines:

All subjects in medicine have major societies, who put forth guidelines for clinical management  

For example Obstetrics and Gynaecology has eminent societies like American college of Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ASRM, ESHRE who keep on publishing and updating guidance of clinical relevance

These guidelines include recommendations with grades given beside the guideline

And to understand recommendations grades, level of evidence needs to be studied.

Grades of B and C are areas which can lead you to new research avenues.

Given below are the grades of recommendation and level of evidence for RCOG guidelines

•Talk to mentors, professors and seniors:

1. Everyone has a particular skill set and field of interest.
2. Talking and discussing your want to research can help gain invaluable insight and aid you come up with your research question.
3. I know, sometimes it seems scary to approach a senior, but academic discussion is always welcome.

It is crucial, to not only keep an open mind, but also open eyes and ears. Your mind has to be alert to comprehend what is discussed and open to new ideas. And your eyes and ears, sharp to pick up the jitter. Inquisitiveness is the cake, but presence of mind is the icing on top of it.