通常而言，锁定研究落差需经历阅读广泛的文献过程，不论是评述文献还是专攻单个科学问题的文章，以此可初步了解这一领域不同研究方向的最新进展。 LR在此过程中能构建出大的框架，每篇专攻单个问题的文献可带来灵感。通过比较LR所建立的框架和研究思路，便能挖掘出不易察觉的研究落差。
如何寻找研究落差？
①按时间顺序——由早期研究推及当前研究，寻找到重要的研究讨论；
②按主题分类——依据主题、理论模型进行归类，深入剖析文章并进行严格的批判；
③按研究方法——根据定性或者定量(尽量避免混用)的方式组织讨论。
如何撰写研究落差？
1.确定研究差距
借助上述思路，寻找到研究空白，识别出在哪个领域仍存在广阔的研究空间或重要价值。接着，借鉴前人的研究和理论，初步提出个人观点。
2.详尽的研究目标
这个环节需要设定明确的研究目标，通过广泛的阅读，专注于该领域的某些基础研究理论、方法等。然后围绕自身所定位的研究空白，从几个具体方面展开研究阐述，并进行简化描述。
3.论证个人观点
简单来说，就是找出论据证明个人观点的研究价值。为此，需基于前人的学术理论基础，并且融入自身的思考与见解，使其内涵得以深化，最好能为数据添补全貌，揭示其研究不足之处，进而转化为个人独立的研究。
4.研究综述
这个环节非常简单，只是细化表述研究目的与内容。是否进一步推进了这一领域的研究。清晰地表明你对自己发现的研究落差的理解。
注意事项
在寻找研究落差点时，文献不应过于陈旧。
在写作时一定要紧扣主题，以免前人理论牵着走。
研究落差表达常用句式——
强调以往研究的不足：
Most researchers have not yet taken into account the impact of
Reports have failed to resolve the contradiction between X and Y
Most research on X has been conducted in a limited field.
Identify weaknesses in a single study or paper.
The main problem with this experiment is
No attempt has been made to quantify the relationship between X and Y
The scope of this study is relatively narrow, focusing primarily on…
用理论或论点介绍问题和局限性：
Reports have failed to resolve the contradiction between X and Y
Jones’ understanding of the X framework seems dubious.
Theory X has been criticized on many levels.
Introduce problems and limitations in the method or practice.
The disadvantage of this approach is its reliance on… high demand
Another problem with this approach is that X is not taken into account
However, when trying to implement the policy, it faces many difficulties.
批评作者或作者的作品：
Smith insists that…, but ignores the factor of
Smith’s explanatory analysis has been called into question.
Smith’s multivariate analysis has received a lot of criticism.
Offer constructive suggestions:
If the study includes…, it is more attractive.
It would be more beneficial if these studies focused on…
If the researcher had asked…, the study would have seemed more relevant.
