Dissertation Help, Do i find a gap in the literature?

[DoraDora]

My dissertation is going all wrong.

Basically, i just need to know

Is the aim of a dissertation to cover a gap in the literature?

My dissertation is on how backpackers use social media for their online travel search.
Yet pretty much all of the literature (there is a good amount) focuses on online travel search used by travellers as a whole. Its a new area so there is not specific research for each market group, such a backpackers.

I am going to explain who backpackers are, and then the ways travellers are suggested to use social media to search for travel information, explaining how, why etc. using secondary data.
then in my primary research use these online search travel suggestions to spcefically find out how backpackers use social media to travel search

inwhich i will make suggestions for the travel industry companies to better target backpackers through social media

[Sharon Dominguez]

Dissertations are not to fill in gaps in available literature. They are an exercise in proving that, as an academic, you are capable of asking a valid question which you then researched thoroughly,reaching appropriate conclusions and finally, publishing a proof of your synthesis of all those things in the form of adissertation.Along the way, your research proves, in a way, the validity of your question. It also shows your ability to find information, credit properly and then the actual writing shows that you can synthesize what you've researched--make it your own and then "teach" it to others by way of the writing in your dissertation. In most cases, dissertations, even when approved, are not considered valid sources of research information except in very special circumstances, so they wouldn't be able to fill in the gaps as you said. It's really mainly a way to show others and yourself that you are able to function satisfactorily in a highly academic endeavor within your particular area of study. Some dissertations do end up being useful; others simply collect dust on a shelf.