This paper gives an insight into the practical process of identifying the research philosophy, methods and research topic by doctoral students. The paper draws from personal experiences on the dilemma and challenges of the doctoral research process in the tourism management. I argue that finding the gap in the literature is a journey negotiated with the literature until the final days of the doctoral thesis. However, not all my experiences are captured in this paper. Therefore, it cannot be claimed that all experiences that doctoral students go through were evaluated, especially that the paper is based on the account of one person - myself. Other students may have different experiences. The significance of this paper is that it identifies the ways in which doctoral studies evolve and identifies further research opportunities in multi-disciplinary research in tourism.