Document Analysis of Postgraduate Theses on Teacher Candidates in Literacy Education: The Case of Türkiye

Abstract

The aim of this research is to reveal the general trends in postgraduate theses on literacy education in Turkey that address prospective teachers. The study was conducted on a total of 108 theses accessible in the YOK National Thesis Center, and the document analysis method was used. The theses were examined in terms of variables such as department, supervisor title, writing language, methodology used, and educational level. The findings show that the vast majority of theses are at the master's level and written in Turkish. It was determined that quantitative methods were preferred in the studies, but the use of mixed methods increased significantly in doctoral theses. In terms of supervisor titles, associate professors were prominent in master's theses, while professors were prominent in doctoral theses. When the departments were examined, it was determined that the majority of theses were concentrated in the fields of Turkish Language and Social Sciences and Mathematics and Natural Sciences. These findings reveal that research trends in the field show certain patterns in terms of methodology and institutional aspects. The study offers suggestions that can guide future research in the field of literacy education.