Content analysis of master theses and dissertations based on action research

Abstract

Action Research (AR) is becoming popular in the field of education, and according to literature, it could be stated that AR studies have positive influence on practice in education. The present study aims at conducting content analysis of action research (AR) master theses and doctoral dissertations submitted at the level of Turkish higher education. A total of 10 master theses and 18 doctoral dissertations were analyzed to determine their action research type, keywords, theoretical framework, academic discipline, test and analysis, data collection tools, participants, variables and research interest and leader institutions. Furthermore, the action research purposes of these theses and dissertations were analyzed with qualitative methods. In this respect, the present study is thought to be significant in that by reviewing the action research theses/dissertations, it helps clarify the current status of the action research field in Turkey and determine the research trends in this area. As a result, more than half (57%) of theses/dissertations were determined to fall into the “Technical/scientific/collaborative” type. Besides, in relation to theoretical frameworks, “constructivism” was found to be dominant in the theses/dissertations analyzed. Interview and participant observation notes were the most popular data collection tools. Lastly, according to their statements of purpose, the theses/dissertations could be gathered under 3 themes: “development”, “actualization”, and “application”.