Content Analysis of Postgraduate Theses About the Relationship Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Physical Activity in Türkiye in 2010-2023

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the postgraduate theses on the relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and physical activity registered at the YÖK National Thesis Center between the years 2010-2023 and to examine these theses using the headings of descriptive features, content and methodology. A total of sixty-one (61) theses, forty-four (44) master's theses and seventeen (17) doctoral theses, on the relationship between ASD and physical activity between the years 2010-2023 were included in the study. The data of the study were obtained by using the document review model, which is one of the qualitative research methods, and analyzed by the content analysis method. Within the scope of the findings obtained from the study, it is seen that the postgraduate theses were mostly published between the years 2019-2023 and most of them were completed at Gazi University. The findings obtained show that the master's (49.9%) and doctoral (47%) theses were mostly carried out in Health Sciences Institutes. Thirty-three (33) studies were conducted in the Department of Physical Education and Sports, including twenty-one (21) master's theses (47.7%) and twelve (12) doctoral theses (70.5%). In addition, four (4) master's theses (9%) and two (2) doctoral theses (11.7%) were conducted in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching. A total of twenty-seven (27) studies, nineteen (19) master's theses (41.3%) were conducted by advisors with the title of Assistant Professor, while ten (10) doctoral theses were conducted under the leadership of advisors with the title of Prof. Dr. (%47.6). The sample group of the master's and doctoral studies mostly consists of individuals/children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In addition, the sample group in master's theses (51.5%) and doctoral theses (28.2%) consisted of parents. Of the master's theses in the years 2014-2018 and 2019-2023, 29-30% were studies completed in the field of motor skills and 11-12% in the field of social skills. Of the doctoral theses in the years 2019-2023, 36.8% were studies completed in the field of motor skills and 15.7% in the field of social skills. It was seen that the examined master's and doctoral theses were mostly completed in metropolitan cities such as Istanbul and Ankara. Again, it was understood that postgraduate theses were mostly completed in special education and rehabilitation centers. Quantitative research was mostly applied in postgraduate theses (79.5% of master's degrees, 64.6% of doctoral studies) and the majority used the criterion sampling method (47.7% of master's degrees, 76.4% of doctoral studies). It was also seen that both master's and doctoral theses were conducted in experimental and case study research models. While test battery (41%) and scale (17.9) were used in master's theses, observation form (19.9) and scale (19.9) were used in doctoral theses. Finally, criterion sampling and random sampling methods were preferred in both master's and doctoral theses. As a result, it was seen that the studies completed on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) increased between 2019-2023 and focused especially on motor skills and social skills.