Utilization of Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks: An Analysis of National Mathematics Education Theses Published in 2019-2023

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the use of theoretical and conceptual frameworks in master's and doctoral theses published in the field of mathematics education in Turkiye between 2019 and 2023. For this purpose, a total of 237 master's and doctoral theses downloaded from the Council of Higher Education national thesis center were analyzed within the scope of the method and the framework used. Given that master's and doctoral theses in the field of mathematics education were reviewed, the document analysis method was utilized. The theses were analyzed based on characteristics: methodology (quantitative, qualitative, mixed research paradigm) and framework (theoretical, conceptual, theoretical and conceptual, other). In the analysis phase, the distribution of theses according to types and years was also examined. The findings indicated that the majority of thesis studies were conducted using a qualitative method within a theoretical framework. This was followed by quantitative studies using a theoretical framework and mixed-method studies within a theoretical framework. Additionally, there were qualitative studies classified under other and qualitative studies using a conceptual framework. The qualitative thesis studies using the theoretical framework were predominant and that these were mostly master's theses and published in 2023. The findings were discussed in the light of the relevant literature and suggestions were made for future research.