WRITING A THESIS IN A PANDEMIC: THE CASE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of Covid-129 pandemic on the thesis writing processes of academicians working in the field of special education. The research was conducted with a phenomenological approach from qualitative research methods. Purposive sampling was used to determine the participants in the study. The participants of the study were 11 research assistants who completed their doctoral studies in the Department of Special Education. Research data were collected through semi-structured interviews and researcher's diary. The data obtained were analyzed using content analysis and eight themes were reached. The themes are; I should continue with this topic, I insisted on my method, I had difficulty finding participants, how was my data collection process affected, how was my reporting phase, what did my advisor do, how did other factors affect my research, and if the pandemic happens again. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in academic studies as in every field. Academics tried to eliminate the problems they experienced with distance education platforms and individual solutions and to complete the process with minimal disruption. It is recommended that studies be conducted to identify, implement and disseminate methods that can be used to overcome similar processes more easily in future research.