Analysis of the graduate theses in the field of reading interest, attitudes and habits: the sample of YOK and proquest databases

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate thesis and dissertation carried out in the issues of reading interest, attitudes and habits at primary education by analyzing the graduate studies. The data of this study restricted by graduate theses carried out at primary education level between the 2000 and 2012 years and the data obtained from YOK (National Theses Center) and ProQuest (Dissertations and Theses) databases. The data of this study were collected by using qualitative approaches and document analysis was used in the study. Content analysis was performed on the data of the study. The results of this study revealed that graduate theses carried out in Turkey were generally at master's degree and survey method was used. As the data collection tools attitude scales, surveys, and achievement tests was used in these studies. The samples of these studies were generally consisted of primary school students in the 4th and 5th grades. The findings obtained from of the ProQuest database showed that, graduate theses were usually carried out at the Ph.D.level and experimental approaches was used. As the data collection tools qualitative data collection techniques such as observations, interviews were given more importance. The samples of these studies generally were consisted of parents, school administrators and teacher candidates.