The Content Analysis of PhD Thesis Completed in the Field of Curriculum Development (1974-2009)

The purpose of this study is to analyze the completed PhD theses in the field of Curriculum Development (CD) in accordance with various variables. Within the scope of the research, it is aimed to analyze all PhD theses conducted in Turkey in the field of CD until 2009 and 263 doctoral dissertations are analyzed according to the specified guidelines. By using the content analysis, PhD theses were analyzed according to some variables such as the subjects of the theses, the gender of the researchers, the years of the researches, universities, the design and method used in the studies. According to the research results, it was observed that the PhD studies in the field of CD frequently include theses based on the effects of teaching and learning approaches on academic achievement and attitudes, the application of teaching and learning styles and strategies, teacher education and curriculum evaluation studies follow these. It was also found that the gender of researchers were almost equall, universities like Hacettepe, METU and Ankara had got more dissertations and the number of dissertations were more increased last ten years in the field of CD. In addition to, researches successively include primary education, education faculties and other higher education programs. The experimental and descriptive researchs are almost equally preferred more frequently compared to other research designs.