Abstract:

The issue of using research methods in Ph.D. theses, known as advanced studies of postgraduate education in the field of tafsir, is controversial. Compared to other social sciences, it is argued that specialists in tafsir do not use research methods sufficiently. Not only tafsir, but also other fields of Basic Islamic Sciences are considered problematic in terms of research methods and techniques. This research aims to examine the methodological status of Ph.D. theses completed between the years 2018-2021. It examines 116 completed Ph.D. theses in the field of tafsir from the YÖKTEZ database. The goal is to identify the methods used in these theses and the issues that need to be developed. In order to collect data for the research, a comprehensive form is created to examine the methodology sections of the theses. In the process of examining the tafsir Ph.D. theses, descriptive analysis and cross-sectional scanning methods are used. First of all, the descriptive status of the theses examined in the research is presented. Thus, prominent universities, whether students are local or foreign, and the titles of consultants are pointed out. Then, the method sections of the Ph.D. theses are discussed. In this context, the research problem, subject, purpose, importance and limitations in the Ph.D. theses are analyzed statistically according to the results obtained from the thesis review form. The main research question and sub-research questions are based on the research problem section, while the purpose, importance and limitations are emphasized. In addition, the literature review, specifying the universe and sample are examined in the theses. At this stage, studies that do not come into contact with the literature or do not evaluate the sources are analyzed separately. Theses that do not evaluate the literature despite mentioning the sources are evaluated under the title of "partially". Finally, the related theses are handled according to the research methods and techniques. While analyzing Ph.D. theses, research methods are touched upon according to the findings obtained from the thesis examination form. The methods used in these theses are discussed under titles such as document review, observation, literature review, descriptive analysis, content analysis, discourse analysis, historical research, comparison, qualitative research, quantitative research, mixed methods and theoretical/applied methods. In addition to these, attention is drawn to other methods such as etymological analysis, linguistic exegesis, rhetoric, thematic tafsir, literary tafsir, scientific tafsir, verification and semantics. Since these methods are not commonly used in social sciences, they are discussed under the title of "other". Ultimately, tafsir Ph.D. theses are evaluated in terms of data collection and data analysis techniques as well as issues related to methodology. Suggestions for the improvement and development of these theses are also presented. Within the scope of data collection techniques, Ph.D. theses are evaluated in terms of techniques such as questionnaire, achievement tests, document review forms, literature reviews and scales in the thesis review form. In terms of data analysis, Ph.D. theses are evaluated in terms of techniques such as ANOVA, descriptive analysis, frequency/percentage analysis, chi-square analysis, correlation analysis, t-tests and Tukey tests. In terms of data collection techniques, the most used techniques and never used techniques in tafsir Ph.D. theses are determined. In data analysis techniques, techniques that have not been used in tafsir Ph.D. theses are pointed out. Ultimately, the current state of tafsir Ph.D. theses is presented through specific examples, and suggestions for the compensation are provided to address the deficiencies in the status of these theses and promote their development.

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