Abstract:

As throughout the world, distance education in Turkey is a subject of research and is addressed in master and doctoral studies. The main objective of this study is to make a content analysis of the master's and doctoral theses conducted in the University of Anadolu's Institute of Social Sciences' Distance Education Department's Distance Education Program. In this study, the theses, respectively; the year-by-year distribution, the theory based on and the topics discussed, the technology used in research, the research method, the pattern used, the data collection techniques, the participants of the research were studied in terms of variables. A total of 81 studies were conducted. The study was first assessed in which years the master’s and doctoral theses gained intensity. Secondly, it is seen which theoretical basis of the theses is based and the theories of learning are mainly studied. Thirdly, the theses have been evaluated in terms of the topics discussed, and it has been shown that it is trying to determine what the effects of mainly used technologies on learning processes are. He then looked at which technologies are used in the theses and attracted the attention of the most used online learning environments in the context of technology. In addition, the theses were mainly used in quantum research method and scan pattern. Finally, the practices were made with more students, and it was seen by teachers and experts.

Abstract:

In Turkey, same as all around the world, the number of dissertations and thesis focusing on different aspects of the field of distance education has been increasing tremendously. The main goal of this content analysis study was to examine the thesis and dissertations completed in Anadolu University Social Sciences Institute Distance Education Program. Theses and dissertations included in this study were investigated according to their topic, theoretical background, research methods, design, data collection tools, and participants. In this study, a content analysis of 81 theses was conducted. Analysis has shown that a significant majority of the studies focused on learner theories. Similarly, in a great deal of studies, topics chosen were related to the effects of educational media on learning processes. Quantitative approaches and survey designs are the primary research method and designs employed in these studies. Finally, it was observed that the practices were mostly carried out with undergraduate students, followed by faculty members and experts

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