Content Analysis in Scientific Research: Meta-Analysis, Meta-Synthesis, and Descriptive Content Analysis

Abstract

Considering the research methods of the studies in the field of educational sciences, it can be stated that studies follow similar research steps or phases though using different terminology to refer to these steps. While such differentiated use of terminology is significantly fewer in research designs such as experimental or descriptive, there has been an increase in such misuse in the studies utilizing content analysis design and the literature in the field reveals interchangeable use of terms like technique, design, and method. Reviewing the literature reveals mistakes in the use of content analysis since it is not only a method of research but a method of data analysis as well. In this respect, the present study aims to define and group the approaches on content analysis as one of the frequently discussed and confused concept. Following an extensive literature review, the study attempts to define content analysis and to categorize various approaches related. The categories include meta-analysis, meta-synthesis, and descriptive content analysis. Lastly, the issues that researchers need to pay special attention are highlighted.

Keywords

• Content analysis
• Meta-analysis
• Meta-synthesis

Eğitim Bilimleri Araştırmalarında İçerik Analizi: Meta-Analiz, Meta-Sentez, Betimsel İçerik Analizi

Abstract

Eğitim bilimlerine ilişkin çalışmaların araştırma yöntemleri incelendiğinde, aynı işlem basamaklarına ve tanımlara sahip birçok yöntemin farklı isimlendirmelerle kullanıldığı görülmektedir. Deneysel, tarama modeli gibi araştırma yöntemlerinde bu farklılıklar görülmemesine rağmen içerik analizi ile ilgili tanım farklılıklarının oldukça fazlalaştığı; teknik, desen ve yöntemlerin birbirlerinin yerine sıklıkla kullanıldığı literatürde görülmektedir. İçerik analizinin hem araştırma yöntemi hem de veri analizi olması nedeniyle bu kullanımlarda hatalar yapıldığı literatürde görülmektedir. Literatürde tanım ve süreç olarak tartışmalı olan içerik analizinin tanımlanarak, yaklaşımlarının sınıflanması bu çalışmanın amacını oluşturmaktadır. Bu amaç çerçevesinde literatür taraması yapılarak içerik analizinin tanımı, yaklaşımları gruplanmıştır. Bu yaklaşımlar meta-analiz, meta-sentez ve betimsel içerik analizi olarak gruplanmıştır. Son olarak çalışma sonunda bu yaklaşımlar ile ilgili dikkat edilmesi gereken noktalar belirtilmiştir.

Keywords

• İçerik analizi
• Meta-analiz
• Meta-sentez

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