Descriptive Content Analysis of Research on Cognitive Structures in Science Education in Turkey

Year 2025, Issue: 58, 153 - 168, 08.09.2025

Hasene Esra Yıldırır , Nesrin Kızmaz

https://doi.org/10.33418/education.1538016

Abstract

In this study, the trends of cognitive structure researches published in the field of science education in Turkey were identified. A descriptive analysis of 156 studies (113 articles, 34 postgraduate theses and 9 proceeding papers) published between 2003 and 2023 was carried out using document analysis method. These studies were accessed from the National Thesis Centre of the Council of Higher Education, articles published by Turkish researchers searched in national and international databases, and proceedings of national congresses/conferences/symposiums held in Turkey. In order to evaluate the studies, the publication classification form prepared for the subject area by making use of the literature was used. With this form, the distribution of the studies according to year, language of publication, place of publication, type of publication, subject of the study, research model, sample, research method, data analysis, results and recommendations were determined. Descriptive statistics and descriptive content analysis were used to present the analysis's findings. In this study, it was seen that many studies were conducted on cognitive structures in science education and these studies were concentrated between 2017-2020. It was determined that the studies mostly aimed to determine the cognitive structures of individuals with a subject, mostly qualitative research method was used and mostly Word Association Test (WAT) was used as a data collection tool. The most common conclusions drawn from the investigations were that the sample's cognitive structures were lacking and that they had misconceptions regarding the topic.

Keywords

Cognitive structure , Science education , Content analysis , word association test

Ethical Statement

Since this study was a review study and did not involve any application on humans or animals, it did not require ethics committee approval. However, ethical guidelines were followed throughout the study.

Türkiye’de Fen Eğitiminde Bilişsel Yapılar Üzerine Yapılmış Çalışmaların Betimsel İçerik Analizi

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, Türkiye'de fen eğitimi alanında yayınlanan bilişsel yapı araştırmalarının eğilimleri belirlenmiştir. Doküman analizi yöntemi kullanılarak 2003-2023 yılları arasında yayımlanan 156 çalışmanın (113 makale, 34 lisansüstü tez ve 9 bildiri) betimsel analizi yapılmıştır. Bu çalışmalara Yükseköğretim Kurulu Ulusal Tez Merkezi'nden, ulusal ve uluslararası veri tabanlarında taranan Türk araştırmacılar tarafından yayımlanan makalelerden ve Türkiye'de düzenlenen ulusal kongre/konferans/sempozyum bildirilerinden ulaşılmıştır. Çalışmaları değerlendirmek için literatürden yararlanılarak konu alanı için hazırlanan yayın sınıflandırma formu kullanılmıştır. Bu form ile çalışmaların yıl, yayın dili, yayın yeri, yayın türü, çalışmanın konusu, araştırma modeli, örneklem, araştırma yöntemi, veri analizi, sonuç ve önerilere göre dağılımı belirlenmiştir. Analiz bulgularını sunmak için betimsel istatistikler ve betimsel içerik analizi kullanılmıştır. Bu çalışmada fen eğitiminde bilişsel yapılar üzerine birçok çalışma yapıldığı ve bu çalışmaların 2017-2020 yılları arasında yoğunlaştığı görülmüştür. Çalışmaların çoğunlukla bir konu ile bireylerin bilişsel yapılarını belirlemeyi amaçladığı, çoğunlukla nitel araştırma yönteminin kullanıldığı ve veri toplama aracı olarak çoğunlukla Kelime İlişkilendirme Testi'nin (KİT) kullanıldığı belirlenmiştir. Araştırmalardan çıkarılan en yaygın sonuçlar, örneklemin bilişsel yapılarının eksik olduğu ve konuya ilişkin kavram yanılgılarına sahip olduklarıdır.

Keywords

Bilişsel yapı , Fen eğitimi , İçerik analizi , Kelime İlişkilendirme Testi

References

• Akdemir, A. B., & Kılıç, A. (2021). Methodological analysis of qualitative articles. Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Journal of Faculty of Education, 8(2), 486-502. https://doi.org/ 10.21666/muefd.834707
• Aksoy, E. (2022). Determination of students' cognitive structures towards Atatürk's principles through word association test (WAT) (Published no.769523) [Master's thesis, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University- Bolu]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Arduç, M. A. (2024). Investigation of technology-supported science education studies (2020-2023): Content analysis. Literature, 5(1), 85-103. https://doi.org/10.59320/alanyazin.1422735
• Arslan, E. (2022). Validity and reliability in qualitative research", Pamukkale University Journal of Institute of Social Sciences, 51(Special issue 1), 395-407. https://doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.1116878
• Aslan, E. (2019). Investigation of translation and interpreting department students' cognitive structures related to the concept of translation acts with word association test. International Journal of Language Academy, 6(25), 124-135. http://doi.org/10.18033/ijla.4007.
• Ausubel, D. p. (1963). The psychology of meaningful verbal learning. Grune & Stratton. Bahar, M. (2003). Misconceptions in biology education and conceptual change strategies. Educational Sciences in Theory and Practice, 3(1), 27-64.
• Bahar, M., Johnstone, A.H., & Sutcliffe, R. G. (1999). Investigation of students" cognitive structure in elementary genetics through word association tests. Journal of Biological Education, 33, 134-141. http://doi.org/ 10.1080/00219266.1999.9655653.
• Baptista, M., & Martins, I. (2023). Effect of a STEM approach on students' cognitive structures about electrical circuits. International Journal of STEM Education, 10(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-022-00393-5.
• Bayraklı, S. (2019). Content analysis of master's theses with experimental research in science education between 2008-2018 (Published no. 618566) [Master's thesis, Marmara University-İstanbul]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Ceylan, Ö. (2015). Investigation of the effect of using concept cartoon in science teaching on 7th grade students' academic achievement and cognitive structures (Published no. 396094) [Master's thesis, Sakarya University- Sakarya]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Çevik, A., & Kaya, H. (2021). Investigation of postgraduate theses on scientific process skills in science education: Meta-Synthesis Study. Maarif Mektepleri International Journal of Educational Sciences, 5(2), 143-166. https://doi.org/10.46762/mamulebd.985454
• Dağ, Ş., & Horzum, T. (2022). Examination of graduate theses about misconceptions in mathematics education: A Systematic Review. e-Kafkas Journal of Educational Research, 9, 434-465. doi:10.30900/kafkasegt.973118
• Demirkaya, H., Köç, A., & Ünal, O. (2020). Analysing the cognitive structures of pre-service social studies teachers about Ottoman and Conquest concepts through word association test. Journal of Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Education, 39(2), 45-63. https://doi.org/10.7822/omuefd.747421
• Doruk, B. K. (2015). Investigation of the effect of creative writing activities on the cognitive structures of prospective mathematics teachers about numbers. Abant İzzet Baysal University Journal of Faculty of Education, 15(1), 105-128. https://doi.org/10.17240/aibuefd.2015.15.1-5000128597
• Ekinci, S. (2015). Investigation of 12th grade students' cognitive structures related to the concept of atom using different measurement tools (Published no. 383781) [Master's thesis, Hacettepe University- Ankara]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Ekinci, S., & Sen, A. İ. (2020). Investigating grade-12 students' cognitive structures about the atomic structure: A content analysis of student concept maps. International Journal of Science Education, 42(6), 977-996. https://doi.org/10.1080/090500693.2020.1744045
• Ercan, F., Taşdere, A., & Ercan, N. (2010). Observation of cognitive structure and conceptual change through word association test. Turkish Journal of Science Education, 7(2), 136-154. https://mail.tused.org/index.php/tused/article/view/515
• Ersanlı, Y. C. (2016). Investigation of pre-service English language teachers' cognitive structures about some key concepts in approaches and methods in language teaching course through word association test. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 12(1), 124-136. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/jlls/issue/36116/405565
• Fındık, N., Ültay, N., & Ültay, E. (2023). Descriptive content analysis of STEM education applications in primary schools in Turkey. The Black Sea Journal of Social Sciences, 15(28), 163-176. https://doi.org/10.38155/ksbd.1241470
• Gerekten, S. E. (2018). Music teacher candidates' cognitive structures related to the concept of 'makam'. Kırıkkale University Journal of Social Sciences, 8(2), 295-312. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/kusbd/issue/38953/322250
• Gilbert, J.K. & Watts, D.M. (1983). Concepts, misconceptions and alternative conceptions: Changing perspective in science education. Studies in Science Education, 10, 61–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057268308559905
• Göktaş, Y., Küçük, S., Aydemir, M., Telli, E., Arpacık, O., Yıldırım, G., & Reisoğlu, I. (2012). Educational technology research trends in Turkey: A content analysis of the decade 2000-2009. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 12(1), 191-199. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ej978439
• Gündoğan, A., & Gültekin, M. (2018). Reflection of attitudes and learning processes in life science course on learning environments with authentic tasks. Journal of Pegem Education and Training, 8 (4), 771-832. http://dx.doi.org/10.14527/pegegog.2018.030
• Güven, E. (2014). Analysis of the qualitative articles in the field of science education, published in Turkish. Journal of European Education, 4(1), 1-10.
• Jamaludin, N., & Maat, S. (2020). A systematic literature review on students’ misconceptions in mathematics. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 10(6). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v10-i6/7273
• Kaplan, E., Saraçoğlu, S., & Bektaş, O. (2022). Thematic analysis of doctoral theses conducted in Turkey in the field of science education. International Journal of Education and New Approaches, 5(1), 22-48. https://doi.org/10.52974/jena.1070415
• Kaptan, F., & Korkmaz, H. (2001). Problem-based learning approach in science education. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 20(20), 191-192. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/hunefd/issue/7816/102674
• Kara, N. (2023). Content analysis of postgraduate theses published between 2010-2022 on student achievement in science education in Turkey (Published no. 822295) [Master’s thesis, Marmara University- İstanbul]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Karamete, A. (2024). A content analysis of graduate dissertation using the flipped learning method. Journal of Educational Technology & Online Learning, 7(2), 208-242. https://doi.org/10.31681/jetol.1408925
• Kaya, M. F., & Tasdere, A. (2016). An alternative measurement and assessment method for elementary Turkish education: Word association test (WAT). Electronic Turkish Studies, 11(9), 803-820. http://dx.doi.org/10.7827/TurkishStudies.9499
• Khurshid, M., & Iqbal, M. Z. (2009). Children's misconceptions about units on changes, acids and laboratory preparation of CO2. Bulletin of Education and Research, 31(2), 61-74. https://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/ier/PDF-FILES/4-Childrens%20Misconceptions.pdf
• Kıral, B. (2020). Document analysis as a qualitative data analysis method. Siirt University Journal of Institute of Social Sciences, 8(15), 170-189. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/susbid/issue/54983/727462
• Kula-Wassink, F., & Sadi, Ö. (2016). Science education orientations in Turkey: A content analysis between 2005 and 2014. Elementary Education Online, 15(2), 594-614. http://dx.doi.org/10.17051/io.2016.05687
• Kurt, H., & Ekici, G. (2013). Determining the cognitive structures of prospective biology teachers on the subject of ''osmosis'' with independent word association test and drawing-writing technique. Journal of Turkish Studies, 8(12), 809-829. http://dx.doi.org/10.7827/TurkishStudies.5637
• Landis, J. R., & Koch, G. G. (1977). The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics, 33(1), 159-174. https://doi.org/10.2307/2529310
• Nergiz, H. (2022). Determining the cognitive structures of prospective science teachers about the concept of matter with word association test, drawing-writing technique and concept maps (Published no. 735601) [Master's thesis, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University-Alanya]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Oğuzman, T. (2023). Content analysis of scientific researches using 3E, 4E, 5E or 7E learning models in science education (Published no. 836877) [Master's thesis, Erciyes University- Kayseri]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Ormancı, Ü., & Çepni, S. (2018). A rural thematic analysis of science education in Turkey on the subject of being spent with daily life. Necatibey Faculty of Education Electronic Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 12 (2), 350-381. https://doi.org/10.17522/balikesirnef.506450
• Önal, N. (2017). Investigation of information technologies preservice teachers’ cognitive perceptions towards their departments with WAT. Ahi Evran University Journal of Education Faculty, 18(2), 255-272. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/kefad/issue/59416/853266
• Önel, A., Yalmancı, S. G., & Yalmancı, E. (2023). Investigation of the cognitive structures of secondary school students enrolled in BİLSEM regarding the concept of "virus". Journal of Biological Sciences and Health, 1(1), 12-20. https://jobish.com.tr/index.php/j/article/view/14
• Özatlı, N. S. (2006). Determination of the subjects that students perceive as difficult in biology courses and revealing their cognitive structures about excretory system with new techniques (Published no. 180147) [Doctoral Dissertation, Balıkesir University- Balıkesir]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Özaydın, N. (2022). Music teacher candidates' cognitive structures towards the concept of 'choir'. Journal of National Education, 51(235), 2197-2224. https://doi.org/10.37669/milliegitim.884904
• Özkul, T. (2023). Bibliography of studies on mental models in science education in Turkey (Published no. 791394) [Master's thesis, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University-Muğla]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Özkurt, İ., Ültay, E., & Ültay, N. (2023). Descriptive content analysis of studies on science experiments with prospective teachers. SDU International Journal of Educational Studies, 10(2), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.33710/sduijes.1311924
• Palta-Benek, H., & Şekercioğlu-Çirkinoğlu, A. G. (2024). Comparison of studies based on adaptive learning environments in Physics-Chemistry-Biology and Science Education with other fields: An example of systematic review. G. Saygılı (Edt.), Innovative approaches in education management (ss.121-143). Bidge Publications
• Saleh, A. G. (2022). The cognitive structure of graduate students. International Journal of Health Sciences, 6(6), 6801-6810. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6nS6.11318
• Saygın, E. (2024). An analysis of published studies on cooperative learning modelin science education in Turkey (Published no. 863257) [Master's thesis, Bayburt University- Bayburt]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Selçuk, Z., Palancı, M., Kandemir, M., & Dündar, H. (2014). Tendencies of the researches published in education and science journal: Content analysis. Education and Science, 39(173), 430-453. https://egitimvebilim.ted.org.tr/index.php/EB/article/view/3278
• Selvi, M., & Yakısan, M. (2005). Determination of students' cognitive structures through flow maps: Ecological cycles. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 2(1), 46-55. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/exploring-students-cognitive-structures-through/docview/1658721367/se-2?accountid=15410
• Snow, R. E. (1989). Toward assessment of cognitive and conative structures in learning. Educational Researcher, 18(9), 8-14. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X018009008
• Sözbilir, Ö., Gül, Ş. Okçu, B., Yazıcı, F., Kızılaslan, A., Zorluoğlu, S. L., & Atilla, G. (2015). Trends in science education research for students with visual impairment. Abant İzzet Baysal University Journal of Faculty of Education, 15(1), 218-241. https://doi.org/10.17240/aibuefd.2015.15.1-5000128604
• Şahin, R. (2021). Investigation of postgraduate thesis studies using computer-aided instruction method in science education (Published no. 704972) [Master's thesis, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University- Kahramanmaraş]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Şimşek, A., Özdamar, N., Becit, G., Kılıçer, K., Akbulut, Y., & Yıldırım, Y. (2008). Current trends in educational technology research in Turkey. Journal of Selçuk University Institute of Social Sciences, (19), 439-458. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/susbed/issue/61795/924275
• Tanışlı, D., & Köse, N. Y. (2013). Classroom teacher candidates' cognitive structures in the generalisation process: An instructional experiment. ESOSDER-Electronic Journal of Social Sciences, 12(44), 255-283. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/esosder/issue/6158/82773
• Temel, S., & Özcan, Ö. (2016). The analysis of prospective chemistry teachers' cognitive structure: The subject of covalent and ionic bonding. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 12(8), 1953-1969. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2016.1273a
• Tosun, İ. E., & İlkörücü, Ş. (2023). Investigation of qualitative studies on brain-based learning in science education. International Journal of Human and Art Research, 8(ES Special Issue), 86-101. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8262393
• Tosuntaş, Ş. B., Emirtekin E., & Süral İ. (2019). Examination of theses on education and instructional technologies (2013-2018). Journal of Higher Education and Science, 9(2), 277-286. https://doi.org/10.5961/jhes.2019.330
• Tsai, C. C. (1999). Content analysis of Taiwanese 14-year olds' information processing operations shown in cognitive structures following physics instruction, with relations to science attainment and scientific epistemological beliefs. Research in Science & Technological Education, 17(2), 125- 138. https://doi.org/10.1080/0263514990170201
• Tsai, C. C., & Huang, C. M. (2002). Exploring students' cognitive structures in learning science: A review of relevant methods. Journal of Biological Education, 36(4), 163-169. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2002.9655827
• Ültay, E., & Aydın, M. (2017). Qualitative content analysis in science education. Trakya University Journal of Faculty of Education, 7(2), 701-720. doi:10.24315/trkefd.297682
• Ültay, E., Çilingir, S. K., & Topkara, İ. (2019, Mart 15-17). Content analysis of interdisciplinary studies in science education at primary level [Proceedings]. Black Sea 1st International Multidisciplinary Studies Congress, Giresun.
• Ültay, E., Akyurt, H., & Ültay, N. (2021). Descriptive content analysis in social sciences. IBAD Journal of Social Sciences, (10), 188201. http://dx.doi.org/10.21733/ibad.871703
• Ültay, E., & Comardoğlu, Ç. (2021). Descriptive content analysis of studies on technology applications and design within the scope of science course. The Journal of International Social Research, 14(77), 804-814. http://dx.doi.org/10.17719/jisr.11505
• Ültay, E., & Sungur, T. (2019). Content analysis of studies concerning anxiety toward the science courses. International Social Sciences Studies Journal (SSSJournal), 5(36), 2903-2912. http://dx.doi.org/10.26449/sssj.1536
• Ültay, E., Tanrıverdi, A., & Ültay, N. (2023). Descriptive content analysis of studies on the flipped learning model in science courses. Studies in Educational Research and Development, 7(1), 42-63. https://serd.artvin.edu.tr/tr/pub/issue/78405/1251982
• Ünlü, D., Çirkinoğlu-Şekercioğlu, A. G., & Yıldırır, H. E. (2024). Systematic literature review of graduate thesis on instructional technologies in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Science Education. Technology, Innovation and Special Education Research Journal, 4(2), 99-124. https://www.tiserjournal.com/vol-4-issue-2-dec-2024/
• Yeni, Z. (2023). Examining the cognitive structures of social studies teacher candidates regarding the concept of effective citizenship (Published no. 783288) [Master's thesis, Necmettin Erbakan University- Konya]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.
• Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2016). Qualitative research methods in social sciences. Seçkin.
• Yıldırır, H. E., & Demirkol, H. (2018). Revealing students' cognitive structure about physical and chemical change: Use of a Word Association Test. Online Submission, 4(1), 134-154. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1156414
• Yıldırır, H. E., Işıktaş, T., & Yıldırım, A. (2020). Determining the perceptions of prospective teachers in different disciplines towards the concept of energy. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Faculty of Education, (54), 20-48. https://doi.org/10.21764/maeuefd.510999
• Yıldırır, H. E., & Kızmaz, N. (2024). Cognitive structures and their place in science education. In Transforming school systems through assessment, technology, and non-traditional learning methods (pp. 53-82). IGI Global.
• Yıldız, M., & Yaman, A. (2017). The effect of word borrowing on language: the example of the word cousin. International Journal of Language Teaching and Learning, 5(4), 750-763. http://doi.org/10.18298/ijlet.2165
• Yurtbay, Y. (2022). Determination of the cognitive structures of primary school 4th grade female students towards engineering profession (Published no. 752814) [Master's thesis, Kütahya Dumlupınar University- Kütahya]. Council of Higher Education National Thesis Centre.