The Postgraduate Theses in ELT between 2019 and 2021: A Methodological Comparison

Year 2023, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 43 - 63, 30.03.2023

Muhammet Öcel , Ayfer Su Bergil

https://doi.org/10.17275/per.23.28.10.2

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the scientific research in educational sciences as almost all aspects of life since it broke out in China in late 2019. Research in English Language Teaching (ELT) has run across several problems, much like other science domains. Researchers may have encountered difficulties while trying to reach volunteers in their studies due to psychological or physiological complications. On the other hand, distance, or flexible face-to-face education in all the educational cycles may have led some researchers to spend more time conducting their studies. Considering these possible effects of the pandemic, the main purpose of this study is to explore ELT researchers’ methodological tendencies in their master’s theses and doctoral dissertations published pre (2019) and while (2020, 2021) pandemic in Türkiye. The sample consisted of 806 master’s theses and 128 doctoral dissertations. By using a grid and checklist, data was collected qualitatively by implementing the qualitative document analysis method. The collected data was analyzed quantitatively by using descriptive statistics. Although the number of theses and dissertations decreased during the pandemic, the findings indicated that researchers conducted more in-depth analyses. The study has significance for further researchers in that the findings have shown that they may need to do their research planning in a more adaptable way and have alternative plans in case of similar unusual situations on a large or small scale, like the pandemic.

Keywords

Research methodology, English language teaching in Turkey, Theses in English language teaching, The effects of Covid-19, Methodologic trends

Thanks

The master’s thesis that was successfully defended on June 15, 2022, at Amasya University Social Sciences Institute provided the data for this article. As a recent MA graduate, the first author contributed 60%, while the second author, as his supervisor, contributed 40% to the overall processes pertaining to the study. The authors made no mention of any potential conflicts of interest. The authors are very appreciative of each other's cooperation in this scholarly endeavor.

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