Trends in science education research in Turkey: A content analysis of key international journals from 1998-2012

Abstract

Science education research in Turkey has grown at a rapid pace in the last decade. Increasingly, there is enhanced participation at key international conferences and publications by academics as well as junior researchers. The purpose of this chapter is to review recent trends in science education research in Turkey. The research literature reviewed includes some reference to local journals, dissertations and more widely, the national context of Turkey in terms of the higher education and research policies. The empirical aspect of the chapter is based on a study of trends in the coverage of research papers originating from Turkey in the top journals of Journal of Research in Science Teaching, Science Education and International Journal of Science Education. Trends from 1998 to 2012 will be presented in terms of authorship, institutional affiliation and topics researched among others. Results will be discussed and implications of contributions of science education research from Turkey to academic communities in Asia will be outlined.