Deductive content analysis as a research method in the field of education sciences – A systematic literature review of journal articles in Web of Science (2019–2023)

Abstract

Content analysis plays a pivotal role in the field of educational science. This paper delves into an examination of studies within the discipline that have employed a deductive approach when applying this method. Our research focus revolved around the thematic patterns present in the corresponding scientific discourse and the techniques utilized for deductive content analysis.We conducted a systematic literature review within the Web of Science database to identify journal articles employing a theory-driven approach to content analysis. The results of the investigation revealed that empirical studies in the domains of health studies, professional development, and learning enhancement seldom adhere exclusively to deductive reasoning during content analysis. Instead, they typically blend deductive reasoning with inductive coding processes.