Content Analysis of Graduate Theses on Ageism in Social Sciences in Türkiye

Abstract

This study presents a content analysis of graduate theses on ageism prepared between 2015 and 2023. Document analysis method was used in the research. Accordingly, the topics, methodologies, and sampling methods of the theses accessed through the National Thesis Center database of the Council of Higher Education were examined. The theses were also analyzed in detail based on their levels, the universities, institutes, and departments where they were prepared, and the titles of their advisors. In this context, the study aims to reveal the current state of the literature on ageism and the general overview of the field. The research findings indicate that graduate theses on ageism are generally prepared in social sciences institutes, with limited methodological diversity, predominantly using quantitative research methods, and the sample groups mostly consisting of university students. Additionally, it was found that the majority of thesis advisors held the title of associate professor (41.2%). The results of the study suggest that increasing the methodological and sampling diversity in future theses on ageism would be beneficial.