Tendencies of academic studies prepared on science textbooks and bibliography essay

The purpose of this study is to examine scientific studies on science textbooks, including articles, master's theses, and doctoral dissertations prepared between 2012 and 2024, from various perspectives and to provide a bibliographic compilation as a resource for researchers in the field. In alignment with this main objective, the study analyzes the types, publication years, topics, grade levels, research methods employed, page counts, and the distribution of master's theses and doctoral dissertations by universities, institutes, main academic disciplines, and sub-disciplines. Lastly, a bibliographic compilation of studies prepared between 2012 and 2024 is presented. The study employs document analysis, a qualitative research method. Data were collected using the "Academic Study Review Form (AÇİF)" developed by the researcher. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The findings revealed that 187 articles, master's theses, and doctoral dissertations were prepared between 2012 and 2024. According to the study's findings, research on the subject has been conducted at 48 universities in Turkey. A total of 97 articles, 87 master's theses, and 3 doctoral dissertations focusing on science textbooks in Turkey were identified. Gazi University emerged as the university with the highest number of graduate-level studies (n=7). It was found that 49% of the doctoral and master's theses on science textbooks were conducted at the Institute of Educational Sciences (n=45). The year 2022 witnessed the highest number of graduate theses on science textbooks (n=24). Additionally, it was determined that qualitative methods were predominantly employed in doctoral and master's theses on science textbooks (n=75). In terms of the topics covered, activities included in science textbooks were the most frequently examined subject. Furthermore, the study revealed that most of the master's and doctoral theses on science textbooks focused on middle school-level textbooks (n=50). Based on these findings, recommendations were proposed