Analysis of biographical theses of artists in postgraduate studies in the field of fine art in Türkiye

This study aims to examine postgraduate theses focusing on artist biographies in the field of fine arts in Turkey from a methodological perspective. A total of 139 theses written between 2000 and 2024 were analyzed in terms of their research methods, data collection tools, characteristics of the artists studied, and the challenges encountered during the research process. It was found that document analysis was the most commonly used data collection method, while qualitative techniques such as interviews and observations, which allow access to primary data, were employed to a more limited extent. The study revealed that a significant portion of these theses lacked comprehensive methodology sections, which negatively affects the scientific integrity of the research. Authors often faced difficulties in accessing resources and determining appropriate methods, and limited supervisory guidance appeared to impact the overall quality of the theses. Moreover, inconsistencies and incomplete entries in the YÖK National Thesis Center's database were found to hinder effective literature reviews and access to existing academic work. The potential educational value of biography studies is also emphasized in the research. Biographical narratives that explore the connections between an artist's life, their era, and their works contribute to students' artistic and historical awareness, while also supporting creative thinking processes. In this regard, biography writing is regarded not only as an academic endeavor but also as an educational tool. In conclusion, although there has been a quantitative increase in artist biography theses in Turkey, the findings highlight the need to address methodological shortcomings, encourage studies on contemporary artists, and improve the thesis database systems. Updating institutional writing guidelines and promoting more methodologically grounded research in the arts will serve as important steps to support future academic production in the field. Keywords: Biography, Artist, Fine Arts, Postgraduate Thesis, Methodology