1968, 2005 and 2018 comparison of course books prepared according to social studies curriculums and investigation of concepts

In this study, which aims compare the change in textbooks in the social studies in Turkey in 50 years' time, 4th grade social studies textbooks prepared according to the 1968, 2005 and 2018 Social Studies Curriculum were examined. Books within the scope of the study have been evaluated in comparison in view of content features, visual expression elements, language and expression levels, question criteria, physical qualities, program suitability, auxiliary materials and design elements and the concepts in the program in terms of inclusion. In this study, in which qualitative research model was adopted, data was obtained through document analysis and the study was carried out in accordance with document analysis steps. The source of the study data was the publications of the Ministry of National Education for each program from the 4th grade social studies textbooks prepared according to the 1968, 2005 and 2018 Social Studies Curriculum and approved by the Board of Education. According to the data obtained in the study, the following results were achieved: The Social Studies textbook prepared according to 1968 in terms of content, language and expression, question criteria, program suitability and design elements are mediocre; Social Studies textbooks prepared according to 2005 and 2018 were found to be at a good level. It is determined that the Social Studies textbook prepared according 1968 and 2005 are mediocre in terms of visual expression elements, while Social Studies textbooks prepared according to 2018 is at a good level. It is seen that the Social Studies textbooks prepared according to all three programs are at a mediocre in terms of physical properties. In addition, in the Social Studies textbooks prepared according to 1968 and 2018, it is seen that there is no student workbook and teacher guide book, and also the textbook is not supported with an auxiliary equipment while it is understood that there is a student workbook and a teacher guide book in the Social Studies textbook prepared according to 2005, but the textbook is not supported with an auxiliary equipment. 86 out of 91 concepts that should be included in the Social Studies textbooks prepared according to the 1968, 2005 and 2018 Social Studies Curriculum are included in all three of the textbooks. In addition, the concepts of "Climate" and "Waste" were not included in the social studies textbook prepared according to 2005, but included in the social studies textbooks prepared according to 1968 and 2018 also it was observed that the concepts of "Judgment", "Constitution" and "Religion" were included only in the Social Studies textbook prepared according to 1968 and not included in the Social Studies textbooks prepared according to 2005 and 2018. Based on these results, it can be concluded that many of the shortcomings in the social studies textbook prepared according to 1968 were eliminated in the Social Studies textbooks prepared according to 2005 and 2018 and in this view, there is an improvement; however, there aren't enough improvements in view of physical properties. As stated above, it can be seen that the social studies textbook prepared according to 1968 regarding the situation of the concepts in the textbooks has been prepared more comprehensively.