Analysis of studies on environmental problems in primary school: A meta-synthesis study

In this research, it is aimed to explain the current situation by analysing the studies on environmental problems in primary school. The research is a meta-synthesis study in which the qualitative data are analysed and evaluated, the studies are handled with a qualitative approach and their results are examined in depth and their similar and different aspects are revealed. The studies published between 2003 and 2023 were included in the study. When the results of the research on the study groups were analysed, it was seen that the frequency of individual-oriented studies was high and most of the studies were conducted with 4th grade students. When the results regarding the subject areas of the research were examined, it was seen that the themes of perception and opinion on environmental problems were at the forefront and primary school curricula were neglected. While it was seen that the most frequently used data analysis method in the studies was content analysis, it was seen that the most frequently used methods to ensure reliability were process elaboration and expert opinion. In addition, it was seen that survey, case study and phenomenology were mostly preferred in qualitative studies on environmental problems in primary schools. According to the results of the research, it is recommended that the number of qualitative studies on environmental problems in primary school should be increased and primary school programmes should be examined in this context and environmental problems should be included more in the curriculum.