On measuring tools used in the field of creativity in the preschool period: A systematic compilation study in Turkish literature

The purpose of this study is to scan the measurement tools used in the field of creativity in early childhood education in Turkey over the last twenty years and present a comprehensive study in this field. In line with this purpose, the systematic review model, which is one of the qualitative research methods, has been adopted. The data group of the study consists of postgraduate studies published in the Higher Education Council Thesis Center, Dergipark, TR Index, and Turkey Measurement Tools Index (TOAD) databases. Within this scope, 95 postgraduate theses and 64 articles that used creativity measurement tools in early childhood education between 2003-2023 were examined. The studies were included or excluded based on specific criteria. The included studies were examined in terms of their relevance to the purpose, publication years, and characteristics of the measurement tools used. As a result of the review, it was observed that research on measuring creativity increased between 2013-2017. Additionally, 2019 was identified as the year with the highest number of research studies compared to all other years. A total of 21 measurement tools were identified through the examined research. Most of these measurement tools are adaptations of tools developed abroad and modified into Turkish. Apart from these adapted tools, measurement tools developed in Turkey were also found. A detailed analysis of these measurement tools was conducted, focusing on the features and scope of tools contributing to creativity in early childhood education. Recommendations were provided for researchers interested in working in the field of creativity, emphasizing the importance and needs of measuring creativity at an early age. This study aims to raise awareness about measuring creativity in early childhood education, and this review is presented to broaden the horizon of future research in this field.