Investigation of the attitudes and behaviors of secondary school students towards social studies course

In this study, which aims to examine the attitudes and behaviors of middle school students towards the social studies course, a basic qualitative research model was applied. The research population consists of 18 social studies teachers working in 12 middle schools in the Şarkikaraağaç district of Isparta and 1,200 students studying in these schools. The study group includes 10 social studies teachers working in 9 middle schools selected through maximum variation sampling from the middle schools in Şarkikaraağaç during the 2023–2024 academic year, along with 30 volunteer students from these schools. The research data were obtained through semi-structured "Teacher Interview Forms" and "Student Interview Forms" developed by the researchers. During the data collection process, interviews were conducted at times convenient for the teachers. Data were collected either through audio recordings or note-taking, depending on the teachers' preferences. In student interviews, data were collected using the note-taking method by the researcher. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive analysis, in accordance with qualitative research procedures. Before initiating the content analysis, the data were transferred to a computer, and participants were assigned codes. The content analysis process included coding, categorization, and thematization. In the descriptive analysis, findings were supported with direct quotations.