A meta-analysis of postgraduate theses on Qur'an courses in Turkey (2000-2023)

The Presidency of Religious Affairs was established on March 3, 1924. The service activities of the institution include informing people on religious issues based on authentic sources and carrying out widespread religious education activities. In this context, one of the most important areas of work of the presidency is the religious service provided through Quran courses that appeal to different segments of the society. With the opening of Quran courses in 1965, Quran education began operating in these courses, and they were put on a legal basis in 1971 and their number gradually increased after that year. Our research aims to examine the postgraduate theses completed specifically in Quran courses affiliated to the Presidency of Religious Affairs between the years 2000-2023 in terms of subject and method in order to contribute to religious education. A total of 85 postgraduate theses have been reached in the National Thesis Center database on the subject, 9 of these theses are doctoral and 76 are master's theses. By conducting content analysis of the accessed postgraduate theses; After examining the subjects and methods they dealt with, all of the obtained data were interpreted through graphs. As a result; when the postgraduate theses completed specifically for Quran courses affiliated to the Presidency of Religious Affairs were examined, it was determined that the subjects covered in the theses included in the research consisted of the following titles; 4-6 years old, Quran course textbooks, religious education in Quran courses, memorization, adult education, summer Quran courses and the psychological and sociological situations of students and instructors attending the courses. In addition, it was learned that qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods were used in all theses related to the subject. In terms of the method used, qualitative method, and in terms of the subject covered, 4-6 years old religious education gained importance in the research.