Review of graduate theses prepared abroad on STEM education

This study aims to identify current methodological and thematic trends in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education by conducting a content analysis of postgraduate theses completed outside of Turkey between January 1, 2020, and May 10, 2025. Following a qualitative research approach based on document analysis, a total of 266 postgraduate theses, comprising 222 doctoral dissertations and 44 master's theses, were accessed through the PROQUEST database and examined. The theses were systematically analyzed based on categories such as bibliographic details, research methodologies, sample groups, data collection instruments, and data analysis techniques. The results revealed that the majority of the studies were doctoral dissertations, predominantly conducted in the USA, and largely situated within the discipline of Education. Methodologically, qualitative research was the most frequently employed approach, with case study designs and non-probability sampling methods being the preferred choices. The most common sample groups were undergraduate students, teachers, and high school students. Surveys and interviews were the primary data collection instruments, while descriptive and content analysis were the most prominent data analysis techniques. Furthermore, it was noted that a significant portion of the analyzed theses did not include keywords. These findings delineate the general characteristics of the international STEM education literature, providing a comprehensive reference for researchers in Turkey and illuminating current trends, methodological preferences, and existing gaps in the field.