Analyzing Methodological Characteristics of Master Thesis Awarded by the Gifted Education Department at the Arabian Gulf University )1994 – 2011(

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating methodological characteristics of master theses awarded by the Department of Gifted Education at the Arabian Gulf University during 1994-2011. A sample of 178 master theses were analyzed according to a content analysis checklist. The results showed that more than one third of the master theses followed the experimental- qusi-experimental design, followed by descriptive research, then correlational studies. The results also indicated that more than 50% of all the theses utilized more than one instrument. Tests and scales were shown to be used often. Furthermore, more than one third of the master thesis used gifted identification instruments. A sample size of 50-250 subjects was most frequent, and high school students were targeted more than any other category. Unexpectedly, more than 85% of the master thesis mentioned that simple random selection was used for sample selection. Finally, the domain that was targeted more was the training programs followed by personality and behavioral characteristics of students.