Decision Support Systems: A Content Analysis of Graduate Theses in Turkey

Abstract

This study aims to conduct a descriptive analysis and evaluation of graduate theses regarding decision support systems carried out between 1989 and 2020 in Turkey. The qualitative research methodology was applied, the theses were analyzed through the descriptive content analysis technique. Forty-eight graduate studies accessible from the national thesis center database of YÖK were included in the analysis. The theses were coded according to the date of publication, university, institute, department, degree level, the academic title of the thesis supervisor, thesis language, research methodology, research sub-areas. Graduate studies on DSS have increased in the last 15 years, and 42 studies have been conducted in the last 15 years. Selçuk University ranks first with the most studies on DSS. Half of the studies were carried out in the Institute of Science, and most of the studies that were produced in the universities were master's theses. Most supervisors were "Prof. Dr." titled faculty members. Most of the theses were written in Turkish, and primarily experimental studies were conducted. The business administration department produced most of the theses on DSS. Business and environment studies were the primary disciplines that produced theses. These were carried out in 7 institutes and 26 different departments. The findings of this study will guide other researchers who are willing to work in the decision support systems field.

Keywords

• decision support systems
• graduate theses
• descriptive content analysis
• technology
• higher education