Academic production in biology teaching: analysis of dissertations and theses, and reflections for the science education area

ABSTRACT

We analyzed the academic production related to Biology Teaching from 1972-2016 and identified 1,613 dissertations and theses defended in graduate programs held in the five regions of Brazil, studied in this article according to the following categories: releasing year and quantitative evolution; institutions of origin and geographical distribution; academic degree; supervisor. The research findings were examined based on the literature produced by authors dedicated to reflecting on the evolution of research and graduate studies in the educational field. In the results, we explain some characteristics of the institutional base that supports this production and the investigative field, commenting on the most recent trends and reflecting on the evolution of the Science Education area in Brazil.

KEYWORDS dissertations; thesis; state of the art; biology teaching