Effects of Drama Method on Social Communication Skills: A Comparative Analysis

This study aims to determine the effect of drama on social communication skills through the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods in a holistic approach. In the quantitative part of the research both the meta-analytic method and descriptive study were used. In the meta-analysis phase, 24 studies (2 articles, 19 MA theses and 3 Ph.D. dissertations) related to drama and its effect on communication skills and met the inclusion criteria were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis and the MetaWin programs. In the descriptive phase of the study, Social Skills Evaluation Scale was used to assess social skill levels of the preservice teachers (N = 386). In the qualitative part of the study, the data collected via documentary review through the thematic examination of the articles and theses were analyzed using the Maxqda 11 program. Additionally, in an action research design, the data related to the views of the preservice teachers (N= 60) and selected by maximum variation sampling were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through the Maxqda 11 program. Both qualitative and quantitative findings indicated that drama has a positive effect on social communication skills.