A Systematic Thematic Synthesis of Empirical Literature on Gifted, Black K–12 Students in STEM

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Abstract

In this paper, we share the process and results of a systematic thematic synthesis of empirical literature concerning gifted, Black, K-12 students in STEM. We explain how we used a comprehensive search engine, in conjunction with the snowballing data collection method, to apply three sets of criteria to identify a preliminary article set. We then explain how we hard-coded each article and utilized Atlas.ti software to categorize the codes, create a codebook, and come to a consensus on thematic elements across the articles. The synthesis ends with an analysis of themes, a discussion of research gaps, and recommendations and implications for STEM educational researchers and policymakers for broadening and further strengthening the research agenda for this population.

Authors

• Amber Janel Adgerson, University of North Dakota

• Heather Lavender, Syracuse University