Science Communication XX(X) 1–26 © 2013 SAGE Publications Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1075547013505847 scx.sagepub.com Article Accessing Science Through Media: Uses and Gratifications Among Fourth and Fifth Graders for Science Learning Sevinc Gelmez Burakgazi 1 and Ali Yildirim 1 Abstract This qualitative phenomenological study aims to investigate fourth and fifth graders’ uses of mass media (TV, newspapers, Internet, magazines) and to assess their various features as sources for science learning. The data were collected from 47 purposefully selected students through focus groups and were analyzed through qualitative analysis using uses and gratifications theory as a conceptual framework. The results indicated that students were active in choosing and utilizing media to meet their cognitive, affective, personal integrative, and social integrative needs. Furthermore accessibility, content, and presentation were the key factors in influencing students’ motivation of use of the media. Keywords science communication, science learning, mass media, uses and gratifications theory, qualitative analysis 1 Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey in the name of Kocaeli University, Izmit, Turkey Corresponding Author: Sevinc Gelmez Burakgazi, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Education, Middle East Technical University, Universiteler Mah. Dumlupinar Cad., 06800, Ankara, Turkey. Email: sevincgelmez@gmail.com 505847SCX XX X 10.1177/1075547013505847Science CommunicationGelmez Burakgazi and Yildirim research-article 2013 at Hacettepe Univeristy on October 12, 2015 scx.sagepub.com Downloaded from