Article Review

Title of Article: Accessing Science Through Media: Uses and Gratifications Among

Fourth and Fifth Graders for Science Learning

Name of Journal: Science Communication

Issue: 2

Volume: 36

Page Number: 168-193

Year Publish: 2014

1. Overview

This paper first gives a brief overview of the role of media on science

learning. In the new era of technology, media have been the central of source for

information. Youth are the generation that most use this source of information in

their everyday life. The authors also brought the issue of an increasing concern

that more children of Turkey are lack of interest in science learning. Many

researches have been made prior to the issue as shown by the authors but none

made to address the young students’ science learning. The research was

conducted to study the uses and gratifications of media in accessing science for

the fourth and fifth graders students in Ankara, Turkey. Two researchers from the

Middle East Technology University, Ankara set up the research in 2013.

The research question in this study is corresponding with the recent issue

of Malaysian students’ result in TIMSS. TIMSS is organized by The International

Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) that consist of

two domains; science and mathematic. The shocking result of Malaysia being in

the bottom group that mostly is the third world countries has made an uproar in

education discussion especially in science and mathematic. Thus, this study is

important for the reseachers in this area of study.

2. Description of Methodology

Two research questions were set to support the research objectives; how

do 4th and 5th grade students use mass media in science learning and what are the

characteristic that make mass media affective for them in science learning.

A qualitative method using a phenomenological approach was the method

chosen by the authors when designing the research. By doing a purposeful

sampling, the reseachers identified 47 students aged 10 to 12 that “have an

interest in science”’s criteria. Multiple data sources gathered as the students were

selected from 2 private schools and 2 public schools. These samples were then

divided into 8 focus groups. The researchers employed a semistructured interview

format with open-ended questions to the samples.

Results were discussed in the manner of thick discussion. The four types

of media chosen were the television, newspaper, science magazines, and Internet.

The result for the research has identified that science magazines and Internet is

the most media used in science learning of the samples. Newspaper was the least

media used by them. In choosing those media, aspect of accessibility was the

most important aspect of their choice of media.

In each of the media chose by students’ discussion, authors list out the

effective and ineffective features of the media. The data were also present in a

diagram that is simple yet easy to understand manner. The authors also relate the

behaviour of students using the UGT.

3. Evaluation

• The authors did adequately establish the significance of the research

questions. Many past researches in the literature review section that met the

objective of the study were discussed.

• The use of qualitative phenomenological approach mathodically was the best

method use to those set of samples. We definitely can’t use a questionnaire or

test on those students. By exploring their meaning of experiences, conceptions

and emotions using group interviews, those samples opens up to more

information.

• The forty-seven samples data were analyzed thoroughly and discussed in

many aspects of what criteria made them chose the media. By relating the

reasons and effects of their behavior to the UGT, the authors manage to

discuss the findings to next level.

• Perhaps the disadvantages of this method are the difficulty in generalizing to

other subjects and selection bias. All in all, the reseachers had done the study

very well. Experts validated the questions for the interviews and because there

were two researchers in this study, the validity of the research enhanced.

• The authors had declared that they have no potential conflict of interest with

respect to the research and they also didn’t receive any financial support for

the research or publication of the article. Ethical concerns indeed need to be

emphasized when you’re doing research. Researchers must always honest

when collecting and analyzing data.

4. Discussion and Implications

Science learning has always been my passion. The selection of this study

to be my reviewed article is the right choice because I am a primary school

teacher that teaches science. My heart dropped when the results of science in

TIMSS are decreasing every year. Malaysia does need to change the method of

teaching and learning especially in science.

The article brought my attention on the importance of media in science

learning and I did a small study to my students on their selection of media and the

reason they chose the media in science learning. I do learn a lot in the process.

The authors came out with suggestions that can be use in perfecting the role of

mass media in science learning for young students.

In the end, this study hopefully will open the eyes of teachers, parents, and

students that mass media is a significant tool in science learning that should not be

taken lightly.