Investigation of the scientific literacy of science and technology news followers in the context of uses and gratifications approach: A study on Anadolu University students

To reveal the profile including examining Anadolu University formal undergraduate students' who follow up science and technoloy news on YouTube scientific literacy in the context of the uses and gratifications approach forms the main purpose of this study. Quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques have been used to achieve the planned goals within this research designed with a mixed-methods approach. According to the research, undergraduate students have been following science and technology news on Youtube for 1-5 years of time. It has been revealed that the frequency of using YouTube among the students with the highest rate %66,6, is on a daily basis. Keeping themselves invisible and without stepping out of their private zones, the participants actively follow science and technology news content on YouTube under the topics presented and their interests. The reasons why students follow science and technology news can be explained either supporting their hobbies and expanding their interests or keeping up with the current news. Students also emphasized that they follow science and technology content on YouTube to contribute their knowledge and personal development but they feel inadequate in terms of their scientific literacy, however, it is open to improvement.