Exploring Information Behaviour: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Educational Video Consumption among LIS Students in Three Countries

Abstract

Abstract Purpose. The use of educational videos in higher education is progressively widespread among professors and students. Numerous digital platforms worldwide provide publicly available educational videos. This study investigates the perceptions of LIS students in three countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Spain, specifically focusing on their search for educational videos on YouTube. Additionally, it examines their habits, motivations, and reasons for searching educational videos in relation to their studies. Methodology. In this study, the authors employed the focus group technique. Two focus groups were conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one in Croatia, and two in Spain. The sample consisted of LIS students selected through convenience sampling. The age range of the students was approximately 19 to 25 years old. Limitations. This study has a few limitations. One of the limitations is that some students had to communicate in English, which is not their native language. While they were quite fluent, it is possible that some nuances in the interaction may have been missed.  Results. The results show that LIS students have similar motivations for searching for educational videos, such as improving their knowledge and having more or new information than what is provided in class. However, there are differences in the way they consume educational videos. The number of videos available in their native language generates a different cultural approach, as well as the use of different strategies for searching for educational videos. Originality/value. This study examines the variations in information behaviour regarding the use of educational videos on YouTube among LIS students from different countries, highlighting the contrasting contexts.