How Are We the Same or Different: Information Needs and Barriers of Domestic and International Students

• Published in: The Journal of academic librarianship 2018-11, Vol.44 (6), p.712-723
• Main Authors: Sin, Sei-Ching Joanna, Kim, Kyung-Sun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic libraries; Barriers; College students; Domestic students; Foreign Students; Gender; Information barriers; Information literacy; Information Needs; International students; Level of study; University students; User group comparison
• ISSN: 0099-1333; 1879-1999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2018.10.005

The study sought to (1) investigate whether international students differ from domestic students in their information needs and barriers encountered, and (2) test the relative importance of students' domestic/international status against their gender and level of study. A survey was used to collect data from international and domestic undergraduate and graduate students in a US public university. The study collected 1259 responses. Regression analysis was used for analyzing the data. International and domestic students were found to be similar in their top-ranked needs (e.g., career information) and barriers (e.g., irrelevant and non-credible information). Compared to their gender and level of study, students' domestic/international status resulted in fewer significant differences in their needs and barriers. However, for the areas where domestic/international status was significant, its effect size was often prominent. Differences between domestic and international students are more notable in the barriers than in the information needs. Based on the findings, six propositions were developed. The implications for research and practice are discussed.