First-year international graduate students’ transition to using a United States university library

Cooper, Liz; Hughes, Hilary

doi:10.1177/0340035217723355

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…These results, however, are very similar to those of Cooper and Hughes (2017). While studying the use of library spaces by postgraduate students at the University of New Mexico, Cooper and Hughes (2017) found that 93 per cent of international postgraduate students expressed that they visit the library weekly or monthly. The possible reason for similarities between the findings of Cooper and Hughes and this study may be as a result of the strong contingent of postgraduate international students at the North-West University (2019).…”

Section: Library Visits By Postgraduate Studentssupporting

confidence: 71%

“…Similarly, only 42 per cent of postgraduate students claimed to visit the library at least once a week in Beard and Bawden (2012). These results, however, are very similar to those of Cooper and Hughes (2017). While studying the use of library spaces by postgraduate students at the University of New Mexico, Cooper and Hughes (2017) found that 93 per cent of international postgraduate students expressed that they visit the library weekly or monthly.…”

Section: Library Visits By Postgraduate Studentsmentioning

confidence: 75%

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The utilisation of library spaces by postgraduate students at a university in an African country

Bangani

Moyo

Mashiyane

2019

GKMC

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the use of library spaces by postgraduate students at the North-West University in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach A survey research methodology was used in which both online and print questionnaires were used to gather data. Findings The major findings of the study were that postgraduate students frequently visited the libraries to make use of the quite study spaces, which include the research commons and the study carrels. The study further found out that postgraduate students rarely visited the libraries for the purpose of consulting librarians regarding their studies. Challenges expressed by the students include insufficient workstations, poor internet and Wi-Fi connectivity and limited seating capacity. The benefit of the study is that it will help librarians and the university administrators to better understand the postgraduate students space needs, as well as the challenges being encountered. Research limitations/implications This biggest limitation of this study was a lack or low response rate by certain faculties, which mitigated against comparing the use of spaces by faculty. Practical implications The results of this study re-affirm the need for postgraduate spaces. University libraries that seek to build postgraduate spaces in the future need to ensure that an adequate number of computer workstations are supplied and Wi-Fi and bandwidth are improved. University libraries that already have postgraduate spaces should consider adding more workstations and improving bandwidth and Wi-Fi connectivity in those spaces. These results further point to a need for libraries in Africa and elsewhere to consider having more quiet study spaces for postgraduate students while reducing the number of group study spaces. Social implications The results of this study point to a need for libraries and university authorities to periodically review library spaces as a way to ensure their continued optimal usage. They also point to a need for more funds to further enhance the library spaces for postgraduate students’ use. Originality/value South African libraries are faced with challenges including the addition of 15 per cent value added tax to print and online resources. In this environment, libraries are expected by university authorities to demonstrate return on investment. This study, therefore, is located within the realm of determining return on investment for the funds spent by universities to build dedicated postgraduate library spaces. This study will further benefit librarians and the university administrators by helping them to better understand the postgraduate students space needs, as well as the challenges being encountered.

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Section: Library Visits By Postgraduate Studentssupporting

confidence: 71%

Section: Library Visits By Postgraduate Studentsmentioning

confidence: 75%

The utilisation of library spaces by postgraduate students at a university in an African country

Bangani

Moyo

Mashiyane

2019

GKMC

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“…A handful of studies have investigated the information practice of international students who temporarily operate in another cultural context (e.g., Cooper & Hughes, 2017;Reyes et al, 2018;Zhao & Mawhinney, 2015). Some studies focused on international students' barriers, such as their different conceptions of research resources or challenges in developing IL skills due to cultural and linguistic differences (Ishimura & Bartlett, 2013;Zhao & Mawhinney, 2015).…”

Section: Multicultural Information Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Transnational Chinese students’ online information literacies during the COVID-19 pandemic

Gao¹,

Kohnen²

2023

JIL

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Using a transnational lens, this narrative study examines the online information literacies of six Chinese international graduate students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data of the study were collected from phenomenological interviewing, weekly information-seeking dairies, and focus group discussions. This study illuminates Chinese international students’ transnational information literacies in navigating the pandemic online information environment. These students stayed attuned with the pandemic conditions and relevant regulations in order to inform their important decision-making concerning health, safety, visa issues, and international travel. The study also highlights participants' cultural ways of information seeking and pragmatic approaches to information credibility assessment. Results from the study show the importance of understanding and empowering the information literacy of international students, especially during a global health emergency.

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“…Most recently, a handful of studies have focused on the challenges that international students face in their transition to a new academic context (e.g. Cooper & Hughes, 2017;Hughes, Cooper, Flierl, Somerville & Chaudhary, 2018). However, the emphasis on the role of the academic library highlights the need for research that explores the processes of international student transition in more detail.…”

Section: Transitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mitigating risk: mediating transition through the enactment of information literacy practices

Hicks

2019

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the emergent grounded theory of mitigating risk, which was produced through an analysis of the information literacy practices of English-speakers who are learning a language overseas as part of their undergraduate degree. Design/methodology/approach The grounded theory emerges from a qualitative study that was framed by practice theory and transitions theory, and employed constructivist grounded theory, semi-structured interviews and photo-elicitation methods to explore the information activities of 26 language-learners from Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. Findings The grounded theory of mitigating risk illustrates how academic, financial and physical risks that are produced through language-learner engagement overseas catalyse the enactment of information literacy practices that enable students to mediate their transition overseas. Research limitations/implications This study’s theory-building is localised and contextual rather than generalisable. Practical implications The grounded theory broadens librarians’ and language-educators’ knowledge of student activities during immersive educational experiences as well as extending understanding about the shape that information literacy takes within transition to a new intercultural context. Social implications The grounded theory develops understanding about the role that local communities play within intercultural transition and how these groups can respond to and prepare for increasingly fluid patterns of global movement. Originality/value This paper contributes to an increasingly sophisticated theoretical conceptualisation of information literacy while further providing a detailed exploration of transition from an information perspective.

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First-year international graduate students’ transition to using a United States university library

Abstract: This article reports original research conducted at a US university exploring how incoming first-year international graduate students transition to a new academic environment, learn to conduct research, and utilize library resources and spaces.

Cited by 9 publications

References 36 publications

The utilisation of library spaces by postgraduate students at a university in an African country

The utilisation of library spaces by postgraduate students at a university in an African country

Transnational Chinese students’ online information literacies during the COVID-19 pandemic

Mitigating risk: mediating transition through the enactment of information literacy practices

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