Saudi students, american academic library: a survey

Ibraheem, Abiodun I.; Devine, Christopher J.

doi:10.1108/lr-11-2015-0112

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…On the other hand, over 50 per cent of the Saudi students were between 23 and 30 years of age, and 17 per cent were over 30. The distribution of Saudi subjects across those age groupings was very similar to that observed in our previous study: 18-22 years, 30.3 per cent; 23-30 years, 57.6 per cent; 31-40 years, 12.1 per cent; over 40 years, 0.0 per cent (Ibraheem and Devine, 2016).…”

Section: Survey Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Although students from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been studying on American university campuses since the 1940s and Saudi Arabia is now the fourth leading country of origin for international students in the USA [(The) Institute of International Education, 2017] until our recent study (Ibraheem and Devine, 2016), virtually nothing was known of the manner in which Saudi students use American academic libraries. This project was intended to build upon that research by surveying the library use habits of a cohort of Saudi Arabian students at a small university in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, collecting their opinions regarding the interactions that they had with library staff members and then comparing the findings to those derived from a random sample of American students studying at the same university.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Saudi students, American academic library: revisited

Ibraheem

Devine

Scott

2018

RSR

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Purpose This study aimed to use both quantitative and qualitative methods for assessing Saudi Arabian students’ experiences in using the library of a small American university and to compare the findings against those of a representative sample of American classmates. Design/methodology/approach The project used a paper survey in querying 164 Saudi Arabian and 273 American students studying at Robert Morris University in 2017. Findings The study found that Saudi subjects were much more likely to believe that their informational needs were misunderstood by librarians than American participants in the survey. Research limitations/implications Poor participation in the qualitative phase limited, to some degree, the interpretation that could be carried out of the study’s quantitative results. Practical implications The study’s findings strongly reveal the need for libraries and librarians to highly prioritize effective communication when providing service to international students. Originality/value This is only the second study to ever focus on the library experiences of Saudi Arabian students in American academic libraries, and it is the first to concentrate on the subjective aspect of understanding between librarians and international students. It is of value to library administrators, as well as librarians and library staff who interact with international students.

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Section: Survey Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Saudi students, American academic library: revisited

Ibraheem

Devine

Scott

2018

RSR

Self Cite

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“…Ibraheem and Devine looked at students from Saudi Arabia and found that “the unfamiliar structure of the American academic library posed difficulties for many subjects.” Despite that, “Most respondents nevertheless reported that they were able to use the library effectively most of the time, and the existence of a well-developed and integrated formal library instruction program was at least partially responsible for that” (Ibraheem and Devine, 2016). Articles on international students in the library emphasize the importance of services to this group, even if they are less likely to be aware of or use services than non-international students.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

International STEM graduate students: reaching a deeper understanding

Trei

Carlstone

2018

PMM

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to better understand the perceptions international STEM students have of the library and higher education based on their responses to the Ithaka S+R Graduate Student Survey. Design/methodology/approach To better understand these groups, this study conducted the Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon test on the Ithaka survey results to compare the groups and identify any statistically significant differences that the international STEM graduate students group (ISG) has to other groups. Findings This paper found that ISG valued Higher Education objective variables more than the non-ISG group, with the exception of one question. The ISG group also valued 7 of the 13 role of the library (ROL) variables statistically different. Research limitations/implications Since the students self-reported as international or STEM, the authors are unable to assess whether the response pool is representative of the university as a whole. Practical implications By understanding how international/STEM students may differ from other populations, libraries can better design spaces and services for these groups. Originality/value Existing studies tend to focus on international students or STEM students and information literacy. This study intends to fill a gap in the understanding of how these groups perceive the ROL and their education.

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“…When specific information services and systems for international students are being developed, a wide range of information needs, not just academic information needs, needs to be taken into consideration. Ibraheem and Devine (2016) surveyed 169 Saudi Arabian students studying at Robert Morris University. Their findings showed that many of the issues raised by earlier research on this topic continued to exist.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social introduction to library services for international students

Sheu

Panchyshyn

2017

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness that a social function, an international student reception, has on making international students comfortable with library services and resources in an American academic library at Kent State University. Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire was used to collect responses from attendees of an international student reception. The questionnaire was distributed both in-person and by e-mail. Ninety-three valid responses were received. The descriptive survey method was used in the study. Findings The findings reveal that the reception is attracting its target market, international students who have been enrolled at the university for less than one year. Food selection is critical to the success of the reception. However, there is room for improvement in many areas, such as the timing of the event, physical location and interactions between library staff and the international students. Research limitations/implications The survey was limited to only the international students who could attend the reception. Practical implications The study shows that partnership between the library and another department on campus (Office of Global Education) was a major key in the success of these receptions. Also, findings support that the comfort level of the students is a critical factor for the introduction of library services to international students. Future research is needed to measure the long-term impact of social event on library use. Originality/value This is the first case study in the literature where an academic library evaluates the impact of a social function, a reception, to gauge its ability to make international students comfortable with the library and its services.

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Saudi students, american academic library: a survey

Cited by 4 publications

References 4 publications

Saudi students, American academic library: revisited

Saudi students, American academic library: revisited

International STEM graduate students: reaching a deeper understanding

Social introduction to library services for international students

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