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Improving Interactions between International Students and Domestic Students, Faculty and Staff: A Mixed Methods Action Research Study

Marschner, Daniel P

Abstract Details

2016, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Educational Studies.
This mixed methods research study used an action research framework to consider the interactions between international and domestic students at a medium sized, liberal arts, Catholic university. This institution has a small but growing number of international students, and the university community is grappling with the benefits and challenges of increasing the population of international students. Postcolonial theory was the theoretical lens for this investigation because it emphasized the power dynamics present in intercultural activities and therefore provided insight into the campus environment. The action research framework incorporated a group of international students who participated in the study throughout its duration, acting as co-researchers and enhancing the validity and trustworthiness of the findings. This study explored the attitudes and perceptions of domestic students, faculty and staff towards international students. The investigation also explored the most common interactions between international students and domestic faculty, staff and students, and sought to identify ways to improve the acculturation process for international students. This exploratory sequential mixed methods study had two strands: the quantitative phase consisted of a campus climate survey, and the qualitative strand consisted of Photovoice with international students. The campus climate survey sought to document experiences with and perspectives towards international students on campus. The results of the quantitative strand informed the development of the subsequent qualitative strand. The qualitative portion of the study used Photovoice to encourage international students to express their perspective through visual imagery to the wider campus community. The combined quantitative and qualitative results were presented in a central location in the student center with the goal of demonstrating similarities and differences amongst the various campus constituencies and fostering an enhanced dialogue about campus internationalization. The results of this study supported enhanced resources for international students to acclimate to the university environment and stressed the importance of international students’ perspectives to augment global connections within higher education.
Mary Brydon-Miller, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Sarah Stitzlein, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Lisa Vaughn, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jonathan Weller, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
204 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Marschner, D. P. (2016). Improving Interactions between International Students and Domestic Students, Faculty and Staff: A Mixed Methods Action Research Study [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1459438507

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Marschner, Daniel. Improving Interactions between International Students and Domestic Students, Faculty and Staff: A Mixed Methods Action Research Study. 2016. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1459438507.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Marschner, Daniel. "Improving Interactions between International Students and Domestic Students, Faculty and Staff: A Mixed Methods Action Research Study." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1459438507

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)