Chapter 5 Discussion
5.2 Limitations and Suggestions
The qualitative method uses open-ended questions which allows for exploring and
understanding the lived acculturation experience of international students. Despite its
advantages, this approach is not free from limitations. First, one disadvantage is that
responses were not measured quantitatively, thus findings may not be statistically
representative. This can be addressed by using a quantitative method such as survey
research. It is suggested that a study can be conducted in the future to collect
quantitative measures of international students’ experiences or opinions. For example,
a questionnaire with items related to stressors, copings, and social support sources
found in this study can be used to identify the most common and most pressing
stressors encountered, as well as the most frequently used coping strategies and support
sources. This data can help the university prioritize the implementation of social
support programs suggested in Section 5.1. Moreover, using a randomly selected
sample of international students allows the researcher to draw inferences about the
university’s international student population. The study can also collect basic
demographic characteristics such as gender, age, nationality, religion, level of
education, Chinese and English proficiency, and the language of instruction (Chinese
or English). The study can also include a questionnaire or a scale which was designed
by other researchers to assess received or perceived support. A correlational analysis
can then be conducted to examine the association of demographic variables with the
type and importance of social support sources used by respondents and the measures
of received or perceived support. Results of this analysis could have important
implications for the university’s international office, department or program offices,
and counseling services. Lastly, an open-ended question can also be added to determine
services or programs international students may deem necessary to help them adapt
better.
Second, though participants represent a variety of cultures and countries, they
were all enrolled at one university in Taipei. While it is possible to infer that other
international students in similar settings may have similar experiences, the small
sample of interviewees may limit the researcher’s ability to draw inferences about
individuals outside of the context where this study was conducted. Caution in
generalizing the results to other individual groups should be exercised.
Third, the researcher’s work as an international student counselor at the university
afforded him abundant opportunities to interact with international students – some of
whom were invited to participate in the study. The researcher’s experiences of working
closely with international students allowed him to obtain a great deal of information
through these interviews. Conversely, these interactions and experiences could also
bring certain biases to this study. Although many efforts were made to ensure
objectivity, these biases may shape the way the researcher conducted the interviews
and interpreted the collected data.
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Appendix A Interview Protocol
International Students’ Acculturation Experience Interview
My name is Frank and I will be conducting this interview. The goal of this project
is to explore international students’ acculturation (or adjustment) experience at a public
university in Taipei. The findings of the study are intended to help universities evaluate
or improve the effectiveness of their existing services, as well as to develop new
strategies to bolster social support and enhance the well-being of international students.
You are being asked to participate in this study because you have been identified
as an international student who has a great deal to share about your experience on this
campus. Prior to the interview you were sent an invitation letter and one consent form.
I have planned this interview to last no longer than one hour. During this time, we have
several questions that we would like to cover. To facilitate my note-taking, we would
like to audio tape our conversations today. Your records will be confidential. You will
not be identified in any reports or publications resulting from the study.
If there are no further questions, let’s get started with the first question.
A. Interviewee Background
1. What country are you from? How old are you? When did you come to Taiwan?
2. What is your department/program? What year are you in?
3. Before coming to this university, have you been to Taiwan? Have you studied in another country?
4. Why did you decide to come to Taiwan? To this university?
B. Pre-arrival Experience
1. Before coming to this university, did you know anyone in Taiwan? Did you look for help from anyone or any organization (for instance, corporation, government, non-governmental organization, educational institution) in or outside of Taiwan? From whom or which organization did you receive help?
Could you tell me some examples of how these people or organizations helped you?
C. Acculturation Experience: On arrival
1. Could you please describe to me your experience of your first few weeks here?
2. When you arrived in Taiwan, did you experience stress due to difficulties or challenges (you encountered)? If so, what were the difficulties or challenges?
3. How did you deal with these difficulties or challenges?
4. Did you go to anyone or any organization for help? From whom or which organization did you receive help? Could you tell me some examples of how these people or organizations helped you deal with these difficulties or challenges?
5. How did you know these people or organizations? How permanent have these contacts been?
D. Acculturation Experience: Post-arrival
1. Can you tell me what your present difficulties or challenges are and how your
difficulties or challenges have changed overtime while you have been living and studying here (for instance, during a different semester or phase of your stay)?
2. Looking at these difficulties or challenges over the period of your stay, how did you deal with them? Did you go to anyone or any organization for help?
From whom or which organization did you receive help? Could you tell me some examples of how these people or organizations helped you deal with these difficulties or challenges?
3. Could you tell me a bit more about your international (multinational) friends?
How did you meet them? Did they support you or help you in dealing with your difficulties or challenges? In what ways (for instance, providing actual assistance, giving advice or information, being your companion)? Did their help or support match your needs? How often do you meet or hang out with each other? (Note: Multinational friends are those from countries other than their own)
4. Now, what about your co-national friends? How did you meet them? Did they support you or help you in dealing with your difficulties or challenges? In what ways (for instance, providing actual assistance, giving advice or information, being your companion)? Did their help or support match your needs? How often do you meet or hang out with each other? (Note: Co-national friends are those from the same country of origin)
5. Do you have local friends? How did you meet them? Did they support you or help you in dealing with your difficulties or challenges? In what ways (for
instance, providing actual assistance, giving advice or information, being your companion)? Did their help or support match your needs? How often do you meet or hang out with each other?
6. Has this university provided you with appropriate support or information to help you in your studies or adaption here or dealing with your difficulties? Did you experience any obstacles when you tried to get help from this university?
7. Has this university helped you meet other students (multinational or co-national or local), or local people? For instance, have they provided you with information, activities, or spaces to meet people? How permanent have these contacts and friends been? What do you think this university can do to help international students meet people?
8. What kind of obstacles did you experience trying to reach out to others?
E. Acculturation Experience: Pre-departure
1. Now that you have been here for sometimes, are you helping new students adjust to their new environment? If so, could you please share your experiences where you assisted other international students? What help or advise did you give them?
2. When you finish your studies, are you planning to go back or stay here? If going home or staying here, for what reasons?
Post Interview Comments and/or Observations:
Appendix B Research Invitation
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a master student in the Educational Psychology and Counseling program at a university in Taipei City. I am doing a research study on the adjustment problems and social support of international students. Part of the data collection for the research is to interview international students who are studying here at the university. I request your participation in this research and would like to know if you would be willing to be interviewed.
The primary purpose of this study is to explore international students’
acculturation (or adjustment) experience at a public university in Taipei. International students are the main focus of this research. The findings of the study are intended to help universities evaluate or improve the effectiveness of their existing services, as well as to develop new strategies to bolster social support and enhance the well-being of international students. The information that will be generated by your thoughts, opinions, and experiences will be a valuable resource for current and future international students coming to study in Taiwan.
Your participation is very important for generating the initial research data. Please email me if you would like to participate. You may also call me at 0988-300671. Thank you so much for your willingness to participate.
Sincerely,
Hsun-Ming (Frank) Chang
Master student, Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling National Taiwan Normal University
+886-988300671 [email protected]
Appendix C Informed Consent Statement
Thank you for your interest in this study. Before you decide whether or not to participate in this research, I would like to provide you with more information regarding this research.
Why am I being asked to participate?
You are being asked to participate in this study because you have been identified as an international student who has a great deal to share about your experience on this campus.
How many people will be asked to participate in this study?
Approximately 12 persons will be asked to participate in this study.
How long will I be in this study?
About 60 minutes will be needed to complete this study.
What will happen during this study?
You will be asked approximately 20 questions about your adaption to being a student at National Chengchi University. Each of the questions will be posed separately. You may choose not to answer some of the questions, all of the questions, or not to participate at all with no repercussions. The interview will take place (where and when).
The interview will be tape recorded and notes will be taken.
Will the information that is obtained from me be kept confidential?
The only persons who will know that you participated in this study will be the researcher. Your records will be confidential. You will not be identified in any reports or publications resulting from the study.
May I change my mind about participating?
Your participation in this study is voluntary. You may decide to not begin or to stop the study at any time with no repercussions. Your refusing to participate will have no effect on you. You can discontinue your participation with no effect on you.
Can I know the results of this study?
Yes. If you are interested in the results of this study, you may contact the researcher for more information.
Contact Information Principal Researcher
Hsun-Ming (Frank) Chang
Master student, Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling National Taiwan Normal University
+886-988300671 [email protected]
Research Supervisor
Dr. Hsiu-Lan Shelly Tien, Ph.D
Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling National Taiwan University