In this study, the everyday life information seeking behaviors of international students were examined with their individual characteristics and acculturation types. The survey was conducted on international students attending universities in Daejeon...
In this study, the everyday life information seeking behaviors of international students were examined with their individual characteristics and acculturation types. The survey was conducted on international students attending universities in Daejeon. The everyday life information seeking behavior was divided into three elements: information subjects, information sources, and the evaluation of information sources. Those elements were further divided into the frequency of searches for information subjects, the frequency of use of information sources, significant information sources by subject, information source evaluation criteria, and the evaluation of information sources. In addition, seven individual characteristics, including gender, nationality, degree programs, major field, residence period in Korea, Korean language fluency, and daily information retrieval skills were examined. Acculturation types were divided into integration, integration–separation, separation, and marginalization, based on attitudes towards Korea and their own cultures.
Findings of the study include differences in the information seeking behavior depending on the characteristics and acculturation types. International students evaluated organizations, institutes and experts as the most credible and accurate sources of information, but it was found that they used web searches and social media the most frequently. Credibility and accuracy were considered the most important factors in evaluating sources, but credibility and accuracy for web searches and social media were significantly lower than other sources. In addition, international students with higher Korean fluency found Korean news more, and Korean friends were more often used as an information source by integration type than the separation type international students.
Based on the results of the research, the following is proposed. First, institutions that support international students should provide a daily life information system by actively utilizing websites and social media and developing an online community for daily information sharing. Second, the library needs to provide digital information literacy services, including methods to effectively evaluate online sources and to select credible daily information. Also the library needs to provide outreach services in cooperation with student support institutions, language institutes, and student residence organizations. Third, in order to foster an integrated cultural identity for international students through improved accessibility to Korean news, language institutes need to develop systematic and diverse levels of Korean language programs to improve students’ fluency. Fourth, universities need to develop student helper or in-school mentoring programs that enable interactions with Korean students, so that international students can have an integrated cultural identity while maintaining cultural diversity. Also, they need to provide opportunities for regular social activities in cooperation with student residence organizations.
Findings from this study could serve as a reference for research related to the factors influencing everyday life information seeking behavior. By understanding the information needs and characteristics of international students, institutions can identify methods to provide information services efficiently to assist international students with adjusting to Korean society and university life.