Matching Expectations

: Use of an academic library by international nursing students alongside faculty expectations of their library use

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore the academic library needs of international nursing students and the expectations of their faculty about their library use with the aim of developing recommendations for how the library can develop services to bridge gaps identified. A case study approach was adopted focussing on the students and academic staff of the Bachelor of Nursing (International) programme at St. Angela’s College, Ireland. A literature review established the study within the context of relevant research. A mixed methods approach to data collection was adopted. Quantitative data to establish students’ previous library experience and current library use was collected using a questionnaire. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with samples of students and faculty to establish their expectations, experiences and assumptions about students’ library use. A thematic approach to data analysis was used to compare findings. The research showed that both faculty and students believed students to be unprepared to meet faculty expectations for utilising library services, particularly for research purposes upon commencement of their studies. Students identified a lack of online research and academic library experience as the main barriers. Faculty, while acknowledging these factors, believed the reasons to be more complex citing language, professional and social culture and differing expectations of the teaching and learning relationship. Recommendations for library services to bridge these gaps centre on the development of specialised library user education services and the incorporation of strategies to overcome cultural and language barriers to student participation. Faculty were supportive of working collaboratively with the library to improve student outcomes by overcoming identified barriers to library use. Potential areas for further research include the development of an information literacy programme for international nursing students; the impact of specialised user education on international student outcomes and the role of smartphone technology in developing library services for international students from developing countries

Date of Award	2015
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Aberystwyth University
Supervisor	Hugh Preston (Supervisor)