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Dissertation Information for Hassan Ahmadi

NAME:
- Hassan Ahmadi

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Southern California (USA) (1988)

ADVISORS:
- Dennis Thomison

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Bruce Bennion
- Frederick Knirk

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Reactions of international students to academic library services and resources: Problems and difficulties encountered by international students in terms of using library services and resources at two sample American universities (USC and UCLA)

Abstract: Problem. This study provides an overview of impressions held by the international students at the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) of services provided by these university libraries as examples of American academic libraries; establishes an evaluation of international students' point of view regarding reference services, bibliographic assistance, and needs for added public services; determines characteristics of the user population and difficulties experienced in using libraries and resources; suggests new programs and services to help remedy the problem.

Methodology. This study uses the descriptive survey method consisting of questionnaires and interviews.

Conclusions. International students have difficulties in using reference sources, utilizing services of libraries and finding information they need. They also have trouble dealing with electronic reference equipment. Lack of knowledge of sources, services and guides available on the two campuses is the major area of information needs of international students. They regard written communication as the most pressing problem they have in adjusting to the American educational system. The language barrier presents many difficulties in terms of using a library and its resources. International students believe that special library programs tailored for them and additional library staff specially trained in assisting international students should be emphasized by USC/UCLA libraries in order to reduce the problems and difficulties of international students in utilizing the library. International students want more library hours to do their course assignments.

Recommendations. Different ways of educating library skills may be practiced with international students. However, a suitable library use education program for them might be self-guided audio tours supplementing a printed tour of the library with the taped tour on cassette, taking the form of a case study. Foreign countries that send students to the U.S. and similar countries should also take the responsibility and help remedy the library use problems and difficulties of their own students. Providing international students with an intensive course of "Library Use Skills" before leaving their homeland to orient them to the library system of services and information sources of the country they stay for some years to study would be helpful.

MPACT Scores for Hassan Ahmadi

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-07-25 19:25:45

Advisors and Advisees Graph