Researching international students: methodological challenges of rebel data

Ecochard, Sidonie; Fotheringham, Julia

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a small scale study into the attitudes and preferences of international students for support provision at a Scottish Higher Education institution. The article outlines some of the challenges arising from analysing qualitative data from surveys and interviews with international students, and calls into question the use of thematic analysis which reduces and finds patterns in the data, but which fails to capture the singularities of the international student voice. It argues for the reconsideration of the epistemological underpinnings of the international student experience and the methodological tools with which it is explored.

Citation

Ecochard, S., & Fotheringham, J. (2018). Researching international students: methodological challenges of rebel data. International Student Experience Journal, 6(1), 1-7

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 10, 2018
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jun 12, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 12, 2018
• Journal: International Student Experience Journal
• Print ISSN: 2397-3072
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 1-7
• Keywords: Student support, analysing data, qualitative data, thematic analysis
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1202593
• Contract Date: Jun 12, 2018