This study analyzes the sociocultural factors that affect Saudi students in the U.S. as they seek information and explores to what extent these factors impact their everyday life information seeking (ELIS) behavior and their information technology behavior (ITB). The factors in this study illustrate the unique sociocultural values that distinguish Saudi students from other international student groups: gender segregation, emphasis on religion, social support, and utilization of the consultation concept. After collecting data from an online survey, the data from linear regression analyses revealed that only one culture factor (the language barrier) showed a significant impact on Saudi student ELIS in the U.S., while the other factors were not statistically significant. Also, the findings indicated that perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) were statistically significant to the ELIS of Saudi students. Furthermore, the study showed that after academic information, food and drink, entertainment, and health were the top student needs, the top ranking sources for everyday life seeking information were social media and the Internet. The findings of the study help to shed light on a sizable user group. As the fourth largest group of international students in the U.S., Saudi students have been underrepresented in research. Also, the study's findings and recommendations provide a more profound understanding of Saudi students for both the hosting American university officials and stakeholders who provide scholarships.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc1505191 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Alkahtani, Latifah M |
| Contributors | Miksa, Shawne D., Du, Yunfei, Zavalina, Oksana, Prybutok, Gayle |
| Publisher | University of North Texas |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | ix, 178 pages, Text |
| Coverage | United States |
| Rights | Use restricted to UNT Community, Alkahtani, Latifah M, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights Reserved. |
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