Experience of International Students Pursuing Higher Education in the US - Research Proposal Example

PART Experience of International pursuing higher education in US Table of Contents Literature Review 3 2.Managerial Problem 4 3.Aims and objectives 4 4.Research Design 5 5.Data collection 5 6.Anticipated Outcome 5 7.Timeframe 6 6 Reference List 7 1. Literature Review The United States of America has been the most popular destination of choice among international students as far as pursuing higher education is concerned. The country has reported overwhelming figures of international students who enroll for pursuing their higher education (Bennell and Pearce, 2003). According to a report published by the IEE (2011), the US is the destination of choice for majority of respondents based all over the world. The unprecedented growth in number of international students in the US illustrates the global trend of augmenting number of students who chose to study in schools or universities outside their homeland every single year. 3.3 million students based throughout the world pursued international education in the year 2003; an increase of nearly 65% since the year 2000 (IEE, 2011). In the year 2012-13, the total count of international students at universities and colleges in the US increased by 7% from the previous year and reached a staggering value of 819,644 (IEE, 2014). This number represents a record figure of international students enrolled in the US universities and colleges. The growth was mainly driven by drastic rise in number of Chinese and Saudi Arabian students. The underlying reason behind such popularity as a centre of education can be attributed to superior quality standard that is set by the board in the field of education. The report by IEE (2011) suggests that experiences of international students have been by and large overwhelming. Being a conventional destination for higher education, the US has continued to grab attention of majority of international students and maintained the top position in terms of attracting international students. Ee (2013) has stated that according to international students, studying in the US is associated with both adventures and challenges. The students have to get acquainted with new universities and societies with varying cultural regulations and norms. Smith and Khwaja (2011) have explained that majority of the international students have both positive and adverse experiences while pursuing their education in a country other than their home country. The author has also stated that majority of the international students face challenges while studying in the US because of language barrier. This factor leads to other stressors in the socio-cultural and educational domain. When the educational domain is taken into consideration, students have been witnessed to have experienced problems while understanding lectures, writing assignments, giving presentations and so on and so forth (Smith and Khwaja, 2011). Moreover, international students experience socio-cultural barriers because of their inability to establish new network of people after leaving behind their friends and family. Decimation, although rarely visible, is still a prevalent stressor experienced by numerous international students. This results from verbal assaults, feeling of inferiority while seeking employment and even physical abuse (Lee and Rice, 2007). However, recently, the government as well as educational authorities has faced major challenges in terms of maintaining growth in the number of students that they have been experiencing over past few decades. It is believed that experiences that international students have while studying in US can explain the reason behind this challenge. This forms the context of this research paper. The relevance of this research paper lies in the illustration of international students’ experience while studying in the US. This will enable the researcher to develop an understanding about various dimensions of the education system in the US. In addition, the researcher will also explain the educational framework that exists in the country, which has been highly successful in providing world class educational experience to international students. 2. Managerial Problem While reviewing existing literatures that have commented on the experience of international students pursuing their education in countries other than their home countries, it was found that majority of the research studied experiences of international students studying in UK institutions. Very limited number of researches has been done on experiences of international students studying in US institutions. This is precisely the reason that inspired the researcher to look into this particular area so as to explain the experience of international students from a different perspective and compare it with explanations provided in the empirical literatures. 3. Aims and objectives To conduct an in-depth analysis of the experiences of international students pursuing their higher education in the US. To conduct an assessment of different dimensions of the education system in the US that is majorly responsible for providing such an experience to students. To comment on reasons behind the challenges faced by the government and educational authorities in maintaining growth of the international students. 4. Research Design Positivist philosophy will be adopted in order to conduct this research since this involves analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. The underlying objective of this paper is to study the relationship between various dimensions of the educational framework existing in the US and experiences of international students studying in institutions based in US. Therefore, adopting the positivist philosophy will enable the researcher to comprehend dependency between the two variables (Blaxter, Hughes and Tight, 2006). In order to conduct an in-depth analysis of issues that is being discussed within the research, inductive research approach has been deemed appropriate. The underlying reason behind adoption of the inductive approach is that this will allow the researcher to translate research observations into theoretical conclusions (Mukherji and Albon, 2009). 5. Data collection Data collection is one of the most crucial parts of a research study, which helps to ensure appropriateness of the research. Data will be collected from both secondary and primary sources. Journal articles, books, online databases and authentic websites will be used for the purpose of retrieving secondary data. As far as collection of primary data is concerned, it will be done using a multi-method approach. Over here, multi-method approach refers to a questionnaire survey combined with a focus group interview. Amalgamation of these data retrieval procedures along with implementation of the research design will provide the researcher with a more holistic approach, thereby enabling the researcher to address the research topic freely. 6. Anticipated Outcome It is anticipated that outcome of this research paper will be favourable towards the educational framework that exists in the US. It is expected that experiences of international students studying in the US will be by and large fulfilling. By conducting the research, the researcher hopes to gain valuable insight regarding experiences of international students studying in US, different dimensions of the education framework of US and recent challenges faced by the government and educational authorities in the field of education in context of international students’ growth rate. 7. Timeframe Reference List Bennell, P. and Pearce, T., 2003. The internationalization of higher education: exporting education to developing and transition economies. International Journal of Educational Development, 23, pp. 215–232. Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. and Tight, M., 2006. How to Research. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill International. Ee, J., 2013. “He’s an idiot!” Experiences of International Students in the United States. Journal of International Students, 3(1), pp. 72-75. IEE, 2011. What International Students Think About U.S. Higher Education: Attitudes and Perceptions of Prospective Students in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. [pdf] Institute of International Education Available at: [Accessed 19 March 2014]. IEE, 2014. Open Doors 2013: International Students in the United States and Study Abroad by American Students are at All-Time High. [online] Available at: http://www.iie.org/Who-We-Are/News-and-Events/Press-Center/Press-Releases/2013/2013-11-11-Open-Doors-Data [Accessed 19 March 2014]. Lee, J. J. and Rice, C., 2007. Welcome to America? International student perceptions of discrimination. Higher Education, 53, pp. 381-409. Mukherji, P. and Albon, D., 2009. Research Methods in Early Childhood: An Introductory Guide. London: SAGE. Smith, R. A. and Khwaja, N. G., 2011. A review of the acculturation experiences of international students. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35, pp. 699-713. PART 2 Critical Literature Review Introduction The topic of consumer behavior has long been an issue that is extensively discussed and researched in the field of management research. Consequently, the theory has had a significant impact in this field, leading many researchers and scholars to come up with their own ideas regarding the topic. Atanu Adhikari, through his article ‘Consumer Schools of Thought in Management Research: A Theoretical Perspective’, has also contributed in the field of management research by stating these ideas regarding consumers’ perspective in management and different theories of consumer behavior. It was during the period between 1950 and 1975, when consumers’ schools of theory pushed the theory related to perspectives of consumer behavior at the forefront of conversation and argument by assuming a leading role in the field of management research. It is since then that many empirical research scholars have made serious efforts in order to set forth their ideas regarding the theory .of consumer behavior. As a consequence of that, three fundamental theories of consumers’ perspective in management were introduced: Behavioral theory, Activist’s theory and Systems theory. The paper by Adhikari (2008) illustrates development of these schools of thought and their various dimensions. This is a critical literature review of the article ‘Consumer Schools of Thought in Management Research: A Theoretical Perspective’ by Atanu Adhikari, where the researcher will cater to review ideas set forth by the author. The following section involves a thorough discussion of critical issues related to the three schools of thought explained by the author. The ideas will be critically examined and corresponding arguments set forth by other researchers will also be provided (if relevant). Finally, a strong conclusion will be given that will include reflection of the researcher after conducting the literature review. Discussion The Buyer behavior school of thought, as highlighted by Adhikari (2008), sets forth various concepts of consumer behavior; this highlights implementations of such conceptual models into managerial strategies as well as decision making in the public, private and non-profit sectors. The ideas presented by this school of thought explain that there is a linkage between needs of consumers and goods that are exchanged in the market. Adhikari (2008) has illustrated that non-material goods such as, goodwill, personal services and patents, play a crucial role in influencing behavior of consumers towards a particular product or service. However, as far as usefulness of material object and human activity to a person is concerned, they only become relevant when the following conditions are satisfied: there is a need for the material object or the activity; the object or activity possesses certain properties that will fulfill the need; properties required to satisfy the need are recognized; and consumers have control over the object or activity. Majority of authors have shown their agreement to the first three conditions. Nonetheless, disagreements were voiced by several researchers over the fourth condition. According to Alderson (1957), the fact that a good is not useful until and unless the user has a legal control over its usage is irrelevant for a good that has not yet been purchased. Although this school of thought has contributed a lot in the field of management research, it has lost track of the roots of management to certain extent (Seth, Gardner and Garrett, 1988). Researchers have commented that owing to deviation from its management roots, buyer’s school of thought contributes very little to improve management practices (Engel, Blackwell and Kollat, 1972). The Activist’s school of thought explains the theory of consumerism that involves protection of consumers from all those organizations with which there is a trade of relationship. This school of thought takes into account the perspective of receivers of management practice, which includes consumers as well as the society as a whole. The activist school of thought sets forth the theory of social movements striving to enhance the rights and powers of sellers with respect to the buyers. The very first consumer movement was triggered by rising prices. That is why this school of thought was introduced in the field of management research so as to enhance the negotiation power of buyers relative to the sellers. This school of thought has made major contributions by citing the most pivotal business and consumer responses to ethical and social issues, thereby highlighting obligation of consumers in the process. However, the activist school of thought should cater to inspect each and every aspect of protest tactics and provide equal opportunity to all parties to present their opinions. In addition, researchers who continuously study different theories related to this school of thought should create a response mechanism, which will facilitate the following factors: understanding of consumer’s experience, listening to consumer complaints and responding appropriately and educating consumers. The Systems school of thought states that management must be viewed as a system. This school of thought has two extensive divisions; Microscopic and Macroscopic Management System. According to the systems school of thought, agency, activity and product are the most crucial aspects of macroscopic management system (Adhikari, 2008). According to the author, a system perspective integrates various elements or components into a strong network of management. As far as microscopic management systems are concerned, new products, advertisement and models of distribution are the three most important dimensions. Although the systems school of thought identifies various aspects of management system, the drawback lies in the failure to explain the rigorous functions of management. This is precisely because its interlocution was based more on economic perspective than the managerial perspective. This fails to assess the depth of ideas given in the field of management. Conclusion Having done an in-depth study of the conceptual models of consumer perspective in the field of management research, it can be said that Buyer, Activist’s and Systems schools of thought are based on non-economic standpoint of marketing. Nevertheless, this analysis is obtained from the surface. An in-depth analysis depicts prevalence of an economic perspective. Among the three schools of thought, the theory of consumerism explained by the activist’s school of thought has had a major contribution in the field of management research. The systems school of thought is also interactive in nature, which involves explanation of issues related to moral hazard and agency theory. Despite the fact that all these three schools of thought have their own inadequacies, they have made considerable contributions in developing theories of consumers’ perspective in management. Reference List Adhikari, A., 2008. Consumer Schools of Thought in Management Research: A Theoretical Perspective. The Icfaian Journal of Management Research, 7(2), pp. 67-75. Alderson, W., 1957. Marketing Behavior and Executive Action: A Functionalist Approach to Marketing Theory. Illinois: Irwin. Engel, J. F., Blackwell, R. D. and Kollat, D. T., 1972. The current status of consumer behavior research: developments during the 1968-1972 period. [online] Available at: [Accessed 20 March 2014]. Seth, J. N., Gardner, D. M. and Garrett, D. E., 1988. Management Theory: Evolution and Evaluation. 1st edition. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Read More