Satisfiers and dissatisfiers for international vocational education students: A case study using narrative frames

Abstract or Summary

Abstract While the satisfaction of international students is frequently surveyed, much of this research is based on a very limited range of closed-item data collection methods, producing findings that partially reflect the researchers’ assumptions in designing the question items. Recognizing the potential value in using more open methods and qualitative analyses, the present study employed narrative frames and follow-up interviews to explore the satisfiers and dissatisfiers for 108 international vocational education students at one institution in New Zealand. Reporting on perceptions of the classroom, institution and community, the findings identify the participants’ top-of-mind (dis)satisfiers and complement the existing literature by identifying seldom-reported themes. Discussion is also provided of issues in the qualitative analysis of narrative frames.