“We Need Psychological Support”: the information needs and seeking behaviors of African refugees in the United States
Aslib Journal of Information Management
ISSN: 2050-3806
Article publication date: 13 October 2020
Issue publication date: 20 November 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the information needs and seeking behaviors of African refugees in the Midwest United States. The research also investigates the sources participants consulted and their satisfaction with their information seeking and the information found.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative research study recruited 18 African refugees to participate in one or more data collection modes used in the study (questionnaire, interview, focus group). The data were analyzed using qualitative open, axial and selective coding approaches to identify themes.
Findings
The analysis of the data collected provides evidence that refugees had specific information needs centered on housing, health care, employment and education. They were not necessarily satisfied with the information they were able to find. Participants reported initially relying heavily on their caseworkers as sources of information when they first arrived in the United States until they were able to establish larger networks of contacts, which then expanded their information behaviors.
Research limitations/implications
The number of participants and regional focus of the study do not allow for generalization of the findings to all African refugees in the United States. Still, the findings shed light on how to better serve the information needs of African refugees to help them adjust to life in their new environment.
Practical implications
The findings of the study provide guidance for agencies that assist African refugees in adjusting to life in the United States.
Originality/value
This study represents one of the few investigations of the information needs and seeking behaviors of African refugees in the United States.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments.
Citation
Hassan, M.D. and Wolfram, D. (2020), "“We Need Psychological Support”: the information needs and seeking behaviors of African refugees in the United States", Aslib Journal of Information Management, Vol. 72 No. 6, pp. 869-885. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJIM-10-2019-0299
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited