The information needs of the Ghanaian immigrant
Information and Learning Sciences
ISSN: 2398-5348
Article publication date: 18 May 2018
Issue publication date: 30 July 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the information needs of Ghanaian immigrants who have settled in Maryland in the USA.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an ethnographic approach, immigrants from Ghana shared their information needs, challenges and sources they rely upon for information. In total, 50 Ghanaian immigrants participated in this study.
Findings
Findings indicate that like many immigrant populations, Ghanaians who have immigrated to the USA primarily rely on personal networks, mediated through social media, as their primary sources of information. Despite the availability of immigration resources in the library, Ghanaian immigrants may not view it as a useful resource.
Social implications
While this study examines a single immigrant population, its social implications are important to libraries who aim to serve immigrant populations in their community.
Originality/value
This study provides new information about African immigrant population, a population whose information needs have rarely been covered in the literature.
Keywords
Citation
Atiso, K., Kammer, J. and Adkins, D. (2018), "The information needs of the Ghanaian immigrant", Information and Learning Sciences, Vol. 119 No. 5/6, pp. 317-329. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-02-2018-0013
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited