Coping with culture shock: a study of stressors, adjustments and stereotypes among chinese students at bangkok university

Chapter 3 Methodology

In this chapter, research methodology is presented and data collection is discussed. Also, the population and how they will be selected will be highlighted in the beginning of this chapter; moreover, instrument is noted in this part.

1. Population & Sample

In my research, the population is Chinese students in Bangkok University in both undergraduate and graduate. Only Chinese student, who hold a passport of PRC, is acceptable sample in the research. And totally, there are 70 Chinese students currently studying in Bangkok University. In the research, 40 Chinese students (respondents) are selected for interviews in both male and female. This research is conducted in Bangkok, Thailand; and those respondents are currently living and studying in Bangkok.

Purposeful sampling techniques were used to collect data. One-to-one interview and telephone interview are the method to collect data from 40 Chinese students. There are totally 50 days used to contact respondents and interview them; and place of interview is flexible due to respondents’ convenience.

According to criteria of culture shock, Honeymoon, crisis, recovery and adjustment are four stages in culture shock. In the research, selection of Chinese students is based on the criteria of culture shock. There are 10 Chinese students selected in each stage of culture shock; and totally, 40 Chinese students are selected. The first group, 10 respondents are required less than 6 months (half year) in period of stay in Thailand; the second group, 10 respondents are required 6-18 months (half to one and half year) in period of stay in Thailand; the third group, 10 respondents are required 18-30 (one and half year s to two and half years) months in period of stay in Thailand; and the last group,

10 respondents are required 30 months up (more than two and half years) in period of stay in Thailand.

2.