How much does it differ? How much does it matter? The research experience of Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong students in a Hong Kong University

Abstract

Using the invariance test, this study compared the research experiences of students from two sibling cultural groups in a Hong Kong context. Data were collected from 304 Mainland Chinese and 225 local Hong Kong research students. Their research experiences were measured using the Student Research Experience Questionnaire (SREQ) and two scales developed from previous studies on research students in Hong Kong (Peer Support and Communication with Supervisor). The data supported the construct validity, consistency, and the measurement equivalence of all measurements. The data showed that Mainland Chinese students had significantly higher satisfaction with Infrastructure, Intellectual and Social Climate, and Peer Support and marginally higher satisfaction with Supervision, Communication with Supervisors than local Hong Kong students. The invariance tests indicated nonsignificant difference in the path models of the two groups. Two SREQ scales contributed significantly to students’ overall satisfaction. The new scales added contributed significantly to students’ development in generic skills.