Deconstructing Dualities: An International Student Index as a Critical Alternative to Binary Classifications

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 11:45 am - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: Reconceptualizing Measurement, Classification, and Validity in Critical Quantitative Work

Abstract

This paper introduces the International Student Index (ISI) as a novel quantitative tool for exploring the experiences of international students in higher education research. Unlike binary approaches, which make use of the oppositional categories of self/other, this index offers a unique perspective by highlighting the structural heterogeneity among international students and recognizing the nuanced aspects of their identities. The ISI is a multidimensional and equity-oriented alternative which captures the complexity of international students’ realities, beyond social identities. As institutions increasingly claim equity commitments, tools like the ISI are essential for capturing complexity, informing practice, and challenging the binary logics embedded in traditional research and assessment.

Authors

• Yun-Han Weng, The Ohio State University

• Anisha Gill-Morris, The Ohio State University

• Matthew J. Mayhew, The Ohio State University