Information Seeking Behavior in ChatGPT: The Case of Programming Students from a Developing Economy

ChatGPT is a promising emerging technology that could revolutionize the programming-related activities of students in universities throughout their academic programs. However, to date, academics need understanding on information-seeking behavior of students in programming courses, its potential role, and benefits to learning and assessment. To answer this gap, this study develops a conceptual framework with hypotheses tested through a survey of higher education students to examine the use of ChatGPT for searching programming-related information. Results show that perceived ease of use, usefulness, social influence, herding, trustworthiness, convenience, and ethical considerations positively influenced the use of ChatGPT to search for programming-related information. Likewise, using ChatGPT is positively correlated with information-seeking behavior. Thus, ChatGPT is a promising tool that may bring forward programming activities to students and instructors. Practical and research implications are provided to broaden the conversation on ChatGPT further.