On the correlation between problem-solving skills and online information-seeking behavior of English for specific purposes students

Background: Individuals’ information-seeking behaviors differ, depending on whether they perceive themselves as effective problem-solvers or not. As such, the present study examined the relationship between problem solving skill and online information-seeking behavior of students of medical sciences in general and English for specific purposes (ESP) courses. Methods: The present study is an applied research that adopted a survey method. The participants were ۲۳۲ students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences and faculty of paramedical sciences, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah branch. This research was conducted in ۲۰۱۹- ۲۰۲۰ during the time of COVID-۱۹. The sampling method in this study was available sampling. The researchers selected the students who used the Internet to meet their information needs in their ESP courses. A problemsolving questionnaire and a researcher-made scale were employed in the study to investigate the participants’ information-seeking behavior. To determine the reliability of the Problem-solving questionnaire and online information-seeking behavior, we used Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The results of the test indicated that the reliability of the problem-solving questionnaire was ۰.۸۵۲, and that of the online information-seeking behavior questionnaire was ۰.۷۷۸, which is considered an acceptable level. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage and mean and inferential statistics including Pearson correlation matrix and multiple regression using SPSS software version ۲۲. Result: The findings showed that there was a correlation between the scales of problem solving including, problem solving confidence (P<۰.۰۰۱), approach‐avoidance style (P<۰.۰۰۱), and personal control (P<۰.۰۰۱) with and information-seeking behavior in general and ESP courses. In addition, the results of multiple regression analysis revealed that the variable of problem solving confidence (β=۰.۲۷۵, P<۰.۰۵) and personal control (β=- ۰.۱۷۹, P<۰.۰۵) could significantly explain information-seeking behavior of paramedical sciences students in general and ESP courses; however, the avoidance style had no contribution to this study (P>۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Medical students’ success in general and ESP courses need their proper online information seeking behavior which can result in improvement in their problem solving skill. The findings may provide deeper insights regarding the potential relationship between problem solving skill and online information-seeking behavior of students of medical sciences. More specifically, the role of computer- assisted language learning (CALL) in ESP courses is emphasized.