Perceived eHealth Literacy vis-a-vis Information Search Outcome: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Based on self-efficacy theory, our study investigated the relationship between perceived eHealth literacy and information search outcome. Information search outcome was measured by knowledge gained and the change in confidence level. We developed two hypotheses suggesting that high perceived eHealth literacy participants will gain more knowledge and become more confident in their post-search answers. A quasi-experimental study was conducted. 17 participants each from high and low perceived eHealth literacy groups used Google search engine to search for three topics, each with three factual questions. The results showed that both perceived eHealth literacy groups were able to find the correct answers, but only high perceived eHealth literacy participants were more confident in their search outcome. The finding corroborates the positive relationship between efficacy and outcome expectations in self-efficacy theory.