Students using ChatGPT 3.5 experience lower extraneous cognitive load than students using Google during a web research task¶
Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · causalr2·q3·i2medium
Currency · newest study 2024 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person
Subclaims¶
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This claim: no standardized effect is recorded in observations/ for it yet, so no benchmark reading is possible.
q3 i2 Students in the LLM condition reported significantly lower extraneous cognitive load than students in the web search condition, adjusted for prior knowledge (η² = 0.09). → Matthias Stadler 2024
Evidence¶
Matthias Stadler 2024¶
Matthias Stadler, Maria Bannert, Michael Sailer. (2024). Cognitive ease at a cost: LLMs reduce mental effort but compromise depth in student scientific inquiry. Computers in Human Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2024.108386
q3 · i2 · causal · r2
ANCOVA comparing group means controlling for prior knowledge in a randomized experiment with 91 university students (web search n=47, LLM n=44). The LLM group's mean ECL was 3.00 (SD 1.67) versus 3.96 (SD 1.55) for web search, with "8.26 0.005 0.09", i.e., η² = 0.09, a small effect.
"H1.1-ECL 3.96(1.55) 3.00(1.67) 8.26 0.005 0.09"
Discussion¶
Learner Variables¶
- Working Memory — outcome: instruction changes it
Related Claims¶
- Students using ChatGPT 3.5 experience lower intrinsic cognitive load than students using Google during a web research task — related
- Students using ChatGPT 3.5 experience lower germane cognitive load than students using Google, the strongest of the three load differences — related
- Students using Google produce higher-quality justifications in their final recommendations than students using ChatGPT 3.5 — related
- Higher extraneous cognitive load predicted lower post-test scores after controlling for prior knowledge — related
- ChatGPT users showed a non-significant trend toward worse overall informal learning outcomes than Google Search users over 8 days — related
- ChatGPT users differentiated information less (never by credibility) and rarely verified information compared to Google users — related
- Germane cognitive load fully mediates the effect of information-search tool on justification quality (exploratory analysis) — related
- Variations in material design are reflected in the extraneous cognitive load scale: worked examples and integrated formats lower ECL — related
- Recommendation homogeneity does not differ between students using ChatGPT 3.5 and students using Google — related
- Higher germane load and lower extraneous load mediate the effect of instructional guidance on conceptual knowledge — related
- ChatGPT participants experienced meta-cognitive load and frictions, with slightly more unsatisfied endings than Google participants — related
- High- and low-prior-knowledge learners differ significantly on an algebra posttest and on intrinsic and germane cognitive load, but not on extraneous load — related
- LLM-supported socio-scientific inquiry lowered cognitive load but produced lower-quality reasoning and argumentation than conventional search — a broader claim this one bears on
Page metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
type |
claim |
id |
llm-search-lower-extraneous-cognitive-load |
title |
Students using ChatGPT 3.5 experience lower extraneous cognitive load than students using Google during a web research task |
description |
Students using ChatGPT 3.5 experience lower extraneous cognitive load than students using Google during a web research task |
status |
review |
evidence_strength |
moderate |
newest_evidence |
2024 |
generated |
by process:wiki-ingest on 2026-10-15 |
trust |
unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content |
sources |
1 — matthias-stadler-2024 |
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