Hitting the Mark: The Power of Self-Chosen Goals in Academic Success

Last registered on December 17, 2024

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Hitting the Mark: The Power of Self-Chosen Goals in Academic Success
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0015033
Initial registration date
December 15, 2024

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
December 17, 2024, 9:03 AM EST

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Region

Primary Investigator

Affiliation
SKEMA Business School

Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Status
Completed
Start date
2024-02-01
End date
2024-07-31
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
This paper examines the causal impact of self-chosen performance, learning, and behavioral goals on student motivation and academic performance in a college Microeconomics course. Using a randomized controlled trial, students were assigned to one of four groups: a control group with no specific goals, or treatment groups that self-select their own performance, learning, or behavioral goals. We find that self-chosen goals enhance academic outcomes compared to a control group, with learning and behavioral goals yielding significant effects. Performance goals drive higher achievement through increased effort, learning goals facilitate deeper engagement, and behavioral goals promote consistent productive habits。
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Su, Yuxin. 2024. "Hitting the Mark: The Power of Self-Chosen Goals in Academic Success." AEA RCT Registry. December 17. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.15033-1.0
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
In this paper, we examine the long-term effects of self-chosen performance, learning, and behavioral goals on student outcomes. We conduct a robust experimental design where students enrolled in a Microeconomics course are randomly assigned to one of four groups: a control group with no specific goals, and three treatment groups where students self select their own performance goals, learning goals, or behavioral goals.
Intervention (Hidden)
Intervention Start Date
2024-02-01
Intervention End Date
2024-07-31

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
students' academic performance, students' goal-setting
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
At the beginning of the semester, students were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: a control group, a performance goal group, a learning goal group, and a behavioral goal group. The study comprised three surveys administered at different points in the semester. Survey 1 was completed at the start of the term, Survey 2 was administered one week before the midterm exam, and Survey 3 was given before the final exam. These surveys included general questions applicable to all participants as well as specific questions tailored to the different treatment groups.
Experimental Design Details
Randomization Method
by computer
Randomization Unit
Individual
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
281 participants in 8 sections
Sample size: planned number of observations
281 participants
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
control: 70,
treatment1: 71,
treatment2: 70,
treatment3: 70
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials