How to stay motivated: what the research says
Motivation here means how much you want to do a task: your interest, engagement or confidence that you can do it, measured as the main outcome. These are the actions and rules that studies have tested, rated by how sure the research is and how much they helped.
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HelpedMotivation
An app may help midwifery students with motivation and time
60 people · Randomised · 2 tools tested
HelpedTime management
A therapy programme may help college students with ADHD manage time and daily life.
250 people · Randomised · 2 tools tested
HelpedMotivation
Chatbot lessons may raise interest in learning, not test scores
99 people · Trial · 2 tools tested
No comparisonMotivation
Remote class may lower motivation and closeness to peers
14 people · One group
No comparisonMotivation
Speaking English with Google Assistant may make teens more willing to talk
112 people · One group
HelpedTime management
Online training plus daily app diaries may help students manage time better.
73 people · Randomised · 6 tools tested
MixedProcrastination
If-then plans shrank the gap to planned bedtimes, but bedtimes didn't get earlier
561 people · Randomised · 1 tool tested
HelpedGoals
Teaching students to manage their own writing may lift essay scores
80 people · Randomised · 2 tools tested
HelpedGoals
Game-style training led children to do more extra practice, but not to improve more
26 people · Trial · 2 tools tested
HelpedMotivation
Programmes that back people's own reasons may give motivation a modest boost.
60 studies pooled
No comparisonMotivation
One ADHD workshop for families may raise knowledge but not reduce stigma
35 people · One group
HelpedGoals
Points, levels and leaderboards led to more tags but not more enjoyment.
273 people · Randomised · 3 tools tested
HelpedMotivation
Judging own work helped students use study strategies a bit and feel more capable.
12 studies pooled · 369 people · 1 tool tested
HelpedMotivation
Class lessons on why maths matters made students value it more
1,916 people · Randomised · 2 tools tested
No differenceMotivation
Coaching helped students reach their goals but did not cut putting things off
108 people · Randomised · 1 tool tested
HelpedMotivation
Efforts to boost motivation helped students, but results varied
92 studies pooled · 38,377 people
HelpedGoals
Two short sessions raised grades for women in engineering majors with few women
228 people · Randomised · 2 tools tested
HelpedMotivation
Teacher training may have cut students' lack of reasons to take part in PE.
598 people · Randomised
No comparisonMotivation
A strengths programme may help college students feel more in charge
7 people · One group · 4 tools used
HelpedGoals
Points, levels and leaderboards led to more tags but did not change motivation
295 people · Randomised · 3 tools tested
HelpedGoals
A game-style master's course may have raised attendance and posts
77 people · Trial · 5 tools tested
HelpedTime management
A mindfulness course may have helped students manage time, but not their focus
40 people · Randomised · 4 tools tested
HelpedGoals
A guided talk gave patients a modest edge, with clear gains on alcohol.
48 studies pooled · 9,618 people · 1 tool tested
