Study training helped students get better grades and motivation.

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   5,786 university students took part in 49 studies, found by searches up to January 2021. Studies of school pupils, workers and students with learning difficulties were left out.

2. 02

   What they did

   Each programme taught several study methods, such as planning and checking progress, in real classes. Each was compared with a group that was not given the training.

3. 03

   What happened

   The gains were small to medium, and most measures were questionnaires students filled in. Published studies showed bigger grade gains than unpublished ones, so grades are less certain. Programmes built on planning and checking did better for grades than basic ones.

What the review found

1. HelpedGoals

   Across 31 studies, study training raised grades more than the other group did.

   • Action: Learn better study strategiestested

   Pooled analysis of 31 studies · vs students not given the training · ⚠ signs that small negative studies went unpublished; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

2. HelpedMotivation

   Across 24 studies, study training made students more motivated than the other group did.

   • Action: Learn better study strategiestested

   Pooled analysis of 24 studies · vs students not given the training · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

3. HelpedOther outcomes

   Across 29 studies, students rated themselves as using more planning and checking than the other group did.

   • Action: Learn better study strategiestested

   Pooled analysis of 29 studies · vs students not given the training · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

Source