Goal Setting as a Motivator for Student Performance: Evidence from Lab Experiments

Saha, B.; Roy, S.

Goal Setting as a Motivator for Student Performance: Evidence from Lab Experiments

Saha, B.; Roy, S.

Authors

Dr Bibhas Saha b.c.saha@durham.ac.uk
Associate Professor

S. Roy

Abstract

Can goal-setting motivate college-level students to improve their performance? We report the results of a two-stage study designed to test the effects of performance-based versus action-based goals. We find that performance-based goals are not significantly motivating but action-based goals are. Our equation specifications capture the dynamic interaction between goal setting, attainment, and revision as students are permitted to revise their targets through the semester. We find that the performance trajectory of attainers is different from that of non-attainers. Whether targets were revised, and in which direction, also seems to matter. Our findings have implications goal-setting interventions targeted towards at-risk students.

Citation

Saha, B., & Roy, S. (2019). Goal Setting as a Motivator for Student Performance: Evidence from Lab Experiments. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 19(3), 153-165

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Apr 14, 2019
Publication Date	Jan 1, 2019
Deposit Date	May 1, 2019
Publicly Available Date	Jul 30, 2019
Journal	Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice
Print ISSN	2158-3595
Publisher	North American Business Press
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	19
Issue	3
Pages	153-165
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1303022
Publisher URL	http://www.na-businesspress.com/jhetpopen.html