Boosting Attendance through Goal-Setting

A Synapse Lab Seminar

• Date: Friday, May 3rd, 1 - 2 p.m.
• Place: UiS School of Business and Law, Room EOJ 276/277
• Title: Boosting Attendance through Goal-Setting: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment

We will have Dr. Angus Holford from University of Essex giving a presentation for the Synapse lab.

Abstract:

Can goal-setting improve student attendance? We implemented a randomized trial on more than 1000 students at a UK public university. Treated students set an attendance goal for the spring term of their second academic year, received weekly text reminders of and feedback on progress against that goal, and could opt to enter a commitment contract that would unlock a share of their compensation only if they achieved their goal. The intervention had a positive and statistically significant effect on attendance to lectures. Treated students recorded a 4.2% increase in participation over the remaining 6 weeks of the semester after the experiment was completed. This corresponded roughly to 1 more lecture attended over the whole term. Students that took a commitment contract tied to financial incentive showed the largest improvement in attendance (10%) over the same weeks. We find no impact of the treatment on student GPA at the end of the term or on other academic performance indicators. We also do not find any change in students' well-being.