GOAL - SETTING INTERVENTION: A META-ANALYTIC EXAMINATION OF EXPERIMNTAL STUDIES FROM THE DOMAIN OF FORMAL AND INFORMAL EDUCATION IN ADULT POPULATION

A quantitative meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the empirical support for the effect of well controlled experimental studies which addressed the improvement of objectively measured performance in academic and organizational- training setting in adult population- trough goal-setting intervention. In our digital age these relatively low-budget interventions may help individuals in achieving better performance in formal and informal learning and performance outcome and this qualitative analysis might help in the identification of relevant aspects for future research and applied intervention. We conducted the analysis in order to have a better image on the effect size of these interventions on the adult performance. We have found a small, but statistically significant overall effect size (D= 0.35, p<0.001, k=9, N = 1232). The results of studies were contradictious for goal-setting interventions effect on performance both in academic field and work related training. However source of variation in findings were discovered, including the setting in which the study took place and the manner in which the goal-setting intervention was operationalized. The status of participants and also the outcome level has shown difference in the size effect of the interventions. The implication of these differences are analyzed and presented.