Effects of gamification on mathematics motivation show substantial heterogeneity (I² = 80.74%), mostly within-study¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · quant-synthesis r2 · q3
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? Variance decomposition attributed 31.56% of total variance to between-study differences and 49.18% to within-study heterogeneity, with overall I² = 80.74%. → Ratinho 2026

Evidence¶

Ratinho 2026¶

Ratinho, E., Figueiredo, M., Estêvão, D., Faísca, L., & Martins, C. (2026). Gamification on Mathematics Engagement and Motivation in Secondary School and Higher Education: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10108-1

q3 · i? · quant-synthesis · r2

Heterogeneity analysis within the three-level CHE-RVE meta-analysis of 29 effect sizes from 11 studies. The article reports "The overall I2 was 80.74%", indicating most variability cannot be attributed to sampling error alone; no effect size is printed for this decomposition.

"Variance decomposition showed that 31.56% of the total variance was attributable to between-study differences (Level 3), whereas 49.18% reflected within-study heterogeneity (Level 2) arising from multiple correlated outcomes reported within the same studies. The overall I2 was 80.74%"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Gamification has small positive effects on cognitive, motivational and behavioral learning outcomes — related
• Most of the 45 reviewed studies report positive gamification effects on motivation and engagement in mathematics; only four report negative effects — related