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Procrastination and grades: Can students be nudged towards better outcomes?

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  • Nicholls, Nicky

Abstract

This study starts by examining the relationship between procrastination and grades. I use a large sample (n = 17,241) of timed submissions of online assessments, where having multiple observations for each individual makes it possible to control for individual fixed effects. The data confirm a significant negative relationship between procrastination and grades. To address procrastination, two “nudges” encouraging earlier submission were tested with a smaller class group. The first was a communication about social norms relating to submission times; and the second was an information nudge highlighting grade disadvantages of late submission. Disappointingly, neither nudge led to earlier average submission times. This finding adds to a small body of work suggesting that nudges might be less effective when trying to change habitual behaviours.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicholls, Nicky, 2023. "Procrastination and grades: Can students be nudged towards better outcomes?," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 42(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ireced:v:42:y:2023:i:c:s1477388022000238
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iree.2022.100256
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Procrastination; Higher education; Nudges;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • A20 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - General

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