Meta-Analytic Findings of the Self-Controlled Motor Learning Literature: Underpowered, Biased, and Lacking Evidential Value

The self-controlled motor learning literature consists of experiments that compare a group learners who are provided with choice over an aspect their practice environment to yoked those choices. A qualitative review the suggests unambiguous benefit from practice. meta-analysis was conducted on effects retention test performance measures focus assessing and potentially correcting for selection bias in literature, such as publication p-hacking. First, naïve random model fit data moderate practice, g = .44 (k 52, N 2061, 95% CI [.31, .56]), found. Second, status added potential moderator, revealing significant difference between published unpublished findings, only former reporting Third, investigate adjust impact selectively statistically results, weight-function one-tailed p-value cutpoint .025. revealed substantial estimated true average effect self- controlled .107 (95% [.047, .18]). P-curve analyses were results outcome suggested lack evidential value. Fourth, suite sensitivity evaluate robustness these all which converged trivially small estimates. Overall, our suggest is not currently distinguishable zero.