A Meta-Analytic Investigation of the Impact of Curiosity-Enhancing Interventions

Abstract

This is the data file for a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis consolidated the effects of curiosity enhancing interventions. Across 41 randomized controlled trials, with a total of 4,496 participants, interventions significantly increased curiosity. The weighted effect size was Hedges' g =.57 [95% CIs 0.44, 0.70]. The studies included in the meta-analysis used a variety of principles to stimulate curiosity and were conducted with participants in various age groups. The studies used various measures of creativity and measured effects over different time periods. Because higher levels of curiosity tend to be associated with various beneficial outcomes, the finding that across studies interventions are effective in increasing curiosity holds promise for future efforts to increase curiosity to bring about additional benefits.