Center for Randomized Field Trials

What is the aim of the cross-sectional area Center for Randomized Field Trials?
The Center for Randomized Field Trials focuses on the application of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The cross-sectional area aims to establish the Hector Research Institute as a leading center for RCTs in Germany by consolidating and systematically expanding existing expertise.

How can schools benefit from this research?
The Center’s studies aim not only to assess the effectiveness of interventions but also to contribute to theory development, systematically investigate the quality of intervention implementation, and integrate methods such as learning analytics.

HUB-Responsibles

Prof. Dr. Benjamin Nagengast

Recent Publications

Gaspard, H., Parrisius, C., Piesch, H., Kleinhansl, M., Wille, E., Nagengast, B., Trautwein, U., & Hulleman, C.S. (2021). The potential of relevance interventions for scaling up: A cluster-randomized trial testing the effectiveness of a relevance intervention in math classrooms. Journal of Educational Psychology, 113(8), 1507-1528. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000663
Trautwein, U., Gaspard, H., Parrisius, C., Bertram, C., Wagner, W., Zachrich, L., Golle, J., Ruth-Herbein, E., Schiefer, J., Jaggy, A.-K., Kleinhansl, M., & Nagengast, B. (2022). Optimierung schulischer Bildungsprozesse: Welchen Beitrag können randomisierte Feldstudien leisten? In N. McElvany, M. Becker, F. Lauermann, H. Gaspard & A. Ohle-Peters (Eds.), Optimierung schulischer Bildungsprozesse – What works? Dortmunder Symposium der Empirischen Bildungsforschung, Band 6 (p. 9-32). Münster: Waxmann.

Selected Projects

MoMa
Mathematics is a crucial competency for academic and professional success. The MoMa project aims to enhance motivation in mathematics classes for ninth-grade students using proven intervention approaches.

Hector Children's Academy
The Hector Children's Academies offer a specially designed enrichment program for particularly gifted and highly gifted primary school children in addition to their regular school curriculum. The program is scientifically supported by the Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education (DIPF) and the Hector Research Institute.

SEGEL
The SEGEL project explores the role of subjectivity and emotionality in literary discussions in German language classes. It examines the hypothesis that these aspects are crucial for the success of conversations about literature.

Zeitzeug:innenbefragung
This project investigates the impact of time witness interviews in history classes on students' historical competencies, factual knowledge, and interest in history. Eyewitnesses are often perceived as more credible than written sources, making their use both exciting and risky.