ArticleJournal of effective teaching in higher education2022
Crossword Puzzles and Knowledge Retention.
Article in Journal of effective teaching in higher education, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Active learning-based reinforcement in nursing education: a cluster-randomized controlled trial using Roper, Logan and Tierney's life model.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S P · 2026Trial
- The Use of Puzzles as a Teaching Technique in Nursing Education: A Randomized Controlled Study.Journal of evaluation in clinical practice · 2025Trial
- Which Active Learning Method is More Effective? A Comparison of Crossword Puzzles and Mind Mapping in Teaching Emergency Trolley Medications to Anesthesia Students.Journal of advances in medical education & professionalism · 2026Article
- Improving learning outcomes of medical terminology course through classroom-based gamified crossword puzzle activities.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
- Evidence-Based Crossword Puzzles for Health Professions Education: A Systematic Review.Medical science educator · 2024Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Students perceive crossword puzzles as enjoyable. In addition to students' perceptions, crossword puzzles actually improve knowledge retention. However, crossword puzzles increased exam scores for some students but not others. Recommendations have been made for students to create puzzles for their classmates to complete with the rationale that students are encouraged to research and understand the material in order to write meaningful clues for the puzzle. While students enjoy creating their own crossword puzzles, the association between students creating crossword puzzles and knowledge retention is unknown. The purpose of this project was to determine if creating crossword puzzles and completing peers' crossword puzzles were associated with improved knowledge retention indicated by higher scores on quizzes. Students in a research course from two institutions across three semesters had the option each week to upload a blank puzzle they created prior to completing each other's puzzles and taking a quiz. Quiz scores were compared between those who did versus did not create their own puzzles and complete their peers' puzzles. Results varied by institution and programs, as well as the same program within the same institution but different semesters. Results highlight the importance of moving beyond student perceptions and towards assessing knowledge retention while taking into consideration institution, program, and semester.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.