---
title: "Self-explanation: What the Research Says"
description: "Plain-language summaries of studies on self-explanation: methods, findings, effect sizes and limitations."
canonical: https://research.askpoppy.ai/topics/self-explanation/
last_updated: 2026-10-21
---

# Self-explanation: research in plain words

Explaining to yourself why each step works, while you study or solve problems.

## Summaries (1)

### [Prompting learners to explain to themselves helps: a meta-analysis of 64 reports](/papers/bisra-2018-inducing-self-explanation-meta-analysis/)

Kiran Bisra et al. (2018) · Meta-analysis · Peer-reviewed

Across 69 effect sizes from 64 research reports, learners who were prompted to explain the material to themselves while studying or solving problems learned more than those who weren't. The average benefit was medium-sized and showed up across many subjects and settings.

## Free tools for this

- [Explain it back (Feynman self-check)](https://learn.askpoppy.ai/explain-it-back/)
- [7-day learn-out-loud challenge](https://learn.askpoppy.ai/learn-out-loud/)

Each summary says what the researchers did, who took part, what they found, the limitations, and whether we read the full paper or only the abstract.

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