In today’s episode, Greg and Eric discuss a new study reporting that 85% of highly cited meta-analyses in the field of strength and conditioning research contain at least one statistical error. The conversation covers common meta-analysis errors, how to spot them, and how to critically interpret meta-analyses. After that, Eric presents a segment on motivation and behavior change. He begins by reviewing evidence-based goal setting strategies, then discusses how we can leverage self-determination theory to get motivated to pursue our goals, and how we can lean on the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation, behavior) model to change behaviors in accordance with our goals. This leads to a unified, comprehensive, evidence-based model that covers goal setting, motivation, and behavior change from start to finish. SUPPORT THE PODCASTJoin the Research Spotlight newsletter: Get a two-minute breakdown of one recent study every Wednesday. Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.MacroFactorIf you want to learn more about our MacroFactor diet app, check it out  here.To join in on the MacroFactor conversation, check out our Facebook group and subreddit.CoachingGet personalized training and nutrition plans from our expert coaches: Learn more hereMASS Research Review Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.SponsorsBulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements,  be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order at BulkSupplements.com.Sports Nutrition Association: Learn more or become a member of SNA. The Sports Nutrition Association is dedicated to ensuring the sustainable prosperity of the Sports Nutrition Profession, and they offer a unique pathway to robust insurance coverage for your sports nutrition business. TIME STAMPSIntro/Announcements (0:00)Origins of meta-analyses (6:15)New study on meta-analysis errors (11:53)https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-022-01766-0The most common errors (17:10)Interpretation and conclusions (29:22)https://www.strongerbyscience.com/meta-analyses/Defining “motivation” (50:11)Goal setting (52:51)https://www.strongerbyscience.com/goal-setting/https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01879/fullMotivation (1:00:43)Self-determination theory (1:06:07)https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/research/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11392867/https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-68513-001Psychological needs (competence, relatedness, autonomy) (1:11:18)The COM-B model of behavior change (1:29:19)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096582/Practical application: a unified model combining goal hierarchies, self-determination theory, and the COM-B model of behavior change (1:37:30)