The Relationship Between Self – Efficacy and Readiness for Self – Directed Learning of Students at Vietnam University

Abstract

The research aims to investigate the readiness of self–directed learning, self–efficacy, and the relationship between them in students at the University of Social Science and Humanities Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. The study was administrated with the self-efficacy scale developed by Schwarzer, R., & Jerusalem, M. (1993) and the readiness for self–directed learning scale developed by Fisher et al. (2001, 2010). The total number of students at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City was 12,540 students (according to the second term of the academic year 2020–2021). This study’s sample was calculated with the formula developed by Watson (2001). With a confidence level of 95% and a variable value of 50%, in the results table of Watson's sample size for a total population of 10,000 to 15,000 people, the sample size for this study ranged from 385 to 390 people. The official sample of 395 students was suitable, which could represent the total population according to Watson (2001). Research results showed that the level of self-efficacy and readiness for self–directed learning among students at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City was at an intermediate level. In particular, the results indicated that there was a difference between different academic–year students and readiness for self–directed learning. Research results implied that there was a close correlation between self-efficacy and readiness for self–directed learning in students.