Analysis of the Relationship between Self-Directed Learning Skills and Entrepreneurial Intention among Agriculture and Natural Resources Students of University of Zabol

Abstract

Today, educating entrepreneurial students is one of the main goals of higher education systems and universities. One of the most important strategies for educating entrepreneurial students is to strengthen their self-directed learning skills. In this regard, analyzing the relationship between self-directed learning skills and entrepreneurial intention among agricultural and natural resources students of University of Zabol was determined as the main purpose of this research. This study is an applied research which was carried out using survey technique. The statistical population of the study included all students of the faculties of "agriculture, water and soil, and natural resources" at University of Zabol in academic years of 2016-17 and 2017-18. From whom, 210 students were selected as the samples. A stratified random sampling method was used to select the samples. Research tool was a questionnaire which its validity confirmed by a panel of academic experts. Cronbach's alpha coefficients demonstrated an acceptable reliability for the research tool (α=0.71-0.84). The results showed that four variables communication skills, learning strategies, evaluation skills, and learning activities had significant positive effects on the entrepreneurial intention of students. Also, independent variables were able to predict 42.1% of variance changes in entrepreneurial intention.