Scale Validation of Self-Directed Learning Readiness Among Commerce Undergraduates: A Focus on Self-Management and Desire for Learning

The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale was developed to assess students’ readiness for self-directed learning (SDL) and help educators modify teaching strategies accordingly. This study aims to validate ‘Self-management’ and ‘Desire for learning’ scales for commerce students in Indian universities. An online questionnaire was administered to 81 Commerce Undergraduate students, consisting of 19 items across two subscales: Self-management (10 items) and Desire for learning (9 items). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed using AMOS (version 17) on two one-factor models due to the small sample size. Eight items were retained for the Self-management construct, with factor loadings ranging from 0.255 to 0.767. All nine items were retained for the ‘Desire for learning’ construct, with factor loadings ranging from 0.248 to 0.794. Model fit indices indicated good fit for both constructs: Self-management (RMSEA = 0.069, CMIN/DF = 1.385, p-value = 0.122) and Desire for learning (RMSEA = 0.042, CMIN/DF = 1.139, p-value = 0.282). The findings support the validity of these two constructs for commerce students in India. The validated scale can help instructors design and modify their pedagogy accordingly This scale can be a useful tool for academicians Indian universities in diagnosing students’ learning needs and adapting teaching strategies accordingly, particularly in light of the introduction of skill-based courses and elective papers in the National Education Policy 2020.