title: Self-directed learning and research attitudes among medical students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the correlation between Self-directed Learning (SDL) and medical students' attitude towards research, based on the premise that self-directed learners are independent, motivated, and curious learners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi, from August 2011 to January 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and ninety-four students of final (5th) year class at Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi participated in this cross-sectional study. SDL ability of students was measured using Oddi's Continuing Learning Inventory (OCLI) whereas Attitude Towards Research (ATR) scale was used to measure their research attitudes. Spearman's rank-order analysis was performed to measure correlation between SDL scores on OCLI and all the 18 items on ATR scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant relationships with correlation coefficients ranging from +0.12 to +0.32 were found for the correlation between scores on the OCLI and eleven statements highlighting research use and positive attributes of research (14 items). Those students who participated in extra-curricular research projects (n=58, 29.9%) had relatively higher scores on OCLI as compared to those who did not participate (n=136, 70.1%, p=0.041).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-directed learners show a positive attitude towards research, though the relationship is not strong.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi.
authors.forename: Waqas
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mahmud
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haroon
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Munir
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hyder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D012106:Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult