Analysis Relationship between Educational Service Quality and Self-Directed Learning Skills among Agricultural Students of Tarbiat Modares University

Nowadays readiness for self-directing learning in order to improve in higher education graduate student’s life-long learning skills is emphasized. The purpose of this study was to analyse relationship between educational service quality and self-directed learning skills among the agricultural students of Tarbiat ModaresUniversity. Research was descriptive-correlation and survey method was used. Statistical population consisted of student of Tarbiat Modares University in 2011-2012 academic year (N=414). Using Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) table and stratified random sampling technique 210 students were selected as sample (n=210). Questionnaire was the main tool for data collectin. Face and content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel expertof agricultural extension and education and its reliability was determined by calculating Cronbach’s alpha for educational service quality and self-directed learning lkills 0.80 and 0.78 respectively. Findings showed that among self-directed learning skills, communication skill and learning activities had highest and lowest priorities, respectively. Also, among educational service quality, empathy and physical conditions components had highest and lowest priorities, respectively. Correlation results showed that there were positive and significant correlation between three components of educational service quality (responsibility, assurance and empathy) and self-directed learning skills. Multiple regression results showed that these three variables could explained 56 percent of variance of self-directed learning skills.