Self-efficacy and Online Learning Readiness of Undergraduate Dental Students in Pakistan During COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective:To investigate the correlation between general self-efficacy and online learning readiness among Pakistani undergraduate dental students. Study Design:Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study:Riphah International University, Islamabad, between September 2020 and March 2021. Methodology:Using cluster sampling, three dental colleges of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were selected. Electronic questionnaires were sent to 750 students. The questionnaire was comprised of two instruments, General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Online Learning Readiness Scale (OLRS). GSES had 10-items with response measurement on four-point Likert scale, while the OLRS had 18 items in five different domains measured by five-point Likert scale. Data were analysed using SPSS-23. Correlation between dependent variables was calculated using linear regression analysis. Results:The response rate was 59.3% with a predominant response from female students (82.2%) compared with male students (17.8%). The majority of responses were recorded from third year students (27.9%). The year four students' scores for GSE, computer and internet self-efficacy, and self-directed learning differed significantly from other students. The overall mean GSE score was 29.37+4.57. Regression indicated a low degree of correlation between GSE and the five domains of OLRS with r2 values ranging from 0.12 to 0.32. Conclusion:A weak to moderate correlation was found between self-efficacy and the five dimensions of online learning readiness among Pakistani undergraduate dental students as depicted by the r-values.