Correlation between learning styles and the characteristics of nursing and midwifery students in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences using the VARK model

Exploring factors affecting learning is crucial for resolving problems and inadequacies of the educational system. One of the main factors affecting learning is the learning style that varies in different people. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between learning styles and the characteristics of nursing and midwifery students in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences using the VARK model. This was a correlational-descriptive study. The VARK Standard Questionnaire was used for data collection. Samples were consisted of 242 nursing and midwifery students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences chosen using the census method. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The level of significance was set as 0.05. The mean and standard deviation of raw scores of kinesthetic, audible, reading-writing and visual styles were 5.1±2.63, 5.76±2.55, 6.15±2.67, and 4.36±2.34, respectively. The highest mean was belonged to the reading-writing style. There was a statistically significant relationship between gender and academic course (P≤0.05). There was the same relationship between the marital situation and reading-writing styles (P≤0.05). The academic course had statistically significant correlations with visual and reading-writing learning style (P≤0.05). Also, there were no statistically significant relationship between the total VARK and demographic variables (P≥0.05). It is suggested that lecturers to be aware of the variations of the learning style among students and select the style of teaching appropriate to the student's learning style in order to improve the efficacy of learnt process.