Extensive research indicates that adults learn best when they are motivated, self-directed and choose what and how they learn. This project focuses on continuing pharmacy education and seeks to answer the question: "How can pharmacists be motivated to participate in continuing pharmacy education programs because they want to, not because they have to?" The following questions form the basis for this research: *To what extent do specific intrinsic and extrinsic "motivators" affect pharmacists' perceptions for participation in self-directed learning activities? *To what extent are specific "obstacles" keeping pharmacists from participating in self-directed learning activities? *What "characteristics" are associated with pharmacists who have high intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation for self-directed learning? *To what extent do pharmacists prefer to engage in these educational "activities" for self-directed learning? This project used a descriptive research design (Frankel & Wallen, 2009) to survey pharmacists and draw conclusions on what would motivate them to participate in self-directed continuing pharmacy education, what obstacles to self-directed learning exist, and which activities pharmacists would be more likely to participate in if continuing pharmacy education credit was granted for their efforts. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]