This topic will provide an overview of the importance of research in pharmacy, the different types of research methods used in pharmacy practice, and the significance of evidence-based practice.
Introduction to Pharmacy Research Methods
Designed for students, new researchers, and practicing pharmacists
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Improved Patient Care | Generates evidence for safer, more effective drug therapy. |
| Professional Advancement | Publishes findings, contributes to guidelines, supports career growth. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Provides data required for drug approval, labeling, and post‑marketing surveillance. |
| Innovation | Identifies gaps, inspires new formulations, delivery systems, or therapeutic strategies. |
| Category | Focus | Typical Study Designs |
|---|---|---|
| Basic/Pre‑clinical | Molecular mechanisms, drug discovery, formulation science. | In‑vitro assays, animal models, computational modelling. |
| Clinical | Human drug therapy, safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics/dynamics. | Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case‑control studies, crossover trials. |
| Pharmaco‑epidemiology | Drug use patterns, outcomes in real‑world populations. | Database analyses, registry studies, cross‑sectional surveys. |
| Pharmacoeconomics | Cost‑effectiveness, budget impact, health‑technology assessment. | Cost‑utility analysis, cost‑benefit analysis, decision‑analytic modelling. |
| Pharmacy Practice | Service delivery, medication counseling, adherence interventions. | Quasi‑experimental designs, quality‑improvement projects, mixed‑methods studies. |
Identify a Knowledge Gap
Formulate a Research Question
Select an Appropriate Study Design
Develop a Protocol
Obtain Ethical Approval
Data Collection
Data Management & Quality Control
Statistical Analysis
Interpretation of Results
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