Qualitative Research Focusing on the Psychology of Patients and Pharmacists: What I Learned from Discussions with Students During Graduation Research Guidance

Abstract

In the 2022 version of the Model Core Curriculum for Pharmacy Education, scientific inquiry is highlighted as a crucial professional competency for pharmacists. Graduation research offers pharmacy students an excellent opportunity to develop an inquisitive and scientific perspective. While various types of pharmacy-related research exist, qualitative research is essential for understanding human psychology and behavior. At the laboratory where I am affiliated, students undertake qualitative research focused on the psychological aspects of patients and pharmacists as their graduation research themes. Students conducting qualitative research encounter various challenges. For instance, they might (1) rephrase text data using inappropriate terms when coding or (2) select unsuitable terms due to a lack of contextual understanding of the text data. My goal during graduate research supervision is to provide tailored guidance based on students’ common analytical errors. Furthermore, to support students’ independent research efforts, I engage in thorough discussions with them regarding the appropriateness of the coded terms they use. Even if these interventions seem inefficient, the persistent repetition of conversations with students is believed to enhance their scientific inquiry skills.