Inquiry and Research Methods with Pharmaceutical Statistics

Inquiry and Research are two terms that share almost the same meaning.
Both concepts involve investigative work where a person seeks information about a subject by searching or examining the object of the search.
Inquiry specifically entails looking for information by asking various questions about a topic or object of curiosity.
Research is focused on discovering truths by investigating a chosen topic scientifically.
Scientifically, in this context, refers to a systematic process that begins from the simplest modes of thinking and progresses to the most complex patterns of thinking.

Learning is defined as the process of obtaining knowledge about one's surroundings.
Inquiry is considered an effective method of learning by many educators.
It is a learning process that motivates individuals to obtain knowledge or information regarding people, things, places, or events.
This method relies on investigating or asking questions about subjects that provoke inquisitiveness.
The process requires the collection of data, which includes facts and information about the object of inquiry.
Collected data must be examined carefully.
During analysis, varied thinking strategies are executed, ranging from lower-order thinking skills to higher-order thinking skills.
Specific thinking strategies involved include:
- Inferential thinking.
- Critical thinking.
- Integrative thinking.
- Creative thinking.

John Dewey’s Theory: Focuses on the theory of connected experiences for exploratory and reflective thinking.
Lev Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): Stresses the essential roles of provocation and scaffolding in the learning process.
Jerome Bruner’s Theory: Concentrates on the varied world perceptions of learners and how these perceptions lead to their own interpretative thinking regarding the people and things around them.
Inquiry as a way of learning is backed by these theories and involves several key elements:
- Changing knowledge.
- Creativity.
- Subjectivity.
- Socio-cultural factors.
- Sensory experience.
- Higher-order thinking strategies.
These elements are achievable through specific inquiry methods described by Small ( $2012$ ):
- Fieldwork.
- Case studies.
- Investigations.
- Individual group projects.
- Research work.

Research is the process of executing various mental acts to discover and examine facts and information.
The goal is to prove the accuracy or truthfulness of claims or conclusions related to a research topic.
According to Litchman ( $2013$ ), research requires engagement in top-level thinking strategies including:
- Interpreting.
- Analyzing.
- Synthesizing.
- Criticizing.
- Appreciating.
- Creating.
While research is analogous to inquiry because both involve investigation through questioning, research is more complex.
Research does not focus solely on raising questions but also on carrying out a specific order of research stages.
Each stage of the research process is not an individual task; the knowledge obtained comes from both the researcher and other people.
Research involves cooperative learning, similar to the process of inquiry.

Accuracy: Research must provide correct data. All documentation, including footnotes, notes, and bibliographical entries, must be honestly and appropriately acknowledged.
Objectiveness: Research must deal with facts. It should not rely on mere opinions that arise from assumptions, generalizations, predictions, or conclusions.
Timeliness: The topic of research must be fresh, new, and interesting to present-day society.
Relevance: The research topic should be instrumental in improving society or solving problems that affect community lives.
Clarity: The central point or discoveries must be expressed using simple, direct, concise, and correct language.
Systematic: Research must take place in an organized and orderly manner.

To learn how to work independently.
To learn how to work scientifically or systematically.
To obtain in-depth knowledge of a subject.
To elevate mental abilities by utilizing High-Order Thinking Strategies (HOTS) such as inferring, evaluating, synthesizing, appreciating, applying, and creating.
To improve reading and writing skills.
To become familiar with basic research tools and techniques for gathering data and presenting findings.
To achieve freedom from the domination of a single textbook or the lone viewpoint of a professor (spoon-feeding).

Qualitative Research:
- Requires non-numerical data.
- Uses words rather than numbers to express results and investigations.
- Explores people's thoughts, beliefs, feelings, views, and lifestyles.
- Uses verbal language to express findings because opinionated answers are not measurable.
Quantitative Research:
- Involves the measurement of data.
- Presents research findings in numerical forms, such as percentages, fractions, and specific numbers.

Pure Research:
- Deals with concepts, principles, or abstract things.
- Aims specifically to increase high-level knowledge about a subject.
Applied Research:
- Focuses on applying chosen research to societal problems or issues.
- Aims to find ways to make positive changes in society.

Descriptive Research:
- Aims to define or provide a verbal portrayal/picture of a person, thing, event, group, or situation.
- It is liable to repeated research because it relates only to a certain period or limited number of years.
- Results of descriptive studies often lead to further studies on the topic.
- Can collect both qualitative and quantitative data.
Experimental Research:
- A scientific approach used to test a theory or hypothesis.
- Utilizes experimental groups and control variables.
- Establishes cause-effect relationships between variables.
- Data must be quantitative in nature.
Correlational Research:
- Shows the relationship or connectedness of two factors or variables affecting the research.
- Concerned only with indicating the existence of a relationship, not the causes or development of that relationship.
Action Research:
- Studies the ongoing practice of a school, community, organization, or institution.
- The purpose is to obtain results that lead to system improvements.

Instructions:
- Form groups of $5$ to $7$ members.
- Visit the library and select one pharmacy thesis.
- Examine the title, abstract, introduction, and methodology.
Required Analysis:
1. State the Title of the Study.
2. Identify the problem or issue the study addresses using $2-3$ sentences.
3. Explain why the problem is important to pharmacy practice, patient care, or public health in $2-3$ sentences.
4. State the main objective or purpose of the study.
5. Identify the type of research (Descriptive, Experimental, Correlational, or Action Research).
6. Determine if the study is Qualitative or Quantitative.
7. Identify specific evidence from the methodology (e.g., surveys, interviews, lab experiments, statistical analysis, or observation) to support the determination of the data type.