Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2020

DOI

10.5688/ajpe7129

Publication Title

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

Volume

84

Issue

3

Pages

334-344

Abstract

Objective. To investigate pharmacy education researchers’ experiences in conducting qualitative research and their perceptions of qualitative research in pharmacy education

Methods. A phenomenological approach was used to conduct one-time, in-depth interviews with 19 participants from 12 schools and colleges of pharmacy. Interview transcripts were coded and themes were identified using a modified form of the Sort and Sift, Think and Shift method of data analysis.

Results. Faculty members were the largest subgroup in the sample, followed by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows/scholars, and residents. Pharmacy education researchers had varying levels of training in conducting qualitative research and some had none at all. Salient findings included that pharmacy educators’ lack of training and exposure to qualitative research was a barrier to entry to conducting qualitative research; the lack of understanding and value of qualitative research in pharmacy education impacts the acceptability of qualitative research projects in Journals and academic meetings; and qualitative research offers several benefits in answering complex research questions.

Conclusion. The application of rigorous qualitative research in pharmacy education holds great potential in addressing complex and evolving healthcare problems. This work provides empirical evidence of the ongoing anecdotal dialogue that has long existed in pharmacy education concerning why some researchers are hesitant to conduct qualitative research, the challenges encountered by those who employ qualitative approaches, and the benefits qualitative approaches provide.

Comments

© 2020 American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

Included with the kind written permission of the publisher.

ORCID

0000-0002-9534-7319 (Amechi)

Original Publication Citation

Bush, A. A., Amechi, M., & Persky, A. (2020). Qualitative research in pharmacy education: An exploration of pharmacy education researchers' perceptions and experiences conducting qualitative research. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(3), 334-344. doi:10.5688/ajpe7129

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