title: Research philosophy in pharmacy practice: necessity and relevance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pharmacy practice has gradually evolved with the paradigm shifted towards patient-focused practice or medicines optimisation. The advancement of pharmacy-related research has contributed to this progression, but the philosophy of research remained unexplored. This review was thus aimed to outline the succinct concept of research philosophy and its application in pharmacy practice research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Research philosophy has been introduced to offer an alternative way to think about problem-driven research that is normally conducted. To clarify the research philosophy, four research paradigms, i.e. positivism (or empiricism), postpositivism (or realism), interpretivism (or constructivism) and pragmatism, are investigated according to philosophical realms, i.e. ontology, epistemology, axiology and logic of inquiry. With the application of research philosophy, some examples of quantitative and qualitative research were elaborated along with the conventional research approach. Understanding research philosophy is crucial for pharmacy researchers and pharmacists, as it underpins the choice of methodology and data collection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The review provides the overview of research philosophy and its application in pharmacy practice research. Further discussion on this vital issue is warranted to help generate quality evidence for pharmacy practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Win
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Winit-Watjana
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000639:trends*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration; D000070838:Pharmacy Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010684:Philosophy; D012107:Research Design
keywords: clinical practice; community pharmacy; research method