An introduction to selected elements of research

The purpose of this paper, the first in a two-part series, is to provide an introduction to selected elements of research for the practising pharmacist. It is not intended to provide the reader with all the tools necessary to plan, conduct and report a research study. One paper cannot achieve this since entire books have been devoted to single components of research. Through the examination and discussion of the structure of a research report as presented in this paper, the reader should derive a basic understanding of selected aspects of research. A subsequent paper will present an approach to evaluating reports of research studies. The background provided by both papers should make it possible for pharmacists to review more objectively the increasing number of journal articles reporting research studies. Readers should also gain an appreciation of the complexity of the research process and the time required to prepare a paper acceptable for publication. They will not be in a position to evaluate all the details in the research report.