Designing and Conducting a Course of Thinking and Research Methodology in Pharmacy

Attention to professionalism in pharmacy on the one hand, and imposing the students to pass eight credits of dissertation, as well as lack of systematic principles of thinking and research in course syllabus from the other hand, emphasize on a need for including the course of thinking and research methodology in course syllabus of pharmacy. Through numerous structured interviews with academic members, graduated students and students of pharmacy, the needed outlines of the course were prepared and approved. Then, the course was taught in form of a one credit subject, and at the end of the course, student’s view points regarding this course was collected through a survey. Approved outlines such as personal professional skills, research principles and methods were taught in the first semester of 2008-2009. The survey showed that in addition to student's satisfaction, they emphasized on increasing the number of its credits. This study not only showed a need among pharmacy students for a systematic thinking and research principles but proved the applicability and appropriateness of this course as well.