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The scientific method in veterinary medicine is part of the innate process that the professional must perform in the diagnosis of an animal patient. This procedure can take a long time, and it is necessary to be careful with each of its steps. The wrong result of this procedure could be catastrophic, and put the patient’s health and life at risk. For this reason, those professionals who have more direct contact with these procedures specialize in the field, eliminating the possibility of human error.
The research
Research is an organized technique used to obtain an adequate solution to a problem. It involves a reflective thinking process in which tools, instruments and procedures are used. This process begins with the collection and analysis of data or facts that allow decisions to be made to reach a solution to a problem.
It is a quantitative work that implies dedication and perseverance. Research does not require a mastery of specialized vocabulary or extensive knowledge of experimental or statistical techniques, although it does require a critical attitude and the ability to think clearly and in an organized manner.
As mentioned above, research begins with the identification of a problem, although it can also be the generation of a good idea, to which the study will provide an answer. Normally, this problem is expressed as the working hypothesis or as a specific objective.
The researcher must justify the study to be carried out, and must be able to determine whether it is relevant and viable, for which he/she needs to know the topic and establish the appropriate theoretical framework. Therefore, in the first phase of the research, the appropriate type of study must be selected to answer the question and to establish a basic structure.
Then, the aspects related to the study population (selection and criteria, number, study groups), the variables (measurement and instruments), data collection and the analysis strategy should be specified. It should be borne in mind that the usefulness of a research study is evidenced by the practical application of its results. Therefore, adequate dissemination of the work is recommended, as well as its inclusion in international databases. This is so that it can be located and evaluated by other professionals.
Research classification
Research can be classified in different ways. This is determined by the method applied:
- Experimental. In which a variable is modified by means of a controlled experience and the changes produced are observed.
- Predictive or prognostic. Its purpose is to predict the future action of investigated factors (trends, correlations), so that the knowledge acquired can be used as a basis for further research.
- Descriptive. It is the discovery of facts followed by an adequate and correct interpretation of the data (it is not enough to simply obtain the data).
- Exploratory. It is carried out with the purpose of obtaining a better prior knowledge of some facts.
The research can also be classified from a practical point of view into:
- Basic or fundamental: its purpose is pure science and it is carried out to increase the body of scientific knowledge. Through its results, advances in science are produced.
- Applied: this is oriented research that does not seek to provide new scientific knowledge, but rather to facilitate the practical application of existing knowledge.
- Technological development: aims at achieving new methods, procedures, technologies and patents.
Necessary conditions for conducting research
In order to carry out research work, the conjunction of a series of elements is required, among which the following can be mentioned as necessary:
Personnel
Every research program requires adequately qualified personnel, in numbers and dedication in accordance with the study to be carried out. The researcher must have a series of qualities: thoroughness, reliability, patience and willingness, as well as encouragement during the development of the research, which is generally obtained from the relationship with other researchers and teamwork.
Infrastructure
This refers to the material and facilities required to carry out the planned research. Their amount, provision and characteristics are highly variable. They condition to a certain extent the type of research that can be carried out.
Sources of information
All research requires knowledge, study and criticism of the publications that have been published on the topic to be investigated. Currently, access to information is not an obstacle for hospital pharmacists to carry out research, as a result of the ease of connection to documentary data banks and to the bibliographic collections of hospitals, industry and universities.
Financial resources
The maintenance of quality lines of research requires sources of funding for the projects undertaken. Traditionally, the source of this funding in the biomedical area has been the hospitals themselves, the pharmaceutical industry, the state, private foundations and professional organizations.
This is unevenly distributed over time. Incorporation into supranational projects also facilitates access to community funds for programs of special interest.
Research environment
The place where the research is carried out must have not only the necessary structure, but also a work environment that allows the research professional to be sufficiently motivated, increasing his or her efficiency and productivity.
Research methodology
The mere observation of situations where unresolved difficulties appear is the origin or embryo of a problem to be investigated. Once the existence of this need is established, the reflective process begins with the identification of a specific problem, the study of which requires the following activities to be carried out beforehand:
- Analyze all existing information on the topic, either previously known or from previous research or that which is being carried out at the time the topic is selected.
- Identify possible contradictions with the experience.
This is the time to determine whether the problem is worthy of study and can be approached with the available resources. If so, the next step is to define the problem.
Specify it in detail and with precision, so that its implications are made clear and its limitations highlighted, often making it necessary to review previous studies to determine exactly what needs to be done. To do this, it will be necessary to individualize it, distinguishing it as far as possible from analogous issues that may be connected with it.
Optimal and professional processes
For the modern professional, the fact of following the scientific method to the letter will provide him with countless important tools for the development of his work. In addition to ensuring that each of the results and processes dictated by it are correct and reach the highest possible point of welfare in the animal patient.
TECH Technological University offers a broad portfolio of educational services to professionals in this area. These can be found within its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, where specializations such as the Master’s Degree in Equine Rehabilitation and the Master’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery in Exotic Animals can be found. However, for those professionals interested in entering the scientific field directly related to the area of animal welfare, there is no doubt that the best option is the Master’s Degree in Veterinary Clinical Trials.
