From the laboratory to pharmaceutical care research--Part I.

In pharmaceutical care research (PCR) a mass of robust general rules has not yet been found. Consequently, the challenge of PCR is that mainly through induction researchers have to study objects which are learning and which are open to environmental influences and, by doing so, researchers have to contribute to both theory and practice. Therefore the characteristics reductionism, repeatability and refutability originated from natural sciences cannot be applied to PCR on a 1:1 basis. PCR should be imitable, defensible, consistent and relevant in order to enable other researchers to agree or disagree with the conclusions and to stimulate new research.