Master of Science in Clinical Pharmacy Students apply AI in Qualitative Research

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) offered its Master of Science (MSc) in Clinical Pharmacy students a four-hour Qualitative Research Workshop that introduced the strategic use of Large Language Models (LLMs) in advanced pharmaceutical research. The intensive session, held on November 23, 2025, was a key component of the students' Research Methodology course (PHM617), designed to equip them with skills essential for their thesis work and future careers.

The workshop was facilitated by Prof. Ravi Shankar, a renowned specialist from the IMU Centre for Education, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who serves as a Visiting Researcher at COPHS.

Prof. Shankar, alongside the course instructor Dr. Subish Palaian and Senior Instructor Dr. Alaa Farajallah, guided participants through foundational and advanced qualitative research concepts. The session provided practical strategies focused on enhancing methodological rigor and analytical depth across three core areas:

• Mastering Qualitative Interviews: Techniques for effective data collection.
• Performing Qualitative Analysis: Practical coding and thematic development.
• Interpreting Qualitative Data: Drawing meaningful and defensible conclusions.

A significant highlight of the day was the dedicated discussion on leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) (GeminiAI, ClaudeAI) in qualitative research. Participants explored how these technological tools can efficiently support various stages of research, including:

• Data Management and Transcription
• Initial Coding and Thematic Development

The focus remained firmly on how to integrate AI to enhance efficiency while strictly maintaining ethical standards and methodological integrity-a crucial skill for the modern pharmaceutical researcher.

Dr. Sanah Hasan, Program Coordinator of the MSc program commented: "This workshop provided our students with practical, hands-on AI tools that will undoubtedly enhance the quality of their thesis work. It's vital that we develop competent, reflective researchers who can ethically and effectively utilize cutting-edge technology to drive pharmaceutical innovation."

Prof. Abeer Alghananeem, Dean of COPHS, stated: “At COPHS, we are committed to preparing our students for a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Integrating AI-driven methodologies into research training ensures that our graduates are not only skilled researchers but also forward-thinking professionals ready to lead future advancements in pharmacy and health sciences.”