What is professional research?

In some fields, especially those linked to a profession (e.g. medicine, dentistry, law, architecture, pharmacy), a distinction is to be drawn between a first professional degree, an advanced professional degree, and a terminal academic degree. A first professional degree is generally required by law or custom to practice the profession without limitation. An advanced professional degree provides further training in a specialized area of the profession. A terminal academic degree is not a professional degree, rather, it is the research degree in the field. One or more degrees beyond the first professional degree may be helpful for advancement or (in the case of academic institutions) employment or tenure.