Quantitative trends in occupational therapy research: implications for practice and education

Area of Science:

• Occupational Therapy
• Research Methodology
• Scientific Publishing

Background:

• The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT) is a key publication in the field.
• Assessing trends in research methodology is crucial for understanding scientific advancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the evolution of quantitative procedures in AJOT articles over a decade.
• To identify changes in statistical reporting and authorship characteristics.

Main Methods:

• A review and categorization of articles published in AJOT, volumes 27 (1973) and 37 (1983).
• Quantitative procedures were classified based on their complexity and statistical application.

Main Results:

• The percentage of articles with no statistical information decreased from 57% in 1973 to 31% in 1983.
• Articles utilizing advanced quantitative methods increased from 8% to 29% between 1973 and 1983.
• A trend towards multiple authorship and higher educational attainment among senior authors was observed.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapy literature demonstrates a significant shift towards more rigorous quantitative research methods.
• The findings suggest an increasing emphasis on statistical analysis and advanced methodologies in the field.
• The evolving authorship profile indicates a growing trend of higher academic qualifications among researchers.