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Research Article  |   September 2006
Searches and Content of the OTseeker Database: Informing Research Priorities
Sally Bennett; Kryss McKenna; Leigh Tooth; Tammy Hoffmann; Annie McCluskey; Jenny Strong
Author Affiliations
  • Sally Bennett, PhD, BOccThy (Hons), is Lecturer, Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Services, University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia; sally.bennett@uq.edu.au
  • Kryss McKenna, PhD, BOccThy (Hons), is Associate Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Services, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
  • Leigh Tooth, PhD, BOccThy (Hons), is Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
  • Tammy Hoffmann, PhD, BOccThy (Hons), is Lecturer, Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Services, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
  • Annie McCluskey, PhD, MA, DipCOT, is Lecturer, School of Exercise & Health Sciences, University of Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  • Jenny Strong, PhD, MOccThy, is Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Services, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
Article Information
Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder / Evidence-Based Practice / Mental Health / Neurologic Conditions / Pediatric Evaluation and Intervention / Physical Agent Modalities / Professional Resources
Research Article   |   September 2006
Searches and Content of the OTseeker Database: Informing Research Priorities
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2006, Vol. 60, 524-530. doi:10.5014/ajot.60.5.524
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2006, Vol. 60, 524-530. doi:10.5014/ajot.60.5.524
Abstract

BACKGROUND. A strategic and prioritized approach to occupational therapy research is needed, particularly given the limited research funding available. Comparing occupational therapists’ information needs with the research evidence available can potentially inform research debate within the profession. This study aimed to identify research topics most often sought by users of the OTseeker database and to compare these with the quantity of topics available in the database.

METHOD. A random sample of keyword search terms submitted to OTseeker (n = 4,500) was coded according to diagnostic and intervention categories, and compared with the amount of research contained in OTseeker in 2004.

RESULTS. Most frequently sought topics were relevant to the diagnostic categories of pediatric conditions (19%), neurology and neuromuscular disorders (17%), and mental health (17%). Most frequently sought intervention topics included modes of service delivery, sensory interventions, and physical modalities. Although many frequently sought topics had a correspondingly high volume of research in OTseeker, a few areas had very little content (e.g., fine motor skill acquisition, autistic spectrum disorder). This information is offered to inform discussions about research priorities and resource allocation for research within occupational therapy.