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Research Article  |   April 1988
Historical Research Methods in Occupational Therapy
Kathleen Barker Schwartz; Wendy Colman
Author Affiliations
  • Kathleen Barker Schwartz, EdD, OTR, is Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, San Jose State University, San Jose, California 95192-0059
  • Wendy Colman, PhD, OTR, is a consultant in research and curriculum design, Wyncote, Pennsylvania
Article Information
Departments / Looking Back
Research Article   |   April 1988
Historical Research Methods in Occupational Therapy
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, April 1988, Vol. 42, 239-244. doi:10.5014/ajot.42.4.239
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, April 1988, Vol. 42, 239-244. doi:10.5014/ajot.42.4.239
Abstract

This article discusses the process and methods of historical research in relation to occupational therapy. The paper reviews the process of writing history, including data gathering, organization, and interpretation as well as the responsibilities of the historical researcher. The authors propose that the methods of historical research can be used by occupational therapists as a means to develop a body of knowledge about the profession’s history.