1. Chapter 7 Occupational Science: The Study of Occupation
Valerie A. Wright-St Clair,
Clare Hocking

2. Learning Objectives After reading this chapter, you will be able to:
Apply an occupational science evidence-based practice way of thinking about day-to-day practice;
Interpret the difference between basic and applied occupational science knowledge underpinning practice;
Analyze the observable and phenomenological aspects of occupations;

3. Learning Objectives (cont.)
Begin to synthesize occupational science knowledge from diverse studies in order to consider how occupational therapy practice might serve individuals, communities and society well; and
Evaluate how well your own practice is guided by the existing and emergent basic and applied occupational science knowledge.

4. Occupational science
Occupational science -- explores the complexities of human engagement in occupations
As a basic science it is aimed at building knowledge about the:
form, function and meaning, of what people do;
occupational nature of being human; including the
observable and phenomenological aspects of occupation

5. The Observable Aspects of Occupation
This view assumes that observable truths exist with regards to the occupational nature of humans; that is:
we know truths by gathering data through our senses;
they can be seen, touched, heard or measured;
quantitative research methodologies are employed

6. The Phenomenological Aspects of Occupation
This view assumes many truths (or multiple realities) about the occupational nature of humans; that is:
people experience their own subjective, contextual realities of occupations;
qualitative research methodologies are used to study the phenomenological aspects of occupation

7. The Substrates of Occupation
Substrates are the human capacities required to engage in activities that have form, function and meaning.
form;
function; and
meaning

8. Substrates of Occupation (Continued)
Form of an occupation is its observable features;
e.g. sequence of actions in doing an occupation
Function of an occupation is what it achieves;
e.g. volunteering for a local service may achieve integration into the community
Meaning is the significance of an occupation and what is expressed through doing;
e.g. personal, societal, cultural and historical expressions

9. Peoples’ Experiences of Occupation
Research provides understanding of occupation through ideas
Ideas can be accessed by asking individuals about their lived experiences
Ideas can be interpreted from:
peoples’ stories about engaging in occupations; and
observations of people doing occupations

10. The Occupational Nature of Being Human
People’s engagement in occupation is active, purposeful, temporal and meaningful

11. Occupational Science as an Applied Science
provides a knowledge base informing what to do given occupational disruption;
has the capacity to be a comprehensive translational science;
Is designed to systematize knowledge about occupation
especially in relation to health and well-being

12. Systematizing Occupational Science Knowledge
Is a set of ‘rules’ for research
Is optimizing knowledge
Is a translational process
Relys on ‘best’ evidence

13. Systematizing Occupational Science Knowledge
Is a methodical, rigorous way of developing a disciplined, coherent set of ‘rules’ or methods for application of research knowledge in practice

14. Systematizing Occupational Science Knowledge
Is about identifying, developing, analysing, and optimizing knowledge for use

15. Systematizing Occupational Science Knowledge
Is a translational process; transforming scientific understandings to practice knowledge, aimed at resolving real-world concerns

16. Systematizing Occupational Science Knowledge
Fits with the call for occupational therapists to use ‘best’ evidence to guide everyday practice

17. Blueprint for a Translational Science Research Program
This 7-step research process was developed by colleagues at the University of Southern California:
Step 1: Identify the Practice Problem
Step 2: Identify the Intervention Needs
Step 3: Develop the Intervention
Step 4: Test the Intervention
Step 5: Evaluate the Cost-Effectiveness
Step 6: Study Why the Outcomes Were Produced
Step 7: Develop the Theory

18. Conclusion
Occupational science should take centre stage informing occupational therapy practice
Knowledge about people’s occupations, capacities and drive have always informed occupational therapy
The future of evidence-based occupational therapy lies in occupational science’s emergent capacity as an applied science