Research

Research (noun) 1: careful or diligent search  2: studious inquiry or examination ; especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws  3: the collecting of information about a particular subject
(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/research)

Rather: What is Evidence Based Practice?
Sackett and colleagues1 … have defined evidence-based practice as "conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients.  The practice of evidence-based [health care] means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research" (p. 2).
(1. Sackett, D. L., Richardson, W. S., Rosenberg, W. M., & Haynes, B. R. (1997). Evidence-based medicine: How to practice and teach EBM.New York: Churchill Livingstone.)

GOTA would like to promote research activity and facilitate involvement in research amongst its members.  GOTA’s Clinical Research Partnerships strategic goals for 2008 are:

• GOTA will provide a resource list of OT professionals to participate in research projects to be posted on GOTA website.
• GOTA will provide a resource list of current research projects/activities to be posted on GOTA website.

In order to meet these goals and develop Clinical Research Partnerships among the GOTA membership, we currently seek your feedback on your needs and ideas.  First, we invite you to attend GOTA’s Annual Conference and Professional Meeting to learn more.

Second, if you are a member of AOTA (www.aota.org) remember that you have access to a wealth of information there that focuses on evidence-based practice research.  Papers such as:  Research Priorities and the Parameters of Practice for Occupational Therapy wherein The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) recently reaffirmed research priorities and parameters for practice for the profession.  (Established 1999; Reaffirmed 2003 Jointly By AOTF and AOTA http://www.aota.org/Pubs/OTP/1997-2007/Features/2004/f-022304.aspx).  Summary: 

• In the broad sense, the priorities are intended to facilitate quality research in occupational therapy that will be understood, recognized, and valued both inside and outside the profession.
• In the narrower sense, the priorities and exemplars represent the kinds of questions that occupational therapy practitioners face in their day-to-day practice.

There is also information at AOTA’s Evidence-Based Practice Resources: http://www.aota.org/Educate/Research/PracticeResources.aspx provides resources that informs OT practice.

Please visit this page often for more information about research and the activity of the Research Partnership Committee!