A scoping review on occupational science research in European contexts.

BACKGROUND: A survey showed European occupational scientists cover a broad range in occupational science (OS) research, however, no contemporary overviews of European OS research exists, and current research may provide valuable information for OS and occupational therapy. AIM: The aim was to provide an overview of contemporary European OS research. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A scoping review was performed, including studies conducted in Europe and published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy (BJOT), the Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy (SJOT) or the Journal of Occupational Science (JOS) between 2015 and 2020. The journals were systematically searched, and quality assessment and thematic analysis were undertaken. RESULTS: Findings from 93 articles identified many studies from the Nordic countries. Most studies applied qualitative research methods. Theoretical concepts from OS were used in data generating and discussions. A wide range of demographics, and living conditions were explored. Recent articles took a reflexive stance on the positionality of the researcher/s. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the diversity of OS research, suggesting a solid theoretical knowledge base within European OS research. SIGNIFICANCE: The results contribute to further development and maturation of the discipline of OS in Europe and internationally.

Using circular questions as a tool in qualitative research.

BACKGROUND: Circular questions are used within systematic family therapy as a tool to generate multiple explanations and stories from a family situation and as a means to stimulate the curiosity of the therapist while avoiding their temptation to seek a one definitive explanation. AIM: To consider the potential for using this approach in qualitative research, with researchers using carefully crafted questions to invite respondents to provide information about the meanings behind a phenomenon or consider how relationships between people contribute to it. DISCUSSION: Drawing on examples from a study into children's mental health services, this paper discusses the application of the technique of circular questioning from systemic family therapy to qualitative research. CONCLUSION: The use of circular questions is a technique that qualitative researchers could employ in the field when conducting interviews with individuals or groups, or when engaged in participant observation as a means to obtain rich sources of data. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Circular questioning can help to promote curiosity in the researcher and invite responses that illuminate relational issues between participants in a study.