Investigating research capacity: a survey of occupational therapists undertaking research degrees

A priority for the College of Occupational Therapists' Research and Development Group is to identify and strengthen occupational therapy research capacity. Attainment of, or work towards, an MPhil/PhD is one indicator of a developing research capacity. A postal survey undertaken between April and June 2006 sought to discover the size and nature of the population of occupational therapists obtaining a research degree with in the United Kingdom. The survey found that 194 occupational therapists had completed or were registered for a research degree. Of those registered, 90% (78/87) were undertaking their studies on a part-time basis and 79% (69/87) were receiving funding