Example occupational therapy dissertation topic 1:

A study of the voluntary and working experiences undertaken by undergraduates of occupational therapy prior to their enrolment.

A reflective piece of work, this study will involve working with peers as well as those in the first and second year of the occupational therapy course at the university. In analysing the amount of relevant work experience and volunteering undertaken by those presently studying occupational therapy, this dissertation will be able to identify a number of indicators relating to: amount of time, nature of experiences undertaken, expectations of those placements, how prior practice relates to the theory undertaken through study. Accordingly, this is a piece of work that would be ideally suited to someone studying occupational therapy who wishes to pursue an academic career in the field that will involve recruiting and interviewing prospective students of the future.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Christie, B. A., Joyce, P. C. and Moeller, P. L. (1985). Fieldwork experience, Part I: Impact on practice preference. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 39(10), pp. 671-674.
• Tryssenaar, J. (1999). The lived experience of becoming an occupational therapist. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(3), pp. 107-112.
• Wittman, P. P., Swinehart, S., Cahill, R. and Michel, G. S. (1989). Variables affecting specialty choice in occupational therapy. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 43(9), pp. 602-606.