Occupational Therapists' Self-Assessment after Participation in a Course on Theory and Research

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an audiotape continuing education program on how theory relates to research. Thirty-nine occupational therapists who had been assigned to a control group or an audiotape group in a previous study served as subjects. Analysis of variance revealed that the audiotape group scored significantly higher than the control group on written tests completed immediately after the continuing education program and 6 to 9 months later. Chi-square analyses of the responses to a self-report questionnaire on research-related behavior revealed no significant difference between the two groups. Thus, although the continuing education program increased knowledge, participation in the program did not significantly increase involvement in research-related behaviors.