Associate Professor Merrill Turpin
Associate Professor

Merrill Turpin

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+61 7 336 56491

Background

Dr Turpin’s research centres on the clinical/professional reasoning of occupational therapists across the spectrum of experience from new graduates to experts, as well as the subjective experiences of people with disabilities. She specialises in the use of qualitative research methods and uses a variety of qualitative research methods in her own research, as well advising others on these research methods. Dr Turpin has written books and book chapters on occupational therapy models of practice, evidence-based practice, and clinical reasoning, as well as publications on various aspects of people's experience. Dr Turpin has been a teaching and research academic at The University of Queensland for more than 30 years. The connection between theory and practice is central to her research and teaching. As occupational therapists attend to both thinking and experience, they need to use rigorous thinking and a deep understanding of human experience in their practice.

Availability

Associate Professor Merrill Turpin is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Clinical sciences Health Sciences

Research interests

  • Qualitative Research Methodology

    My main interest is in selecting the best qualitative methodologies for addressing the research questions that have been posed. Different methodologies attend to and prioritise certain aspects of phenomena and ways of understanding them. Consequently, choosing appropriate qualitative research methodologies from the plethora of those available is essential for guiding the research in a fruitful direction, but can be difficult. Often researchers become wedded to certain methodologies because they are familiar with them. Having a deep understanding of the ontological and epistemological assumptions underlying a range of qualitative research methodologies, as well as their unique goals and focus, provides the basis for well-reasoned decisions about research methodology.

  • Disability - experience and participation

    Occupational therapists are concerned with understanding people's experiences of everyday life and promoting their participation in society by identifying and overcoming barriers and building on existing strengths. My research attends to both understanding experience and promoting participation of people with a range of disabilities. Examples include understanding the everyday lives of people experiencing Multiple Sclerosis fatigue and the experiences of and barriers encountered by travellers with vision or mobility impairments.

  • Occupational Therapy clinical and professional reasoning

    Occupational therapists need to make well-reasoned decisions about the actions they take in practice. My research into the clinical and professional reasoning of occupational therapists has spanned three decades. I have written books, book chapters and journal articles on the occupational therapy practice models that guide occupational therapists in their practice; the process they use when combining disparate information, including research evidence and knowledge of their clients' experiences and circumstances; how they learn to reason as new graduates; and how students learn and can be supported to learn clinical and professional reasoning during their professional practice placements. I also have a sustained commitment to the continued development of the Student Practice Evaluation Form (SPEF, 1997; SPEF-R, 2008, SPEF-R2, 2019), a student professional practice evaluation tool that has consistently been used throughout Australia and in some countries overseas.

Research impacts

Dr Turpin works closely with Queensland Heath regarding supporting the clinical reasoning of occupational therapists with a range of experience. She also works with a range of organisations to use personal and occupational therapy understandings to improve the lives of people with Disabilities.

Search Professor Merrill Turpin’s works on UQ eSpace

117 works between 1997 and 2025
All (117) Journal Article (75) Book Chapter (15) Conference Publication (24) Book (2) Other Outputs (1)

1 - 20 of 117 works

Featured

2021

Journal Article

Experiences of and support for the transition to practice of newly graduated occupational therapists undertaking a hospital graduate program

Turpin, Merrill, Fitzgerald, Cate, Copley, Jodie, Laracy, Sue and Lewis, Beverly (2021). Experiences of and support for the transition to practice of newly graduated occupational therapists undertaking a hospital graduate program. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 68 (1) 1440-1630.12693, 12-20. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12693

Experiences of and support for the transition to practice of newly graduated occupational therapists undertaking a hospital graduate program

2025

Book Chapter

Learning professional reasoning in practice through fieldwork

Turpin, Merrill J. and Hanson, Debra J. (2025). Learning professional reasoning in practice through fieldwork. Clinical and professional reasoning in occupational therapy. (pp. 583-608) edited by Barbara A. Boyt Schell and John W. Schell. Philadelphia, PA USA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Learning professional reasoning in practice through fieldwork

2025

Book Chapter

Interactive reasoning

Turpin, Merrill J. and Copley, Jodie A. (2025). Interactive reasoning. Clinical and professional reasoning in occupational therapy. (pp. 239-252) edited by Barbara A. Boyt Schell and John W. Schell. Philadelphia, PA United States: Wolters Kluwer.

Interactive reasoning

2024

Journal Article

Developing self-management in type 1 diabetes at secondary schools: Who is responsible? A qualitative study

Gardener, Lisa, Bourke-Taylor, Helen, Desha, Laura, Gardener, Madeline and Turpin, Merrill (2024). Developing self-management in type 1 diabetes at secondary schools: Who is responsible? A qualitative study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78 (5) 7805205110. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2024.050662

Developing self-management in type 1 diabetes at secondary schools: Who is responsible? A qualitative study

2024

Book Chapter

Afflexivity in post-qualitative inquiry: prioritising affect and reflexivity in the evaluation of a health information website

Setchell, Jenny, Olson, Rebecca, Turpin, Merrill, Costa, Nathalia, Barlott, Tim, O'Halloran, Kate, Wigginton, Britta and Hodges, Paul (2024). Afflexivity in post-qualitative inquiry: prioritising affect and reflexivity in the evaluation of a health information website. Progressing Critical Posthuman Perspectives in Health Sociology. (pp. 105-120) edited by Kim McLeod and Simone Fullagar. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003498896-8

Afflexivity in post-qualitative inquiry: prioritising affect and reflexivity in the evaluation of a health information website

2024

Book

Using occupational therapy models in practice: a fieldguide

Turpin, Merrill, Garcia, Jenniffer and Iwama, Michael K. (2024). Using occupational therapy models in practice: a fieldguide. 2nd ed. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier.

Using occupational therapy models in practice: a fieldguide

2023

Journal Article

Efficacy of Early Enhanced Occupational Therapy in an Intensive Care Unit (EFFORT–ICU): A single-site feasibility trial

Rapolthy-Beck, Andrea, Fleming, Jennifer, Turpin, Merrill, Sosnowski, Kellie, Dullaway, Simone and White, Hayden (2023). Efficacy of Early Enhanced Occupational Therapy in an Intensive Care Unit (EFFORT–ICU): A single-site feasibility trial. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77 (6) 7706205110, 1-13. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2023.050230

Efficacy of Early Enhanced Occupational Therapy in an Intensive Care Unit (EFFORT–ICU): A single-site feasibility trial

2023

Conference Publication

Novel guidelines to support clinical decision-making for post stroke fatigue management

Walsh, Anthony, Turpin, Merrill, Anandalingam, Suvendra and Gullo, Hannah (2023). Novel guidelines to support clinical decision-making for post stroke fatigue management. 14th World Congress on Brain Injury, Dublin, Ireland, 29 March-1 April 2023. Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2023.2247822

Novel guidelines to support clinical decision-making for post stroke fatigue management

2023

Conference Publication

A pilot study to explore resilience among international students: What keeps them going?

McAuliffe, Tomomi, Turpin, Merrill and Schneck, Megan (2023). A pilot study to explore resilience among international students: What keeps them going?. Occupational Therapy Australia 30th National Conference and Exhibition, Cairns, QLD Australia, 21-23 June 2023.

A pilot study to explore resilience among international students: What keeps them going?

2023

Journal Article

A qualitative study of Singaporean perspectives on returning to work after stroke

Mohamad, Nizar Bin Zainal, Koh, Nicklaus Zhi Ming, Yeo, Joanna Peck Tiang, Ng, Min Geng, Turpin, Merrill and Asano, Miho (2023). A qualitative study of Singaporean perspectives on returning to work after stroke. Work, 75 (2), 541-552. doi: 10.3233/wor-211170

A qualitative study of Singaporean perspectives on returning to work after stroke

2023

Journal Article

Building Expertise in the Workplace: Occupational Therapists Learning Upper Limb Hypertonicity Practice

Copley, Jodie, Turpin, Merrill, Justins, Emma, Colclough, Sarah and Hill, Jessica (2023). Building Expertise in the Workplace: Occupational Therapists Learning Upper Limb Hypertonicity Practice. Australian Journal of Clinical Education, 12 (1). doi: 10.53300/001c.75473

Building Expertise in the Workplace: Occupational Therapists Learning Upper Limb Hypertonicity Practice

2023

Journal Article

The experiences of new graduates learning to make intervention decisions in diverse paediatric workplace settings: a cross-case analysis

Moir, Elizabeth, Copley, Jodie and Turpin, Merrill (2023). The experiences of new graduates learning to make intervention decisions in diverse paediatric workplace settings: a cross-case analysis. Focus on Health Professional Education: A Multi-Professional Journal, 24 (1), 1-23. doi: 10.11157/fohpe.v24i1.636

The experiences of new graduates learning to make intervention decisions in diverse paediatric workplace settings: a cross-case analysis

2022

Journal Article

New graduates learning to make intervention decisions in acute paediatric hospital settings: support and influences

Moir, Elizabeth, Copley, Jodie A. and Turpin, Merrill J. (2022). New graduates learning to make intervention decisions in acute paediatric hospital settings: support and influences. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 85 (12), 965-973. doi: 10.1177/03080226221103153

New graduates learning to make intervention decisions in acute paediatric hospital settings: support and influences

2022

Journal Article

New graduates’ experiences in paediatric private practice: learning to make intervention decisions

Moir, Elizabeth M A, Turpin, Merrill J and Copley, Jodie A (2022). New graduates’ experiences in paediatric private practice: learning to make intervention decisions. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 89 (4), 395-405. doi: 10.1177/00084174221102716

New graduates’ experiences in paediatric private practice: learning to make intervention decisions

2022

Journal Article

Development of the Student Practice Evaluation Form – Revised (Second Edition) (SPEF‐R2): the second action research cycle

Caine, Anne‐Maree, Herd, Chris, Copley, Jodie, Turpin, Merrill and Fleming, Jennifer (2022). Development of the Student Practice Evaluation Form – Revised (Second Edition) (SPEF‐R2): the second action research cycle. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 69 (4), 391-402. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12797

Development of the Student Practice Evaluation Form – Revised (Second Edition) (SPEF‐R2): the second action research cycle

2022

Journal Article

The nature of theory used in practice education: a scoping review

Moores, Alis V., Dancza, Karina M., Turpin, Merrill J. and Copley, Jodie A. (2022). The nature of theory used in practice education: a scoping review. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 89 (3), 000841742210934-282. doi: 10.1177/00084174221093466

The nature of theory used in practice education: a scoping review

2022

Journal Article

Occupational multi-level responsiveness: describing the skills used by occupational therapists working with children seeking asylum in Australia

Crawford, Emma, Barlott, Tim, Begg, Hannah, Mitchelson, Kelly, Teo, Amos and Turpin, Merrill (2022). Occupational multi-level responsiveness: describing the skills used by occupational therapists working with children seeking asylum in Australia. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 30 (3), 1-17. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2022.2072384

Occupational multi-level responsiveness: describing the skills used by occupational therapists working with children seeking asylum in Australia

2022

Journal Article

Occupational therapy service provision in adult intensive care units in Australia: A survey of workload practices, interventions and barriers

Rapolthy‐Beck, Andrea, Fleming, Jennifer and Turpin, Merrill (2022). Occupational therapy service provision in adult intensive care units in Australia: A survey of workload practices, interventions and barriers. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 69 (3), 316-330. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12794

Occupational therapy service provision in adult intensive care units in Australia: A survey of workload practices, interventions and barriers

2022

Journal Article

A trial of the AASPIRE healthcare toolkit with Australian adults on the autism spectrum

Kang, Lisa R. J., Barlott, Tim, Turpin, Merrill and Urbanowicz, Anna (2022). A trial of the AASPIRE healthcare toolkit with Australian adults on the autism spectrum. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 28 (4), 350-356. doi: 10.1071/py21134

A trial of the AASPIRE healthcare toolkit with Australian adults on the autism spectrum

2021

Journal Article

A comparison of standard occupational therapy versus early enhanced occupation-based therapy in a medical/surgical intensive care unit: study protocol for a single site feasibility trial (EFFORT-ICU)

Rapolthy-Beck, Andrea, Fleming, Jennifer, Turpin, Merrill, Sosnowski, Kellie, Dullaway, Simone and White, Hayden (2021). A comparison of standard occupational therapy versus early enhanced occupation-based therapy in a medical/surgical intensive care unit: study protocol for a single site feasibility trial (EFFORT-ICU). Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 7 (1) 51, 51. doi: 10.1186/s40814-021-00795-2

A comparison of standard occupational therapy versus early enhanced occupation-based therapy in a medical/surgical intensive care unit: study protocol for a single site feasibility trial (EFFORT-ICU)

Past funding

  • 2024
    Empowering Accessible Travel: An Evaluation of the `Access Accelerator¿ Program
    Spinal Life Australia
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Translating low back pain research: Identifying potential hidden harms in health messaging
    Arthritis Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    eSPEF-R Occupational Therapy Project
    Commonwealth Health Workforce Australia (HWA)
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Developing a clinical reasoning algorithm to guide MS fatigue rehabilitation interventions
    University of Illinois
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Development of tools for enhancing clinical reasoning of occupational therapy students and practitioners
    Occupational Therapists Board of Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Assisting allied health professionals to implement evidence: An OTSeeker initiative, 2008-2011
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Teaching clinical reasoning to Occupational Therpay students during Paediatric Clinical Fieldwork
    Occupational Therapists Board of Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Development of a Flexible Training Package for Clinical Educators Using the Student Placement Evaluation Form (SPEF)
    UQ Teaching & Learning Strategic Grants
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    An exlporation of self awareness of deficits by people with an Acquired Brain Injury
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Merrill Turpin is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Adolescent Perspectives of Sharing Responsibility for the Management of Type 1 Diabetes in Secondary School

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Impact of Community Training on Inclusion of People with Disabilities within the Community.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lynda Shevellar

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Co-creating inclusive walking and running activities alongside young people with disabilities and their families: Participatory Action Research in a regional Australian community.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Georgina Clutterbuck

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding theory integration in occupational therapy student placements: An educator-focused exploration

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jodie Copley

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Becoming an effective healthcare practitioner in the NDIS context

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Leander Mitchell, Professor Jodie Copley

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Occupational Therapy Practice in Intensive Care Units

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jennifer Fleming

  • Master Philosophy

    Co-designing allied health clinical pathways with frail vascular patients

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kristiana Ludlow, Associate Professor Jacki Liddle

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding theory integration in occupational therapy student placements: An educator-focused exploration

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jodie Copley

  • Master Philosophy

    Co-designing allied health clinical pathways with frail vascular patients

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kristiana Ludlow, Associate Professor Jacki Liddle

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploration of the use of mental health services among international students in Australia

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tomomi McAuliffe

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Role of Occupational Therapy and Early Cognitive Therapy in Patients in Intensive Care Units

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jennifer Fleming

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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