Associate Professor Merrill Turpin
Associate Professor

Merrill Turpin

Email: 
Phone: 
+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)

41 - 60 of 117 works

2017

Conference Publication

Supporting new graduate occupational therapists

Turpin, Merrill, Fitzgerald, Cate and Laracy, Sue (2017). Supporting new graduate occupational therapists. unknown, unknown, unknown. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications.

Supporting new graduate occupational therapists

2017

Journal Article

Understanding and living with multiple sclerosis fatigue

Turpin, Merrill , Kerr, Georgina, Gullo, Hannah, Bennett, Sally, Asano, Miho and Finlayson, Marcia (2017). Understanding and living with multiple sclerosis fatigue. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 81 (2), 82-89. doi: 10.1177/0308022617728679

Understanding and living with multiple sclerosis fatigue

Featured

2017

Journal Article

Becoming minor: mapping new territories in occupational science

Barlott, Tim, Shevellar, Lynda and Turpin, Merrill (2017). Becoming minor: mapping new territories in occupational science. Journal of Occupational Science, 24 (4), 524-534. doi: 10.1080/14427591.2017.1378121

Becoming minor: mapping new territories in occupational science

2017

Journal Article

Intentional strengths interviewing in occupational justice research

Crawford, Emma and Turpin, Merrill June (2017). Intentional strengths interviewing in occupational justice research. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 25 (1), 52-60. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2017.1322635

Intentional strengths interviewing in occupational justice research

2017

Conference Publication

Children seeking asylum: A qualitative study of occupational therapists’ perspectives on challenges faced by children in Australian detention facilities

Mitchelson, Kelly, Begg, Hannah, Crawford, Emma, Barlott, Tim and Turpin, Merrill (2017). Children seeking asylum: A qualitative study of occupational therapists’ perspectives on challenges faced by children in Australian detention facilities. Occupational Therapy Australia, 27th National Conference and Exhibition, Perth, WA, Australia, 19-21 July 2017. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell . doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12400

Children seeking asylum: A qualitative study of occupational therapists’ perspectives on challenges faced by children in Australian detention facilities

2017

Book Chapter

Occupational therapy practice models and frames of reference

Turpin, Merrill (2017). Occupational therapy practice models and frames of reference. Occupational therapy in Australia: professional and practice issues. (pp. 185-201) edited by Ted Brow, Helen Bourke-Taylor, Stephen Isbel and Reinie Courtier. Sydney, Australia: Allen & Unwin.

Occupational therapy practice models and frames of reference

2017

Book Chapter

Decision‐making for occupation‐centred practice with children

Copley, Jodie, Bennett, Sally and Turpin, Merrill (2017). Decision‐making for occupation‐centred practice with children. Occupation-centred practice with children: a practical guide for occupational therapists. (pp. 349-372) edited by Sylvia Rodger and Anne Kennedy-Behr. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.

Decision‐making for occupation‐centred practice with children

2017

Book Chapter

Occupational therapy practice models

Turpin, Merrill (2017). Occupational therapy practice models. Occupational therapy for people experiencing illness, injury or impairment: promoting occupation and participation. (pp. 115-133) edited by Michael Curtin, Mary Egan and Jo Adams. Edinburgh, United Kingdom: Elsevier.

Occupational therapy practice models

2017

Conference Publication

Developing a Framework for Creating Workplace-Specific Clinical Reasoning Tools

Turpin, Merrill and Copley, Jodie (2017). Developing a Framework for Creating Workplace-Specific Clinical Reasoning Tools. Qualitative Health Research Conference, Kelowna Canada, October 2016. THOUSAND OAKS: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/1609406916688525

Developing a Framework for Creating Workplace-Specific Clinical Reasoning Tools

2016

Journal Article

The structural-personal interaction: occupational deprivation and asylum seekers in Australia

Crawford, Emma, Turpin, Merrill, Nayar, Shoba, Steel, Emily and Durand, Jean-Louis (2016). The structural-personal interaction: occupational deprivation and asylum seekers in Australia. Journal of Occupational Science, 23 (3), 321-338. doi: 10.1080/14427591.2016.1153510

The structural-personal interaction: occupational deprivation and asylum seekers in Australia

2016

Journal Article

Organisational support for evidence-based practice: Occupational therapists perceptions

Bennett, Sally, Allen, Shelley, Caldwell, Elizabeth, Whitehead, Mary, Turpin, Merrill, Fleming, Jennifer and Cox, Ruth (2016). Organisational support for evidence-based practice: Occupational therapists perceptions. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 63 (1), 9-18. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12260

Organisational support for evidence-based practice: Occupational therapists perceptions

2016

Conference Publication

Combining Perspectives: Unraveling and Integrating

Turpin, Merrill (2016). Combining Perspectives: Unraveling and Integrating. THOUSAND OAKS: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC.

Combining Perspectives: Unraveling and Integrating

2016

Conference Publication

Children seeking asylum: a qualitative study of occupational therapists' perspectives on challenges faced by children in Australian detention facilities

Mitchelson, K., Begg, H., Crawford, E., Barlott, T. and Turpin, M. (2016). Children seeking asylum: a qualitative study of occupational therapists' perspectives on challenges faced by children in Australian detention facilities. NT-QLD Division OT Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28 October 2016.

Children seeking asylum: a qualitative study of occupational therapists' perspectives on challenges faced by children in Australian detention facilities

2016

Journal Article

Continuing professional development in Chile: a case study

Garcia, Jenniffer, Copley, Jodie, Turpin, Merrill, Chien, Chi-Wen and Pena, Natalia (2016). Continuing professional development in Chile: a case study. World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin, 72 (2), 107-110. doi: 10.1080/14473828.2016.1207898

Continuing professional development in Chile: a case study

2015

Journal Article

A qualitative meta-synthesis about challenges experienced in occupational therapy practice

Murray, Carolyn, Turpin, Merrill, Edwards, Ian and Jones, Mark (2015). A qualitative meta-synthesis about challenges experienced in occupational therapy practice. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78 (9), 534-546. doi: 10.1177/0308022615586786

A qualitative meta-synthesis about challenges experienced in occupational therapy practice

2015

Journal Article

Combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods in understanding multiple sclerosis fatigue management

Turpin, Merrill J., Asano, Miho and Finlayson, Marcia (2015). Combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods in understanding multiple sclerosis fatigue management. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 14 (2), 53-68. doi: 10.1177/160940691501400206

Combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods in understanding multiple sclerosis fatigue management

2015

Journal Article

The meaning of leisure for children and young people with physical disabilities: a systematic evidence synthesis

Powrie, Benita, Kolehmainen, Niina, Turpin, Merrill, Ziviani, Jenny and Copley, Jodie (2015). The meaning of leisure for children and young people with physical disabilities: a systematic evidence synthesis. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 57 (11), 993-1010. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.12788

The meaning of leisure for children and young people with physical disabilities: a systematic evidence synthesis

2015

Journal Article

A scoping review of rehabilitation interventions that reduce fatigue among adults with multiple sclerosis

Asano, Miho, Berg, Elizabeth, Johnson, Katherine, Turpin, Merrill and Finlayson, Marcia L. (2015). A scoping review of rehabilitation interventions that reduce fatigue among adults with multiple sclerosis. Disability and Rehabilitation, 37 (9), 729-738. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2014.944996

A scoping review of rehabilitation interventions that reduce fatigue among adults with multiple sclerosis

2015

Conference Publication

Untangling occupations and social structures: asylum seekers in Australia

Campbell, Emma, Turpin, Merrill , Durand, Jean-Louis and Steel, Emily (2015). Untangling occupations and social structures: asylum seekers in Australia. Occupational Therapy Australia 26th National Conference and Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia, 1-3 July 2015. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12212_2

Untangling occupations and social structures: asylum seekers in Australia

2015

Conference Publication

Preparing students for health and social care practice through inter-professional learning

Turpin, Merrill, Lynch, Deborah, Spermon, Deborah and Steel, Emily (2015). Preparing students for health and social care practice through inter-professional learning. HERDSA Annual International Conference, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 6-9 July 2015. Milperra, NSW, Australia: Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA).

Preparing students for health and social care practice through inter-professional learning

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

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Lynda Shevellar

  • 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

    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

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tomomi McAuliffe

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Occupational Therapy Practice in Intensive Care Units

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jennifer Fleming

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Becoming an effective healthcare practitioner in the NDIS context

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Leander Mitchell, Professor Jodie Copley

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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