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)

61 - 80 of 117 works

2015

Journal Article

The lived experience of multiple sclerosis relapse: How adults with multiple sclerosis processed their relapse experience and evaluated their need for postrelapse care

Asano, Miho, Hawken, Karli, Turpin, Merrill, Eitzen, Abby and Finlayson, Marcia (2015). The lived experience of multiple sclerosis relapse: How adults with multiple sclerosis processed their relapse experience and evaluated their need for postrelapse care. Multiple Sclerosis International, 2015 351416, 1-9. doi: 10.1155/2015/351416

The lived experience of multiple sclerosis relapse: How adults with multiple sclerosis processed their relapse experience and evaluated their need for postrelapse care

2015

Journal Article

Experiences of academic staff in using threshold concepts within a reformed curriculum

Rodger, Sylvia, Turpin, Merrill and O’Brien, Mia (2015). Experiences of academic staff in using threshold concepts within a reformed curriculum. Studies in Higher Education, 40 (4), 545-560. doi: 10.1080/03075079.2013.830832

Experiences of academic staff in using threshold concepts within a reformed curriculum

2014

Journal Article

Occupational therapists’ perceptions of requirements for competent upper limb hypertonicity practice

Colclough, Sarah, Copley, Jodie, Turpin, Merril, Justins, Emma and De Monte, Rachel (2014). Occupational therapists’ perceptions of requirements for competent upper limb hypertonicity practice. Disability and Rehabilitation, 37 (16), 1-8. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2014.972585

Occupational therapists’ perceptions of requirements for competent upper limb hypertonicity practice

2014

Journal Article

Examining the inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised (SPEF-R) for occupational therapy students

Rodger, Sylvia, Coleman, Allison, Caine, Anne-Maree, Chien, Chi-Wen, Copley, Jodie, Turpin, Merrill and Brown, Ted (2014). Examining the inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised (SPEF-R) for occupational therapy students. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 61 (5), 353-363. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12151

Examining the inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised (SPEF-R) for occupational therapy students

2014

Journal Article

Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised edition online comment bank: development and reliability analysis

Rodger, Sylvia, Turpin, Merrill, Copley, Jodie, Coleman, Allison, Chien, Chi-Wen, Caine, Anne-Maree and Brown, Ted (2014). Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised edition online comment bank: development and reliability analysis. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 61 (4), 1-8. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12115

Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised edition online comment bank: development and reliability analysis

2013

Journal Article

Establishing the validity and reliability of the Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised (SPEF-R) in occupational therapy practice education: a Rasch analysis

Rodger, Sylvia, Chien, Chi-Wen, Turpin, Merrill, Copley, Jodie, Coleman, Allison, Brown, Ted and Caine, Anne-Maree (2013). Establishing the validity and reliability of the Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised (SPEF-R) in occupational therapy practice education: a Rasch analysis. Evaluation and the Health Professions, OnlineFirst (1), 1-16. doi: 10.1177/0163278713511456

Establishing the validity and reliability of the Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised (SPEF-R) in occupational therapy practice education: a Rasch analysis

2013

Conference Publication

Does diversity matter? Exploring the educational experience of culturally and linguistically diverse veterinary science students

King, Eva, Schull, Daniel, Green, Wendy and Turpin, Merrill (2013). Does diversity matter? Exploring the educational experience of culturally and linguistically diverse veterinary science students. ICCVM 2013: 7th International Conference on Communications in Veterinary Medicine, St Louis, MI, USA, 2-6 November, 2013.

Does diversity matter? Exploring the educational experience of culturally and linguistically diverse veterinary science students

2013

Conference Publication

Emergent Design Flexibility: Responding to data

Turpin, Merrill, Brough, Rachel, Desha, Laura and Ziviani, Jenny (2013). Emergent Design Flexibility: Responding to data. Advances in Qualitative Methods Conference, Edmonton, AB United States, 17 - 20 July 2013. Edmonton, Canada: University of Alberta * International Institute for Qualitative Methodology.

Emergent Design Flexibility: Responding to data

2013

Book Chapter

Clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice

Turpin, Merrill and Higgs, Joy (2013). Clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice. Evidence-Based Practice across the Health Professions. (pp. 300-317) edited by Tammy Hoffmann, Sally Bennet and Chris Del Mar. Sydney, NSW Australia: Elsevier.

Clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice

2012

Journal Article

Analysis of one stroke survivor's transition into vocational experiences

Gustafsson, Louise and Turpin, Merrill (2012). Analysis of one stroke survivor's transition into vocational experiences. Brain Impairment, 13 (1), 99-107. doi: 10.1017/BrImp.2012.8

Analysis of one stroke survivor's transition into vocational experiences

2012

Journal Article

Adjustment to loss of the driving role following traumatic brain injury: A qualitative exploration with key stakeholders

Liddle, Jacki, Fleming, Jennifer, McKenna, Kryss, Turpin, Merrill, Whitelaw, Penny and Allen, Shelley (2012). Adjustment to loss of the driving role following traumatic brain injury: A qualitative exploration with key stakeholders. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 59 (1), 79-88. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2011.00978.x

Adjustment to loss of the driving role following traumatic brain injury: A qualitative exploration with key stakeholders

2012

Conference Publication

Experiences of academic staff in using threshold concepts in occupational therapy curricula to engage students

Rodger, S., Turpin, M. and Springfield, E. (2012). Experiences of academic staff in using threshold concepts in occupational therapy curricula to engage students. Third Threshold Concepts Symposium, Dublin, Ireland, June 2012.

Experiences of academic staff in using threshold concepts in occupational therapy curricula to engage students

2012

Journal Article

Occupational therapy students' perceptions of occupational therapy

Turpin, Merrill June, Rodger, Sylvia and Hall, Anna R. (2012). Occupational therapy students' perceptions of occupational therapy. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 59 (5), 367-374. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2011.00988.x

Occupational therapy students' perceptions of occupational therapy

2011

Journal Article

Development and evaluation of an occupational therapy program for refugee high school students

Copley, Jodie, Turpin, Merrill, Gordon, Siobhan and McLaren, Chrisdell (2011). Development and evaluation of an occupational therapy program for refugee high school students. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58 (4), 310-316. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2011.00933.x

Development and evaluation of an occupational therapy program for refugee high school students

2011

Journal Article

Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory-9 (CAHAI-9): Perceived clinical utility within 14 days of stroke

Rowland, Tennille Jane, Turpin, Merrill, Gustafsson, Louise, Henderson, Robert David and Read, Stephen James (2011). Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory-9 (CAHAI-9): Perceived clinical utility within 14 days of stroke. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 18 (4), 382-393. doi: 10.1310/tsr1804-382

Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory-9 (CAHAI-9): Perceived clinical utility within 14 days of stroke

2011

Journal Article

Driving and driving cessation after traumatic brain injury: Processes and key times of need

Liddle, Jacki, Fleming, Jennifer, McKenna, Kryss, Turpin, Merrill, Whitelaw, Penny and Allen, Shelley (2011). Driving and driving cessation after traumatic brain injury: Processes and key times of need. Disability and Rehabilitation, 33 (25-26), 2574-2586. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2011.582922

Driving and driving cessation after traumatic brain injury: Processes and key times of need

2011

Journal Article

Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory-9 (CAHAI-9): a multi-centre investigation of clinical utility

Rowland, Tennille, Gustafsson, Louise, Turpin, Merrill, Henderson, Robert and Read, Stephen (2011). Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory-9 (CAHAI-9): a multi-centre investigation of clinical utility. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 18 (5), 290-297. doi: 10.12968/ijtr.2011.18.5.290

Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory-9 (CAHAI-9): a multi-centre investigation of clinical utility

2011

Journal Article

Development of the student practice evaluation form revised edition package

Turpin, Merrill, Fitzgerald, Cate and Rodger, Sylvia (2011). Development of the student practice evaluation form revised edition package. Australian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58 (2), 67-73. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2010.00890.x

Development of the student practice evaluation form revised edition package

2011

Conference Publication

Is there a lack of evidence to inform occupational therapy?

Bennett, Sally, McCluskey, Annie, Caldwell, Elizabeth, Allen, Michelle, Whitehead, Mary, Cox, Ruth, Hoffmann, Tammy and Turpin Merrill (2011). Is there a lack of evidence to inform occupational therapy?. Occupational Therapy Australia 24th National Conference, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 29 June-1 July 2011.

Is there a lack of evidence to inform occupational therapy?

2011

Book

Using occupational therapy models in practice: A fieldguide

Turpin, Merrill and Iwama, Michael K. (2011). Using occupational therapy models in practice: A fieldguide. Edinburgh, U.K.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

Using occupational therapy models in practice: A fieldguide

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

    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

  • 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

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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