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

121 works between 1997 and 2025
All (121) Book (2) Journal Article (76) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (26) Book Chapter (16)

121 - 121 of 121 works

1997

Journal Article

Focal Points and Relationships: A Study of Clinical Reasoning

Crabtree, Merrill and Lyons, Michael (1997). Focal Points and Relationships: A Study of Clinical Reasoning. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60 (2), 57-64. doi: 10.1177/030802269706000204

Focal Points and Relationships: A Study of Clinical Reasoning

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

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor 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

    Seeking Mental Health Support: Understanding South Asian International Students¿ Attitudes and Experiences in Australian Higher Education Context

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tomomi McAuliffe

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Becoming an effective healthcare practitioner in the NDIS context

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Leander Mitchell, 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

For media enquiries about Associate Professor Merrill Turpin's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au