Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Science

Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Science is to provide opportunities for advanced studies and research in occupational science to develop original knowledge and/or conceptualise new research initiatives in the field of occupational science.

Learners will be required to complete independent research on an identified topic within the field of occupational science focusing on the complexities, lacunae and/or contradictions in the knowledge base of occupational science. The final research and findings will be reported either in the form of a full dissertation, via submission of articles or a submission that is a mixture of the first two.

Upon completion of the qualification, the successful learners will be able to

• Contribute to the development of original knowledge and/or conceptualise new research initiatives in the field of Occupational Science.
• Conduct independent research into the complexities, lacunae and/or contradictions in the knowledge base of Occupational Science.
• Evaluate and synthesise specialised knowledge and information in the field of occupational science critically and autonomously.
• Clearly communicate findings of independent research in occupational science orally (through participation in scholarly debates).
• Produce a substantial, independent, and in-depth written work within the field of occupational science and disseminate and defend the research findings and methodology used.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of occupational science as a conceptual foundation, and in doing so demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of development and research within the field.

Rationale

Occupational Therapy, a relatively young profession, is undergoing rapid development, particularly in the study of human occupation, which falls within Occupational Science (OS). Countries, such as South Africa, in which the participation of people has been restricted by factors at human, community and societal level will benefit from research produced in OS to overcome barriers. OS research inevitably produces direct application value because of its focus on the interrelatedness of 'what people do' with their development, wellness, and ability to meet personal/family needs.

Occupational science is an established and rapidly growing international discipline that concerns itself with "the relationship between occupation and other phenomena such as health, quality of life, identity, social structures and policies" (Hocking, 2000:60). It is a "basic science devoted to the study of the human as an occupational being. As a basic science, it is free to pursue the widest and deepest questions concerning human beings as actors who adapt to the challenges of their environments via the use of skill and capacities organized or categorized as occupation" (Yerxa, 1993:5). Occupational scientists study people's activities, tasks, and roles across a broad spectrum of concerns such as "politics, spirituality, education, social structures, science and technology, the media, work, growth, development and creativity, and health from an occupational perspective" (Wilcock, 2001:416). They also investigate the influences of the environment and context on the occupational behaviour of people and populations by describing risk factors such as occupational deprivation, imbalance, and alienation (Wilcock 1998). Since occupational risk factors negatively influence the capacity of humans to realize their potential, attention is also given to the factors that promote occupational justice.

This field of academic investigation is concerned with the "economic, political and social forces that create equitable opportunity and the means to choose, organize and perform occupations that people find useful or meaningful in their environment" (Townsend, 1999). Occupational Science's focus is thus on alleviating factors that lead to occupational injustice and increasing participation opportunities. As a result, it fits not only within the goals of the Hope project that is underway at the institution but will prepare candidates for practice in South Africa and other countries where societal factors have contributed to participation barriers that restrict participation.

Occupational science provides a trans-professional lens hence broader access.

• Candidates in health and social sciences who are interested in the bi-directional relationship between doing/participation and health/wellness and development as this pertains to individuals and communities, for example, a sociologist studying the impact of hopefulness on the career decisions of adolescents.
• Candidates in engineering and the built environment who have an interest in contributing to the creation of inclusive environments that foster participation, for example, an engineer developing vehicle modifications to improve fitness to drive for older adults.
• Candidates who are interested in applying and further exploring current professional knowledge to categories of occupation; work, leisure, the play of learning, for example, a human resource consultant interested in improving the representation of persons with disability in the workplace.

The need for a qualification is also informed by three learners who approached staff within the division to supervise them towards a PhD that falls within the field of Occupational Science, but who do not have an undergraduate occupational therapy qualification. Since these three candidates did not meet the minimum requirement of an OT degree, two went on to register their PhDs within Global Health in the Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation but have maintained their supervision from our division. This has a negative impact on the PhD outputs from the division that will grow further.

The institution intends to become a leader in Africa within the field of Occupational Science. No other institution across the continent offers a doctoral degree in Occupational Science. However, the study of how people in Africa live their everyday lives is an important field of research that has the potential to influence policy and practice.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The National objective - to widen access possibilities for learners - will be used as a guiding principle in learner selection. The procedures for RPL within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences apply according to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences RPL and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) Guidelines.

RPL for access

• Access will be granted to candidates who demonstrate the capacity to complete the qualification successfully, even if this means providing academic/research support. Candidates who do not have clear research ideas will be guided in their selection of a research project.
• RPL for access will be considered for learners who do not adhere to the minimum admission requirements i.e., a learner that completed an equivalent of an Honours degree but not a master's degree and has been working in the relevant field for at least 5 years.
• Applicants applying for access via RPL will have to submit a portfolio of evidence to the Postgraduate Programme Committee of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (DHRS).
• The recommendation of this Committee will be referred to the Committee for Postgraduate Research (CPR), the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), and then the Senate of the University.

Applications for admission to postgraduate qualifications, the normal admission requirements may be waived based on prior learning, subject to the approval of the relevant faculty board. The approval must be recorded in the faculty board's communications to the Senate.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Occupational Therapy, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Medicine in Occupational Medicine, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Nursing Science in Occupational Primary Health Care, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Nursing Science in Occupational Health, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master's degree in a cognate field, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 10, 360 Credits

Research: Dissertation, 360 Credits.

1. Contribute to the development of original knowledge and/or conceptualise new research initiatives in the field of Occupational Science.
2. Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research into the complexities, lacunae and/or contradictions in the knowledge base of Occupational Science.
3. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and synthesise specialised knowledge and information in the field of occupational science critically and autonomously.
4. Demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate findings of independent research in occupational science orally through participation in scholarly debates.
5. Demonstrate the ability to produce substantial, independent, and in-depth written work within the field of occupational science and disseminate and defend the research findings and methodology.
6. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of occupational science as a conceptual foundation, and in doing so demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of development and research within the field.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria (AAC) are integrated across all the ELOs

• Apply expertise and critical knowledge in the field of Occupational Science.
• Use an extensive range of information, observations, etc. to develop the research question and research findings.
• Critically disseminate information and research findings.
• Clearly and succinctly state the research problem and provide a set of specific hypotheses, predictions, or questions which the research will address.
• Use theoretical frameworks clearly and consistently to analyse the findings, justify the conclusions and, where applicable, support recommendations.
• Clearly and distinctively analyse results to either support or reject the hypothesis.
• Utilise appropriate academic writing and referencing to formulate a clear, well-written thesis.
• Deliver a dissertation that includes an introduction chapter, followed by several chapters outlining the research, followed by a discussion chapter of the research results of the whole dissertation, highlighting the scientific contributions of the study, followed by a conclusion and future directions. Clear articulation of the research question, findings, and related aspects in the field of Occupational Science during an oral examination or other discussions or debates is a requirement.