The Use of Formal Research Issues Informal Finding Out

Abstract

This article is about a project carried out at the end of the third year of the Diploma in Occupational Therapy course at Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic. Limited by space, time and especially knowledge, the theorizing cannot be more than a superficial sketch. Most of the theory is based on sociology lectures and some ergonomics lectures received during the course. The issue involved was how the role of the occupational therapist varied in different local authorities and the article concludes that even in informal finding out the formal issues of research come to bear.