COMPETENCE IN SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY AND RESEARCH

The survival and expansion of the profession of occupational therapy d epend on its ability to respond to continually changing environments. One of the most current and critical factors in this adaptation is the capacity of therapists to achieve competence in scientific inquiry an d research. Competence in the role of researcher is necessary because it contributes to the development of the individual therapist, the pro fession, and the organization within which the therapist functions. Th e aim of this article is to review and elaborate on the competencies a ssociated with the role of researcher and to propose a reconceptualiza tion of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that shape competence in scientific inquiry.