The first ten years: A descriptive analysis of presentation abstracts of the SSO: USA, 2002 to 2011

This mixed methods study of the first ten years of presentations at the Society for the Study of Occupation: USA (SSO: USA) yields important information about the development of occupational science as a disciplinary body of knowledge. A descriptive, quantitative analysis of the abstracts of peer-reviewed presentations at the first ten annual meetings of the SSO:USA was separately and then collaboratively completed by a group of three researchers. This ten-year study used descriptive statistics with an ex-post facto design to portray research trends in occupational science over the first ten years of the Society. Implications of the study for the future of occupational science will be discussed, including gaps in occupational science research, methodological trends and needs, and possible influences on researchers' choices in regard to topics of future research.