Scientometric analysis of occupational therapy Ph.D. theses

Introduction: Scientometry is the study of the quantitative aspects of the scientific and technological literature, helping in creating a broad vision of the research achievements in a scientific field. A Ph.D. thesis is an original research study about a scientific area carried out by a candidate and is considered an indicator of highly qualified staff. To our best knowledge, no scientometric analysis has been performed in occupational therapy in Spain. Objective: To characterize occupational therapy Ph.D. theses defended in Spain and its trend. Method: A scientometric, descriptive, retrospective study was conducted between 1976 and November 2019, using the information searching in the TESEO and SOCINTO databases, the DART-Europe Etheses Portal, and the Dialnet repository. Descriptive and regression analyses were carried out. Results: 77 Ph.D. theses met the inclusion criteria. The linear regression reflects a diachronic progression with r2=0.530 with a statistical significance (p<.001). Conclusion: The production of occupational therapy Ph.D. theses in Spain has been increased in the last two decades. This research has helped to characterize the current state of the occupational therapy Ph.D. theses defended in Spain, considering Ph.D. theses analysis as an important scientometric indicator and being the first study of this type worldwide.