Occupational Therapy

Check this page to see if the Library has tips to get you started on a specific class assignment, or for general resources on the topic of the class.

At this time, we have tabs for:

• MSOT 514 - Searching tips for a literature review.

• MSOT 525 & 533 - Researching and writing a systematic review

• OTD 714 - Searching tips for a literature review

• OTD 725 - Researching and writing a systematic review

• OTD 771 - Capstone literature review (Page under construction)

APA Style and Citation Format

The Occupational Therapy program requires all papers to follow the American Psychological Association 7th Edition Manual of Style.  For a summary of the rules for formatting your paper, citations and references, see the APA Help (7th Edition) Research Guide.  You should purchase your own copy of the APA Manual of Style (7th Edition) since it is not available online. More examples of citations can be found on the APA Style website using the search box (click the magnifying glass icon).

The WCU Library webinar series is offered each term; check the schedule and register to watch 45 minute lectures APA Overview, APA Part 1, and APA Part 2.

Do you need assistance with citing articles for your papers and research assignments?  RefWorks is an online reference tool that stores the citations and full text of your sources and automatically formats them into citations and bibliographies.

All WCU students and faculty have a subscription to RefWorks – Unlimited document storage – Unlimited sharing inside & outside the institution – Includes email tech support and training. 

1. Click on the link above, or find it on the Library's A-Z Database List. 
2. Click “Sign up” 
3. Fill in your WCU email address (or personal email address only if you are on campus)
4. Go to your email and click link in your email 

Learn how to use RefWorks by watching 8 tutorial videos (about 35 minutes total) on the RefWorks YouTube channel.

(Note that “New RefWorks” or “RefWorks 3” is different from the previous version, called "Legacy RefWorks", so don’t watch tutorial videos made before 2017.)

RefWorks can also be used within your word processor by downloading and installing free software or a software add-in. Instructions for choosing the right version for your word processor are in the Tools menu under your name when you are signed into RefWorks.

(Note for West Coast University students and faculty: if you use MS Word for Windows, Mac or online (versions after 2016), you will be instructed to download the RefWorks Citation Manager plug-in from "Get Add-Ins" under the Insert menu in MS Word. If you see a message, "Office Store not available", then click the words "ADMIN MANAGED" to the upper-left of the message to find the icon for RefWorks Citation Manager.)