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Overview of Longitudinal Research on Aging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Betty Havens
Betty Havens
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
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Abstract

A brief introduction to gerontological longitudinal research methods and analysis is provided. The gerontological research questions that demand longitudinal study are identified. The use of secondary data analysis is shown to be essential to these studies. These analyses present opportunities to maximize both longitudinal research strategies and research efficiencies. The importance of administrative and financial stability for maintaining data bases for longitudinal research is presented by using examples. A brief overview of major Canadian longitudinal studies of aging and selected studies in other countries is provided. Finally, many sources of both quantitative and qualitative data for longitudinal gerontological studies are identified.

Résumé

Cet article est une courte introduction sur les méthodes de recherche et l'analyse des données longitudinales en gérontologie. On y présente les questions de recherche gérontologique qui exigent une étude longitudinale et démontre que l'utilisation de l'analyse de données secondaires est sur le point de devenir essentielle pour ces études. Ces analyses fournissent la possibilité de maximiser tant les stratégies de recherche longitudinale que les possibilités de recherche. L'importance d'une stabilité administrative et financière en vue de maintenir les bases de données pour les recherches longitudinales est mise en lumière à l'aide d'exemples. L'article comprend également un compte rendu des principales études longitudinales canadiennes sur le vieillissement et de certaines études entreprises à l'étranger. Finalement, on cite bon nombre de sources de données quantitatives et qualitatives.

Keywords

Longitudinal ResearchSecondary Data AnalysesResearch MethodologyData SourcesThe Oldest-OldInstitutional Stability.Recherche longitudinaleanalyse de données secondairesméthodologie de la recherchesources de donnéesles vieux-vieuxstabilité des institutions.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 14 , Issue S1 , Été/Summer 1995 , pp. 119 - 134
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1995

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