[Methodology of geriatric research]. / Zur Methodologie der Altersforschung.

ABSTRACT

Starting from the basic equation of research on aging [behaviour = f (age)], various issues involved in defining the subject-matter of that research are discussed. Advantages and disadvantages of aging research methods (i.e. cross-sectional, longitudinal, and time-lag study, cohort analysis), evolved by extension of the basic equation, are put forth and are critically discussed in terms of the relevancy of the findings obtained.