title: [Methodology of geriatric research].
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.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000639:trends*; D005860:Germany, West; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008136:Longevity; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D012106:Research; D012931:Social Environment
vernacular_title: Zur Methodologie der Altersforschung.