Methodological Considerations in Studying Centenarians: Lessons Learned From the Georgia Centenarian Studies.

摘要: The goal of this chapter was to share methodological concerns and pitfalls in the study centenarians. In so doing, we outlined designs, hypotheses, problems, findings from three phases Georgia Centenarian Study. Each phase presented its own challenges. As noted list authors investigators chapter, biopsychosocial aspects oldest old requires a multidisciplinary team that must work an interdisciplinary manner resolve problems issues. learn across disciplines depend on each other for new solutions existing designs problems. might not be perfect, some were compromises. Lessons learned these experiences may used next generations centenarian research. Over last 20 years, have been confronted with issues (a) generalization convenience sample centenarians, (b) obtaining representative sample, (c) determination proper control groups research, (d) recruitment research population is well protected by their family community, (e) testing frail high mortality rate, (f) cell immortalization blood, (g) relating how much time many sessions are appropriate order fatigue participant, (h) ethical requesting brain donations, (i) methods transportation blood samples field laboratory, (j) quality data acquisition efficient sharing, more. We brought attention cross-sectional longitudinal research; has distinct advantages disadvantages. Neither could provide conclusions definitive, replicable, or enduring characteristics Perhaps if when opportunity exists, time-sequential design (Schaie, 1994) applied answer number needed questions influence time, cohort, measurement among old. This written researchers. May they our experience dilemma.