This paper will provide a glimpse of the current state of knowledge in a specific subfield of gerontology. You will choose a research area in gerontology, locate 5 articles from peer-reviewed, academic journals that examine that area, and write a 5-page paper synthesizing the articles and summarizing the findings.
1. Select a topic.
o A research area described in the textbook (for example, the impact of retirement on marriage).
o A research area in gerontology not described in the textbook (you must explain how it is related to gerontology topics in the textbook).
2. Find 5 peer-reviewed articles that speak to your topic (contact the Liberty University Online Library staff if you are not sure how to find articles from peer-reviewed, academic journals).
o No web articles allowed (e.g., Wikipedia, about.com).
o No magazines, newspapers, or trade journals allowed.
o Not all sources in the ILRC’s journal database are peer-reviewed.
o Articles can include those referenced in the textbook.
o Articles must be research papers, not book critiques or editorials (if your article is 1–2 pages, it is probably not a research paper).
o Original articles only (do not cite a study that was referenced in an article you read—you must read it yourself and use it).
o Do not use books (including the textbook) or lecture material as a source.
