Using AARP’s AgeLine Database “ Gateway to Aging Literature ” Michael D. Melinchok, PhD Senior Editor, AgeLine Database AARP Research Information Center

What is the AgeLine Database? AgeLine is a free, searchable online database. AgeLine provides summaries of aging-related journal articles, books, research reports, dissertations, videos, and consumer guides. Links to full text are provided when available. AgeLine covers social gerontology and aging-related research from: opsychology, sociology, social work opublic policy, economics ohealth sciences

What’s in AgeLine? AgeLine covers a broad range of topics: ohealth and health care owork, retirement, and financial issues ocaregiving and long-term care ofamily and community living omuch, much more AgeLine focuses on research and policy, but also includes practical content for service providers, health professionals, social workers, and older adults and their families.

What’s in AgeLine? AgeLine is produced by AARP’s Research Information Center (library) as part of AARP’s mission to be the leading provider of information on the 50+ population. AgeLine content comes from hundreds of publishers and organizations worldwide, including AARP. AgeLine can be used for term papers, literature reviews, research studies, presentations, and fact finding – or for practical information about life at 50+

Finding AgeLine AgeLine can be found on AARP’s web site or on many college and university web sites. Ageline is always free to users. Librarians: link to or subscribe through CSA, Dialog, EBSCOHost, Ovid, or SilverPlatter. Questions about AgeLine access? us at

Ageline home page on AARP.org A number of useful features are included on the AgeLine home page at o“AgeLine to Go”– 200+ topical searches oThesaurus of Aging Terminology – PDF o“AgeLine Toolbox” – articles, research tools oLinks to AARP’s Research & Policy web site and other AARP research databases oAgeLine e-newsletter sign-up (free)

AgeLine in the classroom One-stop research tool for papers and presentations “AgeLine To Go” feature ideal for introductory courses – recent references packaged by topic for easy browsing Annotated bibliographies quick and easy to create Suggested assignment: Search in AgeLine for a specific book or article, then find other sources on the same topic by searching on similar key words

Devising and refining an AgeLine search What is the Topic you wish to search? Come up with one or more Keywords. Review results of your search – is this what you want? Revise the search to make it broader or narrower. Mark records to sort, save, or send to others. Save your results on disk or hard copy.

Let’s take a tour of AgeLine The following slides provide a demonstration of the AgeLine database. Starting from the AgeLine home page, the demo will take you through the search menu, a basic search on retirement attitudes, and an advanced subject search of research on the retirement attitudes of Hispanics. The demo will conclude with a look at the “Research To Go” feature, highlighting recent research on Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Benefits of using AgeLine Did we mention that it is free? No log-ins, passwords Can’t “Google” everything—general search engine results too broad and miss the “invisible web” Covers the full spectrum of social gerontology and aging research—interdisciplinary focus (unlike ERIC, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, etc.) Original, hand-crafted abstracts create value (users may not need to look at the full article) Thorough indexing using the Thesaurus of Aging Terminology (8 th edition, 2005)

Need help or more information? Contact: AgeLine Database aarp.org/ageline