ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the research perspective is understood as the cognizant subject’s point of view, which consists in distinguishing a certain part from the scope of the complex research subject and describing it using specific terms. The life course perspective is such an understanding of a separate research perspective in social gerontology. Apart from the life course perspective, we can distinguish the life cycle perspective in social research. Both are important in social gerontology, yet nowadays, the mainly developed perspective is life course research.
The chapter points to cognitive and practical values of social research of old age using the life course perspective. The methodological and conceptual limitations of conducting such studies are also discussed. Serious methodological challenges are posed by using dynamic research schemes and the specificity of the elderly as respondents.
