RESEARCH TRAINING IN COGNITIVE AGING

 描述(由申请者提供)：在未来几十年里，鉴于老年人在普通人口中的数量不断增加，将继续需要对老年人的功能能力有透彻了解的科学家。这一名为“认知老龄化研究培训”的培训计划的目标是培养博士后和博士后研究人员，他们的职业生涯可以利用他们在认知老龄化方面的专业知识来改善老年人的生活，促进科学和实践，并为未来认知老龄化研究人员的教育做出贡献。我们的培训计划旨在培养在进行衰老和认知研究的理论、方法技术和实践方面训练有素的博士和博士后研究人员。从历史上看，我们的重点一直是从认知心理学的角度强调认知的基本和应用方面的培训。我们的方法是培训具有研究认知的心理学方法的特定专业知识的科学家，他们可以在跨学科研究团队中合作研究衰老(例如，认知神经科学、人类因素)。我们的计划提供以下培训：(A)评估认知过程和机制的实验方法；(B)测量认知结构、相关心理特征和可能与不同结果相关的背景特征(例如，转变为痴呆症)的不同方法；以及(C)设计和统计方法，用于分析与认知老化相关的研究问题的实验(包括培训和干预研究)、调查和纵向小组设计的数据。我们的受训人员在离开项目时拥有如何评估认知和认知机制的专业知识。他们懂得如何进行研究，重点放在基本的认知机制、专业知识和知识结构上，以及它们在成年后如何变化(正常和非正常)。他们还接受了如何应用关于认知老化的知识来提高老年人的生活质量的培训。我们的培训计划之所以成功，是因为它已经演变为反映了科学的进步和老龄化社会日益增长的需求。我们的核心教员代表了认知老化研究的广阔空间，为学员提供了他们作为21世纪学者科学家所需的研究经验和技能。我们在佐治亚理工学院和亚特兰大社区拥有丰富的网络，为我们的学员提供独特的跨学科研究机会。我们的实习生校友在他们选择的职业中非常成功，并在研究界产生了广泛的影响。鉴于我们的培训计划取得了历史性的成功，佐治亚理工学院和亚特兰大都会区为博士后和博士后学员提供了丰富的资源和机会，我们请求为五名博士后学员和两名博士后学员提供支持。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Over the next several decades there will continue to be a demand for scientists who have a thorough understanding of the functional abilities of older adults given the ever-increasing number of seniors in the general population. The goal of this Training Program, entitled "Research Training in Cognitive Aging," is to train predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers who will pursue careers in which they can use their expertise in cognitive aging to improve the lives of aging adults, advancing science and practice as well as contributing to the education of future cognitive aging researchers. Our Training Program is designed to produce PhD and postdoctoral researchers who are well-trained in theories, methodological techniques, and practical aspects of conducting research on aging and cognition. Our focus, historically, has been to emphasize training in basic and applied aspects of cognition from the perspective of cognitive psychology. Our approach is to train scientists with specific expertise on psychological approaches to studying cognition who can collaborate in interdisciplinary research teams to study aging (e.g., cognitive neuroscience, human factors). Our program provides training in (a) experimental approaches to assessing cognitive processing and mechanisms; (b) differential approaches to measuring cognitive constructs, relevant psychological traits, and background characteristics that may be associated with differential outcomes (e.g., transition to dementia); and (c) designs and statistical methods for analyzing data from experiments (including training and intervention studies), surveys, and longitudinal panel designs relevant to research questions about cognitive aging. Our trainees leave the program with expertise in how to assess cognition and cognitive mechanisms. They understand how to conduct research focusing on basic cognitive mechanisms, expertise, and knowledge structures and how they change (normatively and non-normatively) across the adult life span. They are also trained in how to apply knowledge about cognitive aging to improving the quality of life of older adults. Our Training Program has been successful because it has evolved to reflect advancements in science and the growing needs of an aging society. Our core faculty members represent the broad space of 'cognitive aging research' and provide trainees with the research experience and skills they need as scholar- scientists of the 21st century. We have a rich network at Georgia Tech and in the Atlanta community that provides unique interdisciplinary research opportunities for our trainees. Our trainee alumni are highly successful in their chosen careers and are having a broad impact in the research community. Given the historical success of our Training Program and the wealth of resources and opportunities for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees at Georgia Tech and in the Atlanta metropolitan area, we are requesting support for five predoctoral trainees and two postdoctoral trainees.