Perceptions of Post-Retirement Employment

Toughill, E., Mason, D.J., Beck, T.L. & Christopher, M.A. (1993). Health, income, and post-retirement employment of older adults. Public Health Nursing, 10(2), 100-107.

The abstract of this study succinctly states the study's basic rationale, its subject sample, and the research purpose. However, the abstract's report of findings is limited to a statement of the fact that results support a particular theory of aging. Since, the reader is not yet aware of what this theory is, he or she is not provided with much information by this final statement. The abstract would have been better if findings were briefly summarized and a short delineation of the basic theory provided prior to the statement concluding that the theory is supported.

One of the best features of this study is that it is clear and logical in stating the basic nature and rationale of the research. Moreover, this rationale is presented within a framework of several supportive studies.

Regarding the rationale, this can be stated as follows. When the authors found that only three retirees responded to an advertisement for light maintenance work (work to be done by older people for older people), an ad viewed by at least 120 retirees, Toughill and associates decided to sur

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searchers wish to generalize (e.g. retirees) is reduced due to the failure to introduce randomness into subject selection procedures. Moreover, as has been reported by Kiess and Bloomquist (1985), volunteers have different characteristics than non-volunteers and therefore a volunteer sample also lacks representativeness of the whole population from which subjects were drawn; in other words, those with the characteristics of non-volunteers are not represented. All subjects were asked to complete a researcher-designed questionnaire assessing their perceptions of post-retirement employment. Demographic information was also collected. Regarding the questionnaire, the authors reported that: Content and face validity were established by having the questionnaire reviewed by two master's-prepared geriatric nurse practioners and by two older individuals. The instrument was revised according to their recommendations. (p.102) Borg and Gall (1977) have noted that test development procedures such as the foregoing (e.g. use of a panel of experts as a validity check on the constructed instrument) are acceptable in survey studies. However, the authors also state that it needs to be recognized that such methods do not guarantee the psychom
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Borg Gall, Critique Article, Overall Evaluation, Kiess Bloomquist, Critique Abstract, , Gall MD, Bloomquist DW, Christopher MA, post-retirement employment, References JW, continuity theory, theory aging, perceptions post-retirement, convenience sample, continuity theory aging, perceptions post-retirement employment, degree willingness, construction development methods, data error, toughill associates, kiess bloomquist, health income, national labor shortage, test construction development,
Approximate Word count = 1367
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)

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