Advanced Research Methods: Ageism and the Australian Elderly

This research report investigates ageism in Australia, focusing on the attitudes of students towards the elderly and the quality of their contact with older adults. The study, based on a survey of 318 students, examines the interconnectedness of factors related to ageism. The report presents the methodology, including the use of questionnaires with Likert scales and statistical analyses such as regression and ANOVA. The findings reveal a direct relationship between attitudes toward the elderly and the quality of contact, but no relationship between awareness of ageism and pleasant experiences. The discussion interprets these results, highlighting the positive perceptions of students regarding the elderly and the impact of societal misconceptions on their experiences. The research concludes by emphasizing the need for increased awareness and understanding of ageism to improve the experiences of older Australians. The student used the data set provided by the instructor and followed the instructions to perform the analysis.