At a theoretical level, this text draws on core concepts in gerontology - age, dependency, social support and the quality of life - to illustrate their complexity and the difficulties of measurement. On a practical level, the text presents a number of methodological approaches which have been particularly useful in social gerontological research. The contributors, all social scientists, draw on their considerable experience of research and evaluation practice to comment on the problems and advantages that they have encountered. Finally, the contributors consider three critical issues - whether old people require special ethical consideration; the prospects for funding; and the importance of disseminating research effectively. "Researching Social Gerontology" has been specially commissioned by the British Society for Gerontology to outline current thinking in conceptual and methodological development, and the context in which gerontological research is being carried out.