Epistemological erasure: The subject of abuse in the problematization of 'elder abuse'.

The academic field of literature pertaining to elder abuse emerges largely from gerontology with contributions from a variety of disciplines including geriatric medicine, nursing, public health, law, psychology, sociology and social work. This paper presents a critical review of articles drawn from this literature to identify current directions leading the development of empirical research in this field. The objective measurement of prevalence, the identification and correlation of psycho-social risk factors and practice-based research oriented to intervention and prevention are identified as privileged sites for scientific investigation.

Designing 'older' rather than denying ageing: problematizing anti-ageing discourse in relation to cosmetic surgery undertaken by older people.

This paper problematizes anti-ageing discourse and interpretations that cosmetic surgery is an ageist practice and older people who undergo cosmetic surgery are denying ageing. It argues that conceptions of cosmetic surgery as anti-ageing are premised on an essentialist conception of the 'naturally ageing body'. Interview data and media texts are used to demonstrate how, through the notion of "re" suggested by terms such as rejuvenation, reversal and renewal, anti-ageing discourses inscribe 'ageing' in the practice of cosmetic surgery by older people.

The research/practice nexus: underlying assumptions about the nature of research uptake into practice in literature pertaining to care of the older person.

Much has been written about the link between practice and research in the nursing and health literature. The literature from fields of practice relating to care of the older person is no exception. Enhancing best practice to effectively meet the needs and desires of older people, and provide an optimal working environment for those providing that care, requires sustainable synergies between research and practice.

What's in a number? Issues in providing evidence of impact and quality of research(ers).

One of the challenges facing qualitative researchers in a climate in which audit culture has permeated many facets of the institutions in which they research is how to establish the impact and quality of their research. When examining track records, granting institutions place significant emphasis on publication performance. Although the quality and impact of publications have traditionally been assessed by peer review, there is currently a global trend toward the development, refinement, and increased use of quantitative metrics, particularly citation analysis and journal impact factor.