Study Design
In its cross-sectional analysis, VCAP explores the relationship between age and different cognitive constructs, considering how age impacts specific cognitive abilities. The project also explores how age relates to non-cognitive aspects such as personality, mood, life satisfaction, and engagement in cognitively stimulating activities.
The longitudinal phase, which began in 2004, introduces two innovative approaches. Firstly, it employs a measurement burst design, where participants complete three versions of each test across three sessions at each data collection point. Secondly, it features variable retest intervals, deliberately varying the time between these data collection points among participants. This design allows for a more dynamic and detailed understanding of cognitive aging over time.
Through its extensive data collection and unique methodologies, VCAP provides invaluable insights into the cognitive aging process across the adult lifespan.