Aging research and the Puerto Rican community: the use of an elder advisory committee of intended respondents.

This article reports on the use of a Puerto Rican Elder Advisory Committee and the role it played in the development and implementation of a four-year research project. The use of an advisory committee composed of the ultimate beneficiaries of a study increases the likelihood that the results will meet their needs. This article provides suggestions for how best to utilize this important resource in all phases of a research project.