The Development of a Self-Guided, Library-Based Materials and Methods Manual for Social Work Research

Abstract

This paper addresses the development and testing of a self-guided, library-based materials and methods manual that complements a course in social work research at the undergraduate level and graduate level. The paper outlines the content of the manual and discusses its interface with the content in social work research design coursework. The manual guides the student though the process of selecting a topic for research, identifying library reference resources to support the topic area selected and developing a bibliography of reference material relevant to the topic. A special selection of the manual addresses computer-based references. The manual is also designed to complement other courses in the social work curriculum such as policy analysis and other special topic courses.