This information written in the Preface would have been helpfeul before I purchased this book. (Social workers should not expect this book to replace the Publication Manual. They should be aware that this is one of several reference books that belong on their desk when they write. Somtimes the transition from first-year English composition classes to social work classess leaves students confused because these first-year classes tend to be taught with emphasis on the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. In these courses students learn how to organize a coherent paragraph, how to develop a thesis statement, and how to write an essay or a library research paper in generic (MLA-based)style. This is a useful start, but it does not enhance students' technical writing skills when it comes to using APA gudelines. They must now learn to write using APA Style, which includes not only rules made excilict in the Publication Manual but also other conventions that constitute the unwritten rules of the APS style. For example, rather than write about what other authors "said" or "believed", they should concentrate on what the author "found or "reported". Also, the title of an article should not be mentioned in a literature review, and passive voice may sometimes be used.)

Great tool and guide to write social work research papers.