This manual provides information needed by students taking independent study courses (readings) in agricultural education, business education, home economics education, industrial education, or health occupations education as part of the Vocational Education Studies Program at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. The objectives of the course are to increase the students' ability to locate research materials and to prepare lucid written reports. The first part of the manual consists of a description of the course and directions for completing it. Sections are included on course objectives; performance contracting; evaluation and grading; planning; the search process; reading and writing articles, book reviews, book reports, and Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) documents; and documentation (written contracts, written reports, and activities logs). The second part of the manual consists of eight appendixes that provide materials for use in the course, including sample contracts, 12 suggested article topics and suggested approaches, the SQ3R reading process, reference citations using the American Psychological Association (APA) format, report writing tips, sample article reports, sample book reviews, and sample activities log entries. Blank contract forms and activities log sheets also are included. (KC)