MDRC Technical Resources: An Introduction and User’s Guide

MDRC researchers apply state-of-the art tools from the social sciences to provide answers to cutting-edge policy questions in the areas of welfare, economic security, community development, and education reform. We are also committed to making the results of our studies available to the broadest possible audience of policymakers, program administrators and field staff, public interest groups, academic and technical specialists, and, through the media, the general public. To meet the different needs of our information users — and to provide them with the clear, compelling insights for which they turn to MDRC — we are pleased to introduce a new report structure that makes our findings clearer, crisper, and more accessible without sacrificing the thoroughness and rigor that have been MDRC’s hallmark for the past 27 years.

What are the Technical Resources?

For the generalist and the busy policy professional who want to know what works in public policy and for whom, each MDRC report — published in both Web and print form — lays out the policy questions under investigation, describes the design and methodology of the research, presents the findings, and explores the policy implications. For those who want to dig deeper, we are pleased to announce that some of our newer reports are accompanied by the Web-only Technical Resources, a rich source of data and measurement tools, insights that elucidate and flesh out key findings, and in-depth explanations of the methodological challenges faced — and solved — in the course of the research.

Not a mere appendage to our reports, the Technical Resources are woven seamlessly into them. You will find them listed — and hyperlinked — on the Contents page and in the List of Tables and Figures. You will also find links to the Technical Resources sprinkled throughout text and footnotes. By segmenting our products in this way, we hope to enable you to chart your own course through our work, moving efficiently between each report and its Technical Resources as your time and curiosity permit. 

How do I use the Technical Resources?

Where to find the Technical Resources. You can view the Technical Resources by clicking on either of the following icons on the report’s Overview page: “Report (including Technical Resources)” or “Technical Resources.”

How to navigate through the Technical Resources. As you scroll through the report on screen, you will see hyperlinks at points where reference is made to material in the Technical Resources. Clicking on these will take you to the relevant Technical Resources section. Once you’re in the Technical Resources — whether you got there via the report or by clicking directly on the “Technical Resources” icon — you can scan on screen until you find what you’re looking for and/or simply print out the document. Keep in mind that if you’re in the “Report (including Technical Resources),” printing without specifying a page range will print the entire document, not just the Technical Resources.

Whether you’re in the report or the Technical Resources, navigate using your scroll bar or the buttons on your Adobe Acrobat toolbar (don’t use your browser’s “Back” button unless you want to return to the Overview page). 

This button takes you to the previous view, which is especially useful when you want to return to where you were in the report before clicking on a hyperlink to the Technical Resources.

Clicking on this button brings you to the previous page in the document (whether you previously viewed it or not), and 
will take you straight to the first page in the document. 
This button will take you to next view, next page, and last page. To search for a particular word or phrase, hit the binoculars icon on your Adobe Acrobat toolbar, and type in what you’re looking for.

An example. Suppose that, in a section of the report that covers a specific subgroup analysis, you come across a reference to additional subgroup data followed by a link to the Technical Resources. If you’re interested in learning more about the additional subgroup data, click on the link, and scroll through or print out whatever information you need. To resume reading the report where you left off, keep clicking the button on your Adobe Acrobat toolbar until you’re back at the right view.