The Self-Instructional Materials Project represents a significant step toward the development of a documented, replicable curriculum for medical education. It accomplishes this by carrying out the following generally accepted recommendations in the preparation of instructional materials: 1) it provides a useful technical manual--the Directory of Self-Instructional Materials--to accompany the materials it develops; 2) it regularly revises its materials; 3) it offers continuous dissemination of new materials; 4) instructional objectives are stated in detail; 5) objectives are operationally specified in terms of student behavioral responses; 6) the value of objectives is substantiated; 7) learning activities are directly related to objectives; 8) activities are sequenced to maximize student learning; 9) evaluation strategies are reported; 10) student target groups are identified; 11) validity data are cited; 12) internal and external evidence are distinguished; 13) formative and summative evaluations are conducted; 14) both intended and unintended outcomes are reported; 15) utilization procedures are specified; and 16) basic and supplementary materials which are needed are identified. (PB)