This article presents an overview of the recently published first two parts of the Memorandum III "Methods for Health Services Research" discussed and approved by the member societies of the German Network Health Services Research [Deutsches Netzwerk Versorgungsforschung e.V.]. Part one of this memorandum covers methodical principles and minimum standards for the subject areas of health services research "Epidemiological Methods for Health Services Research", "Methods for Organisational Health Services Research" and "Methods for Quality of Life Research", the second part the topics "Methods of Health Economic Evaluation" and "Registries for the Health Services Research". The Memorandum is addressed to health services researchers and to reviewers who are planning, conducting, publishing studies as well as evaluating research proposals and publications. Assurance of quality and increase of the health services research are the aims of the Memorandum III. According to the advanced knowledge in health services research the Memorandum needs regular updates. Therefore the Memorandum has to be understood as "work in progress".