The objective of this book is to examine the methods used in basic research on child development. Studies of replications and near-replications of commonly employed procedures of data collection and analysis are used. Evidence of consistency in research results is sought, thereby enabling the authors to assess the methodological adequacy of using such data as basic evidence on parent-child relations and personality development. Nineteen methods and instruments to measure the relation between parental practices and three areas of child behavior are studied. The three areas considered are child dependency, aggression, and conscience formation. Also, of concern are the mechanics of data collection and analysis, as well as the communication of research results and characteristics of a general research strategy. (DR)