This document provides basic information about the study designs, data collection and analytic methods commonly used in early child care policy and other social science research. It is intended to give users a general orientation to research designs and methodologies to aid in understanding research in this field. Below are links to descriptions and discussions of different research designs, data collection approaches, and analytic methods and strategies. In addition to the information and discussion contained in each of these sections, links are provided to resources where additional information on a topic can be found. (author abstract)