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Two broad approaches to perinatal studies are set forth in these published Proceedings of the Conference on Research Methodology and Needs in Perinatal Studies held in Chapel Hill, NC in September of 1963. Most of the volume is devoted to the details of collecting massive amounts of data and processing the data (computer talk: "gigo" or "garbage in garbage out"). The jargon is impressive; the results have not been so impressive. The short paper on "Gaps in our Knowledge" by Dr. William Silverman makes a plea for planned experiments with careful observations of individual subjects by trained observers—the need for "deeper probe of the individual patient with a problem." Dr. Silverman's plea for more emphasis on the techniques which have proven so fruitful in the past is eloquent. The necessity for his restatement of this thesis is disappointing.
The volume serves no great purpose except as commentary on the current