Eight established methodologies were evaluated and compared in this preliminary study, which was conducted to resolve methodological questions and problems and develop an adequate approach for the collection of valid, generalizable data for an extensive study of family use of television. The study focused on four variables: which family members watch television, what else they do while watching, who talks to whom while watching, and the content of family verbal interactions while watching. Twelve families who volunteered to serve as subjects for a pilot study completed questionnaires and then participated in additional selected phases of the study. These data were used to make final refinements in the procedures and instruments for the methodological study that was initiated in March 1980. Of the 260 families contacted by letter and/or telephone call, 53 completed questionnaires; 9 participated in telephone interviews; 8 completed diaries; 20 were interviewed in person; 4 were videotaped; 5 were audiotaped; 4 were observed by experimenters; and 4 were observed by family members. Comparisons of the data provided by and family reactions to the various approaches led to the tentative conclusion that the telephone interview combined with a questionnaire is the best methodological approach to developing a descriptive database on families' use of television. The questionnaire, interview form, observation form, telephone interview protocol, and extensive statistical results are appended. (LMM)