This paper re-examines methods originally proposed in a paper by Berg and Robinson for the calculation of absolute Raman cross sections, on and far off resonance. In contrast to previous theories of the Raman effect, the concept of polarizability derivatives is hidden: The Franck–Condon effect is the dominant factor in determining Raman cross sections. When sums over the vibrational fine structure are carried out and only a single electronic transition is used, large differences in calculated scattering cross sections occur when using Raman formulas related by various transformations. This is in agreement with conclusions in the earlier paper. However, resonance Raman intensity is not very sensitive to the various methods discussed in the paper. When the sums are extended over more than a single electronic state or when the nuclear dependence of electronic transition moments is taken into account, interference effects found in the Berg–Robinson paper can be subdued, shifted, or eliminated. The need for precise off-resonance Raman excitation spectra of simple gas phase diatomic molecules is stressed.