Merging mods vs esp masterfiles

[finalx31]

which is the more "correct" way to have one esp file's contents affect another esp file? I've used both the tes5edit mod merge script found at http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/37981/? as well has temporarily changing esp to esm files to make it a dependancy shown at http://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/754151-tutorials-without-youtoob/page__view__findpost__p__6035531.

 

so far both methods seem to have the desired result but i am more concerned more unforseen consequences i am unaware of. which of these are less intrusive? or are there even better ways to do something like this?

 

thanks in advance.