I'd like to suggest enhancement, that would allow us to specify, that a certain variable should not be connected with object where defined but where actually used
[code]<?php
abstract class Collection{ 
  /** @return ??? */ 
  public function set($name, $value){ 
    $this->$name = $value; 
    return $this; 
  } 
} 

class Example extends Collection{
  public function make();
} 

$bar = new Example(); 
$bar->set("xyz", 10)/* <- here should be CC for Example, not Collection
^     ^
|     |- method in Example class inherited from Collection returning $this;
|
|Example class
*/
?>
[code]

I don't know how NetBeans works internally, maybe with some hints I might help, but most likely you'll know if it's possible or not

Question is how to define which object should be returned
I understand you don't want to hack/misinterpret phpdoc
...would this be that case if we'd say
@return Collection <- would return object of mentioned class
@return $this <- would return object of actual class
... it seems pretty logical and intuitive for me

Otherwise this is something I don't know how to do otherwise