Define Your Own Prejudices - Know Your Strengths, Weaknesses and Limits (Part 2 of a 3 Part Series)

We recognize that a glossary of terminology for thewe are using has 30 years experience in the use of a
paranormal is rife with flawed definitions, many ofnatural gift that has been anecdotally established on a
which are based on individual and religious beliefs andconsistent level, and documented through vast case
indicate prejudicial issues by their very usage. Bystudy. It is, however, an assumptive feature that is in
example, ghost, spirit, demons, angels, visions ofconflict with a pure scientific method. Experience has
specific religious figures (e.g. The Virgin Mary), are allshown us that the information is accurate when
"contaminated" with the beliefs and expectations ofverification is available on a level that makes it valuable
the user or observer. Many of the people that useto the work recalling that our mission is to gather
these terms are certain that they are using a bank ofinformation within a set of parameters. By the very
terminology that has been universally established andnature of the subject, many findings in the field are not
substantiated by evidence. These assumptions are,reproducible. Much of the "research" is, in fact, simply a
erroneous. It is noteworthy that when most peopledocumentation of the events and circumstance to the
have extra-sensory experiences, those experienceslimits of the researcher's resources. We recognize that
are often dressed in the belief symbols of the recipient.fact and readily identify it here as a flaw in the ability to
This provides clues that subjectivity plays a major roleattach any "pure science" label to it. We will attempt to
in interpretations of these types of events. Anyidentify any assumptive issues of which we are
procedure should hearken to this issue and attempt toaware. We would offer the information accurately
clarify our use of any subjective terminology whiledocumented within those parameters on its own merit
simultaneously identifying those aspects of thefor others to use, verify or contradict as their own
investigation that may be contaminated with our ownmodel demands. We, of course, expect anyone that
beliefs and expectations.uses the information to credit and cite the source
There are some aspects of our procedure that mustaccording to copyright laws, a major aspect of any
be defined as assumptive. Assumptive procedure,writing, including research.
here, is defined as procedures that, in themselves,The next limit has to do with other aspects of the
have processes or assumptions that have not beenmodel design and the limits of our current technology:
proven using scientific methods. What are assumptiveWe will be using EMF technology and looking at
features of research and what do they mean relativevarious aspects of electromagnetism and the
to a proper protocol? Much will be anecdotal orassociated fields. We understand that this is another
unproven based on witness reports and based on ourassumptive aspect of paranormal research. It has not
observations. This must be defined as a flaw relativebeen conclusively established that EMF has anything
to a scientific model and must be defined andwhatever to do with what is regularly termed as "a
explained completely.haunting". Indeed, the parameters of "haunting" have
We will be using an experienced psychic in ournot been verified on the level by which we are defining
investigations. The assumptive aspect of this feature is,the term here. Hallucinations during a specific timed
of course, that psychic abilities are, themselves, anexposure to very low frequencies, (below 30Hz) have
area of paranormal research still very much underbeen verified in a laboratory setting whereby it is
scrutiny. Simply put, the use of a psychic makes theconcluded that 20 to 30 percent of the population may
assumption that the type of information that thebe susceptible to this effect. Next: What About
technique makes available to us is real. The psychicEquipment?