"Paranormal Investigations, Research and Equipment
Paranormal is a term that describes a variety of unexplained and unproven phenomena, including crop circles, Bigfoot and ghosts. For those who believe in the paranormal or who have been first-hand witnesses to it, finding evidence of paranormal activity can be essential to validating their experiences, giving them peace of mind and proving the existence of the paranormal to the world.
However, when it comes to proving the existence of anything paranormal, research and investigation of these subjects are especially challenging. By definition, all things paranormal already exist outside of the realm of 'normal' science, and proving the paranormal to skeptics requires paranormal researchers to find these elusive scientific explanations.
Regardless of the challenge, many still use a variety of efforts to research and prove the paranormal.
Paranormal Research
As with any study of science, research can progress through a number of methods including the:
* anecdotal approach: Using anecdotes to prove the paranormal involves collecting stories and experiences from those who claim to have witnessed or otherwise experienced paranormal phenomena. Because people naturally have biases, make deductions from their experiences and rarely remember events exactly as they occurred, anecdotal approaches to to proving the paranormal are considered pseudoscientific and, therefore, aren't accepted by mainstream science.
During the early 1900s, Charles Fort popularized the anecdotal approach of researching the paranormal by collecting around 40,000 anecdotes of paranormal phenomena.
* experimental methods: Conducting experiments to prove the paranormal is primarily used by researchers investigating phenomena of parapsychology (a field studies the afterlife, ESP and telekinesis). In many cases, experimental methods revolve around card-guessing experiments that attempt to prove the existence of ESP.
While many credible researchers and institutions were using experimental methods to prove parapsychology during the 1970s, failure to find concrete evidence has led many reputable researchers to abandon this form of paranormal research.
* participant-observer approach: In contrast to research methods that take place in labs, the participant-observer approach to paranormal research calls for the investigator to immerse himself in the paranormal experience to better understand the subject and collect data about it. Visiting "haunted" locations and performing séances are both popular ways that researchers practice the participant-observer approach.
Currently, this research method seems to be among the most popular ways for paranormal believers to investigate their subjects. Many reality-television shows, such as Ghost Hunters, document ongoing investigations that use the participant-observer research approach.
While paranormal investigators around the world continue to use the above and a variety of other research methods, to date, no one has conclusively proved the existence of the paranormal through research.
The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS)
Based in Rhode Island, TAPS is an association dedicated to investigating the paranormal on an ongoing basis. While TAPS' paranormal investigations have been occurring since 1990, since 2004, TAPS has been the subject of a popular reality show known as Ghost Hunters. Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson are credited with starting TAPS.
Paranormal Equipment
Paranormal researchers may use a variety of equipment to document paranormal experiences. Common pieces of paranormal equipment include:
* motion detectors: This piece of equipment uses infrared technology to detect physical movement, shock waves and temperature changes in a given region. Motion detectors with a few special features can cost as little as $20.
* thermal scanners: By measuring extreme temperature changes with incredible accuracy, thermal scanners supposedly indicate the presence of paranormal phenomena. This piece of equipment typically starts at around $100, depending on where you purchase it.
* tri-field meters: These sensitive meters detect electric and magnetic fields. Depending on the sensitivity of these meters, they may have to remain stationary, rather than be carried around. Most quality tri-field meters start at around $150.
Gaussmeters, ion detectors and EMF headsets are also popular pieces of paranormal research equipment.
Paranormal Research Equipment
Paranormal investigators take their work seriously. When checking out a purportedly haunted site, they plan ahead and bring plenty of paranormal investigative equipment with them.
The equipment in a paranormal researcher's kit varies, but certain items are considered to be especially helpful when investigating paranormal phenomena.
EMF Detection Meters
An electromagnetic field (EMF) meter is a common tool used among ghost hunters. This piece of paranormal investigative equipment measures the electromagnetic field radiating from household objects. While no scientific evidence exists to support this, it is widely believed that ghosts can disrupt an electromagnetic signal or even give off radiation of their own.
The accuracy of these meters can vary, with handheld devices being the least reliable. A ghost hunter using a handheld EMF meter should be careful to stand as still as possible because even the tiniest bit of movement can cause the electromagnetic readings to fluctuate.
The cost of EMF meters ranges from about $40 (for a very basic meter designed for beginners) to $200 for professional equipment with a built-in EMF alarm.
Infrared Surveillance Cameras
Infrared surveillance cameras cost around $20 and can be very useful pieces of paranormal investigation equipment, especially for researchers exploring a large area. The camera will sound an alarm if motion is detected, meaning researchers can plant it in one room while exploring another one nearby.
Thermometer or Infrared Thermometer
Since a rapid drop of 10° or more could signify a nearby ghost, a thermometer is a great tool for any paranormal investigator to have. Infrared thermometers can scan a large space and can respond to temperature drops much more quickly than regular thermometers. Thermometers start around $10 for a basic digital thermometer and can cost up to $130 or so for a high-end infrared thermometer.
Because paranormal phenomenon can interfere with electronic equipment, paranormal investigators should also bring along an old-fashioned mercury thermometer as a backup.
Cameras and Paranormal Investigation Equipment
A regular 35mm film or digital camera is a vital part of paranormal research equipment. Photos taken at allegedly haunted sites can provide tangible evidence of paranormal phenomena. Orbs (balls of light believed to be ghosts) and ectoplasmic mist that might not be visible to the naked eye often show up on developed film, negatives or even on a digital camera's display screen.
Originally, using digital cameras as paranormal investigative equipment was frowned upon. The earliest signs of paranormal phenomenon captured by digital photography were explained away as defects in the equipment or computer trickery.
However, as digital cameras have become more mainstream and reliable, paranormal investigators have begun using them in place of their old 35mm cameras. The digital camera has many advantages over its film counterpart, the most obvious being the ability to see a picture immediately after taking it.
Prices for digital cameras vary widely. They start as low as $80, but paranormal researchers should be prepared to spend at least $200 to $400 for a good digital camera.
EVP Listener
Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) refers to the ghostly whisperings occasionally heard on tapes and other audio devices. For years, EVP could only be heard by a trained ear on an audio recording. Now, however, paranormal investigators can arm themselves with an EVP listener: a device that transforms magnetic signals into their audio counterpart. When paired with a set of headphones, an EVP listener allows researchers to hear EVPs as they occur. An EVP listener is portable and costs around $20.
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Paranormal is a term that describes a variety of unexplained and unproven phenomena, including crop circles, Bigfoot and ghosts. For those who believe in the paranormal or who have been first-hand witnesses to it, finding evidence of paranormal activity can be essential to validating their experiences, giving them peace of mind and proving the existence of the paranormal to the world.
However, when it comes to proving the existence of anything paranormal, research and investigation of these subjects are especially challenging. By definition, all things paranormal already exist outside of the realm of 'normal' science, and proving the paranormal to skeptics requires paranormal researchers to find these elusive scientific explanations.
Regardless of the challenge, many still use a variety of efforts to research and prove the paranormal.
Paranormal Research
As with any study of science, research can progress through a number of methods including the:
* anecdotal approach: Using anecdotes to prove the paranormal involves collecting stories and experiences from those who claim to have witnessed or otherwise experienced paranormal phenomena. Because people naturally have biases, make deductions from their experiences and rarely remember events exactly as they occurred, anecdotal approaches to to proving the paranormal are considered pseudoscientific and, therefore, aren't accepted by mainstream science.
During the early 1900s, Charles Fort popularized the anecdotal approach of researching the paranormal by collecting around 40,000 anecdotes of paranormal phenomena.
* experimental methods: Conducting experiments to prove the paranormal is primarily used by researchers investigating phenomena of parapsychology (a field studies the afterlife, ESP and telekinesis). In many cases, experimental methods revolve around card-guessing experiments that attempt to prove the existence of ESP.
While many credible researchers and institutions were using experimental methods to prove parapsychology during the 1970s, failure to find concrete evidence has led many reputable researchers to abandon this form of paranormal research.
* participant-observer approach: In contrast to research methods that take place in labs, the participant-observer approach to paranormal research calls for the investigator to immerse himself in the paranormal experience to better understand the subject and collect data about it. Visiting "haunted" locations and performing séances are both popular ways that researchers practice the participant-observer approach.
Currently, this research method seems to be among the most popular ways for paranormal believers to investigate their subjects. Many reality-television shows, such as Ghost Hunters, document ongoing investigations that use the participant-observer research approach.
While paranormal investigators around the world continue to use the above and a variety of other research methods, to date, no one has conclusively proved the existence of the paranormal through research.
The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS)
Based in Rhode Island, TAPS is an association dedicated to investigating the paranormal on an ongoing basis. While TAPS' paranormal investigations have been occurring since 1990, since 2004, TAPS has been the subject of a popular reality show known as Ghost Hunters. Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson are credited with starting TAPS.
Paranormal Equipment
Paranormal researchers may use a variety of equipment to document paranormal experiences. Common pieces of paranormal equipment include:
* motion detectors: This piece of equipment uses infrared technology to detect physical movement, shock waves and temperature changes in a given region. Motion detectors with a few special features can cost as little as $20.
* thermal scanners: By measuring extreme temperature changes with incredible accuracy, thermal scanners supposedly indicate the presence of paranormal phenomena. This piece of equipment typically starts at around $100, depending on where you purchase it.
* tri-field meters: These sensitive meters detect electric and magnetic fields. Depending on the sensitivity of these meters, they may have to remain stationary, rather than be carried around. Most quality tri-field meters start at around $150.
Gaussmeters, ion detectors and EMF headsets are also popular pieces of paranormal research equipment.
Paranormal Research Equipment
Paranormal investigators take their work seriously. When checking out a purportedly haunted site, they plan ahead and bring plenty of paranormal investigative equipment with them.
The equipment in a paranormal researcher's kit varies, but certain items are considered to be especially helpful when investigating paranormal phenomena.
EMF Detection Meters
An electromagnetic field (EMF) meter is a common tool used among ghost hunters. This piece of paranormal investigative equipment measures the electromagnetic field radiating from household objects. While no scientific evidence exists to support this, it is widely believed that ghosts can disrupt an electromagnetic signal or even give off radiation of their own.
The accuracy of these meters can vary, with handheld devices being the least reliable. A ghost hunter using a handheld EMF meter should be careful to stand as still as possible because even the tiniest bit of movement can cause the electromagnetic readings to fluctuate.
The cost of EMF meters ranges from about $40 (for a very basic meter designed for beginners) to $200 for professional equipment with a built-in EMF alarm.
Infrared Surveillance Cameras
Infrared surveillance cameras cost around $20 and can be very useful pieces of paranormal investigation equipment, especially for researchers exploring a large area. The camera will sound an alarm if motion is detected, meaning researchers can plant it in one room while exploring another one nearby.
Thermometer or Infrared Thermometer
Since a rapid drop of 10° or more could signify a nearby ghost, a thermometer is a great tool for any paranormal investigator to have. Infrared thermometers can scan a large space and can respond to temperature drops much more quickly than regular thermometers. Thermometers start around $10 for a basic digital thermometer and can cost up to $130 or so for a high-end infrared thermometer.
Because paranormal phenomenon can interfere with electronic equipment, paranormal investigators should also bring along an old-fashioned mercury thermometer as a backup.
Cameras and Paranormal Investigation Equipment
A regular 35mm film or digital camera is a vital part of paranormal research equipment. Photos taken at allegedly haunted sites can provide tangible evidence of paranormal phenomena. Orbs (balls of light believed to be ghosts) and ectoplasmic mist that might not be visible to the naked eye often show up on developed film, negatives or even on a digital camera's display screen.
Originally, using digital cameras as paranormal investigative equipment was frowned upon. The earliest signs of paranormal phenomenon captured by digital photography were explained away as defects in the equipment or computer trickery.
However, as digital cameras have become more mainstream and reliable, paranormal investigators have begun using them in place of their old 35mm cameras. The digital camera has many advantages over its film counterpart, the most obvious being the ability to see a picture immediately after taking it.
Prices for digital cameras vary widely. They start as low as $80, but paranormal researchers should be prepared to spend at least $200 to $400 for a good digital camera.
EVP Listener
Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) refers to the ghostly whisperings occasionally heard on tapes and other audio devices. For years, EVP could only be heard by a trained ear on an audio recording. Now, however, paranormal investigators can arm themselves with an EVP listener: a device that transforms magnetic signals into their audio counterpart. When paired with a set of headphones, an EVP listener allows researchers to hear EVPs as they occur. An EVP listener is portable and costs around $20.
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