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From: nmhr@nmtvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.philosophy
Subject: Re: Parapsychology
Message-ID: <829@nmtvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 23-Oct-85 17:06:00 EST
Article-I.D.: nmtvax.829
Posted: Wed Oct 23 17:06:00 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 31-Oct-85 00:47:41 EST
References: <>
Reply-To: nmhr@nmtvax.UUCP (Tracy McInvale)
Organization: New Mexico Humanities Review
Lines: 37
Summary: 


>> Apparent paranormal phenomena has been elicited in the laboratory many
>> (conservatively speaking, hundreds) times under conditions most scientists
>> would consider highly rigorous, particularly if they were not informed that
                  ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^
>> the experiment were a parapsychology experiment.
  
	This statement is pure, unadulterated horse hockey. I know of no 
scientist who is informed as to the status of paranormal research
and is not participating in such research who considers the techniques
of these so-called "scientists" rigorous. Every scientific study has
its own problems. Paranormal studies abound in statistical errors,
facetious assumptions, and a contemptuous disregard of previous
research, negative or otherwise.

	The problem of purposeful fraud is not nearly as serious as the
dilemma of ignorance in the laboratory. The majority of paranormal
researchers have little or no knowledge of statistical methods of
analyzing data. When these "scientists" do possess such knowledge,
they often misuse the skill by drawing conclusions that to them seem
obvious, but to outside observers seem facetious. The best technique
for ensuring the data is not mishandled is by allowing outside
observers who are informed about the research to analyze the data
through any series of tests possible.




-- 
Tracy A. McInvale
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