Research Methods for Parapsychology Syllabus

Course Objectives

Introduce students to the scientific method and research methodologies used in psychological sciences. Specifically focus on the methods used in research of parapsychology and the methodology used to study anomalous phenomena and exceptional abilities. Include discussions of the scientific method, hypothesis testing, ethical issues in research, evaluating results, and designing experiments.

Course Outcomes

Students will have an understanding of basic experimental design principles and ethical issues related to research in parapsychology. Students will understand how experimental results are analyzed, and they will demonstrate an understanding of testing principles for ESP. Students will also understand issues related to the use of technology in testing for ESP and conditions that may affect results on ESP tests.

Course Outline

I. Experimental Methodology Overview

  • ·         Science vs. Pseudoscience.
  • ·         Research Methods
  • ·         Types of Research
  • ·         Research Process:
  • ·         Additional Consideration for Research

II. Basic Testing for General ESP

  • ·         Definitions of Telepathy, Clairvoyance, & Precognition
  • ·         Historical Testing Methods
  • ·         What is General ESP?
  • ·         Why use this term?
  • ·         Testing for GESP in the Ganzfeld
  • ·         Special Design Issues in Parapsychology
  • ·         Technology Applications

III. Testing Remote Viewing & Design Documents

  • ·         Definition of Remote Viewing
  • ·         Historical Testing Methods or Remote Viewing
  • ·         Issues with Historical Testing
  • ·         Target Selection
  • ·         Recent Remote Viewing Testing
  • ·         Practical Applications
  • ·         CRV & Teaching RV: Comparative Techniques
  • ·         Creating Design Documents
  • ·         Sample Design Document

IV. Testing PK & Survival Issues

  • ·         Definition of PK (Mind-Matter Interaction)
  • ·         Historical testing of PK
  • ·         Testing macro PK
  • ·         Testing micro PK
  • ·         The Experimenter Effect
  • ·         Categories of Survival Issues
  • ·         Issues surrounding survival testing
  • ·         Reincarnation, Past Lives and NDEs
  • ·         Apparitions & Hauntings
  • ·         Mediums
  • ·         Out of Body Experiences

V. Evaluating Results (Targets hits and Statistical Significance)

  • ·         Evaluating Target Hits
  • ·         Chance vs Performance
  • ·         Descriptive Statistics
  • ·         Evaluating the NULL Hypothesis
  • ·         P-Values
  • ·         Effect Size
  • ·         Choosing a Sample Size
  • ·         Baysian Analysis

VI. Ethical Issues in Testing

  • ·         What are ethics?
  • ·         Why are they important?
  • ·         Ethics in Testing
  • ·         Special Issues for Parapsychology
  • ·         Internal Review Boards (IRB)
  • ·         Creating a design for the IRB

VII. Technology Issues in Testing

  • ·         Types of available technology
  • ·         Benefits of testing with technology
  • ·         Random Number Generators
  • ·         Computer testing
  • ·         Testing on the Web
  • ·         Ideal Applications of Technology

VIII. Summary and special topics

  • ·         Review of research process
  • ·         Testing to a theory
  • ·         First Sight Theory
  • ·         Quantum Considerations
  • ·         Decision Augmentation Theory

Course Materials

Zener cards and the testing documentation provided by the Rhine Research Center.

Various articles selected by the instructor and provided for download throughout the course.

Course Activities

-       Students will be expected to view the class broadcasts or the recordings of the classes each week.

-       Students will be expected to participate in weekly discussion forums and activities. Each student will be expected to provide an original posting each week and to respond to at least one other student in the discussion forums. Greater participation in this area will be considered during class evaluations.

-       One multiple choice or short answer evaluations will be assigned after the 4th or 5th week of class.

-       The student will complete a basic design for a test for ESP which will include the components of experimental design learned in the class and will demonstrate a basic understanding of the concepts of testing for ESP.

 Evaluations and Grading

Students who are taking the course for a grade will be assessed using a letter grade based on the standard letter grade format.

A – 90 - 100

B – 80 – 89

C – 70 – 79

D – 60 – 69

F – Below 60

Participation in the forums is a large component of the grading, and substantive postings are necessary to get full credit for each discussion topic.

The following activities will be considered to contribute to the courses as follows:

Discussions (Total 40%)

-       Week 1-2 (10%)

-       Week 3-4 (10%)

-       Week 5-6 (10%)

-       Week 7-8 (10%)

Assessment #1 (30%)

Experimental Design (30%)