Almost every paranormal investigator uses some interpretation of the scientific method for investigating paranormal activity. If your personal experience of the paranormal only involves watching popular, paranormal television shows, you will never be able to witness the complete process and may have a skewed perception of the steps required for a solid investigation. An investigation never involves barn-storming a location with a K2 meter saying, "Hello, anyone out there?"

This is a simplified version of the scientific method.

OBSERVATION
Where to begin? The investigation begins with an individual witnessing something paranormal. A paranormal experience is anything that would be described as something unexpected or unusual.

QUESTION
Ask a question about what was observed. Is the rattling from the heating duct? Is there an electrical problem that makes the lights flicker?

HYPOTHESIS
How can we connect the the event and cause in a plausible, testable manner? Be cautious at this step to avoid making predictions; your hypothesis is a testable statement. How can the event and a possible cause be connected and if so, what can be done to test the connection?

EXPERIMENT
This is where a plan is created to test the hypothesis; the connection between event and cause. At this step, the investigator attempts to duplicates the original witness's observations.

DATA COLLECTION
The scientific equipment that an investigator uses is deployed at this time in an effort to document the experience with as much data to support the experiences and/or events witnessed by the observer. (For data collection, click HERE for our inventory)

ANALYSIS
After reviewing all the evidence, was there any evidence to support the hypothesis? This is the most time-consuming part of an investigation and often evidence needs review several times.
(For evidence review, click HERE for our software armory)

CONCLUSION
Was the evidence easily explained? Was there evidence of paranormal activity? Typically, an investigative team will need additional documentation to validate or refute an experience.