So much bad science out there ...

[MRT]

I look at a lot of paranormal websites (as in, about the paranormal!:smiley:) and I always like to read their technical articles. Many contain advice on ghost hunting, use of instruments and so on. It is meant to be purely factual advice explaining how things work. It is not paranormal theory, just straightforward technical information. The problem is, much of it is just plain wrong! It varies from slight inaccuracies to complete nonsense.

I can understand how the paranormal theories articles could be a bit controversial (!) but the basic technical stuff about instruments shouldn't be. The facts are freely available on manufacturers and hobbyists websites as well as in text books.

I'm afraid that many paranormal researchers are getting a garbled idea of how their instruments work and how to use them.

[Dr B]

Is it fair to call it bad science? Is it not just pseudoscience? :sad:

[MRT]

It's not pseudoscience - it's getting widely known facts wrong. I think some of the descriptions of how digital cameras work must have been channeled rather than come from a manual. :smiley:

The big problem is, some people probably rely on these sites for technical information. If they do, it may turn otherwise fairly sensible investigations into nonsense.

[MRT]

It makes me wonder where people get their technical information! It's not like there are dozens of dodgy textbooks out there or equipment manufacturers' websites full of errors, is it? So when someone sits down to write an article explaining how, say, an EMF meter works, where do they get their info? It's a mystery!

[Dr B]

Fair points - but i dont think it has anything to do with science - or 'bad science' as implied in the title of the thread.

I agree though - it is worrying as to where people get their ideas from......

[MRT]

The readers think it's science. It's technical and sounds scientific. The trouble is, it's just plain wrong! A typical widespread example is the idea that digital cameras are more sensitive to infra-red than film cameras when they're not.

These articles are written in a style that suggests the author is an expert (they probably are - in their own eyes!). Non-technical readers can be forgiven for taking them seriously.

I wonder if they get their 'facts' from other paranormal websites? Even if that's true, it doesn't explain where the original mistakes arose.

[Mongrel]

I think some of the descriptions of how digital cameras work must have been channeled rather than come from a manual.
Or it was one of those manuals that seem to have been translated through Babelfish 2 or 3 times ;)

[bobdezon]

There are three reasons they use these instruments.

1: they believe they are doing real scientific work because they are ignorant of the instruments actual usuage. (ad logicam or ad novitatem)

2: they see others using them and want to emulate their perceived professionalism by replicating the methods seen. (ad populum perhaps)

3: they are trying to add real scientific data as an addendum to their report not realising it is impossible without probable cause. (Ignotum per Ignotius maybe)

I particularly like the equipment page myself, especially when it includes pendulums, dowsing rods, planchettes and ouija boards.

What does annoy me however when a group is trying to be serious and technical (read all scientific n shiznit) and they add those silly javascript clocks and dials with current solar radiation outputs and waxings and wanings of the moon and geothermal activity etc. Like it makes any difference at all to the report unless they are testing a hypothesis (which they are not). Some sites even have instructions on "ghost weather" like the imaginary and arbitrary best time to go ghost hunting. Its really annoying to be honest.

[filippo lippi]

Is it possible to have a link to some of these articles?

[MRT]

I'm not going to put out links in case people think I'm having a go at them, in particular. But if you Google any ghost hunting related term you will quickly come across websites offering technical advice for would-be ghost hunters. Just look for articles on the use of equipment and ghost hunting techniques.

Don't bother asking me about individual links as I won't comment on them. You'll have to judge for yourself!