Code of Ethics and Protocols for the Paranormal Investigator and Researcher (2023)
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Reposted from Academia.edu
Paranormal Investigation and Research is a field of study without a standard or basic foundation of procedure. Within the last decade, there has been an influx of individuals and groups that have taken an interest in paranormal investigation. With the influx of interest, there should be some established ethical guidelines and protocols for researching the paranormal that will prevent misinformation, increase accountability, lay a foundation of documentation, and decrease the potential for fraud. This code of ethics and protocols outlines a common sense approach for anyone within the paranormal community who wishes to investigate and research paranormal phenomena.
PREFACE
A paranormal investigator’s (the “Researcher”) goal is to obtain objective and detailed data to support or invalidate paranormal phenomena. Researchers maintain that the process of cases involving paranormal phenomena includes personal property, historical significance, religious interests, opposing opinions, and public image.
In reaching the goal of objective and detailed data, the Researcher has certain obligations to the client, the paranormal research community, their team, and their character. The Researcher should consider their work to include other avenues outside the paranormal case which include education, community outreach/service, continuing education, and public inclusion.
The following Code of Ethics outlines the principles and protocols researchers should maintain during the paranormal case, in social settings, and beyond. These principles include integrity, respect, responsibility, honesty, compassion, altruism, teamwork, confidentiality, wisdom, reliability, transparency, commitment, and fairness.
CODE OF ETHICS
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The Researcher will maintain the highest standards in all aspects of paranormal research including but not limited to the process of documentation, data collection, observation, analysis, research, and education.
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The Researcher will maintain respect for the research process, the history, the unknown, clients, associates, peers, locations, and diverse views within the paranormal research field.
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The Researcher will pursue historic preservation and the interests of legitimate paranormal research; while understanding and accepting the differences of opinion or approach.
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The Researcher will pursue continued education into new ideas, techniques, equipment, and data; by actively participating in field research, networking, discussion, and other media consumption.
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The Researcher will only practice within their educational, professional, and personal limits.
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The Researcher will maintain an objective and critical thinking process when documenting, observing, and validating potential paranormal phenomena.
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The Researcher will maintain a high standard for their approach to every case of paranormal research or investigation regardless of equipment, resources, variables, or conditions so that the quality of the results and involved parties are not compromised.
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The Researcher will utilize techniques, equipment, and approaches that do not adversely affect the reliability of results, the history, the unknown, the researcher/team, the client/associates, the location, or the reputation of the parties involved.
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The Researcher will document, observe, investigate, validate, debunk, and analyze all aspects of the paranormal case.
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The Researcher will preserve and protect property as part of the paranormal case with appropriate permissions and respect.
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The Researcher will be honest and respectful in all interactions with their team, peers, colleagues, clients, and the public. They will also seek to support opportunities to educate others and recognize those who know concentrated topics.
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The Researcher will actively contribute to the positive development of paranormal research by sharing individual knowledge, forming new theories, testing equipment, adapting methodologies, and educating others.
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The Researcher will operate in a safe way which will protect themselves and others from any hazards that may cause injury and/or legal ramifications.
PROTOCOLS
Conduct
It is the personal responsibility of the Researcher to adhere to the Code of Ethics. The Researcher recognizes certain situations may alter professional liability.
Confidentiality
The Researcher maintains strict confidentiality of all information unless permissions or requests have been given for disclosure of information. All details of confidentiality should be discussed thoroughly and documents should be drawn for any disclosure agreements.
Disclosure
It is the responsibility of the Researcher to disclose any details of structure, guidelines, rules, requests, liability, confidentiality, etc. with their client and associates. This can include but is not limited to protocols or structure for the interview, walk-through, investigation, review, case conclusion, outside consultation, or public sharing of case details. The Researcher should disclose the potential of increased or decreased paranormal activity that can occur after the investigation is completed.
Permissions
It is the responsibility of the Researcher to gain permission to enter any property from the owner or legal representative. Furthermore, permissions should be gained for access to any areas of the property before entering. The Researcher should have clear permissions for access as a precedent.
Laws and Regulations
The Researcher should always follow the laws and regulations put forth for any given organization, government, area, city, county, state, or country.
Communication
The Researcher should maintain a clear line of communication and transparency with their clients, associates, peers, and colleagues unless the information is confidential. All decisions, agreements, or conclusions should be shared and communicated.
Administration
The Researcher is responsible for any other researcher who is also practicing under the umbrella of their name. All tasks should be designated to individuals who also adhere to the Code of Ethics and support the protocols put forth by their supervising researcher. Researchers should have a clean criminal record and disclose any information that could adversely affect them, their supervising Researcher, the client, associates, or peers.
Education
The Researcher will use their knowledge and resources to educate others constructively and positively, especially those under their mentorship or within their research team.
Methodology
The Researcher should always follow a high standard in their approach to paranormal research for safety, security, liability, quality, honesty, and professionalism; regardless of the goals of the client or self.
Documentation
The Researcher should document all aspects of the paranormal case and create a detailed case file.
Interviews should have a basic questionnaire with follow-up questions for clear, reliable eyewitness accounts and details about the location/client.
A recorded walk-through should be done before an investigation with pictures, interviews, notes, and planning in mind.
Notes of any safety hazards, no access, or limitations should be made.
The Researcher should have detailed plans, delegation, equipment checklists, and forms created before the investigation with location details for safety. These plans should not limit creative technique or methodologies but create a structure for the location and those involved.
Historical research and geological information should be obtained to validate client claims and for information to help in the investigation process. Investigations should be documented fully with audio, video, baselines, conditions, variables, and team movement.
Data review should be carefully observed and analyzed with attempts to debunk and validate. This information and documentation should be carefully organized for future reference and resources.
Validation
The Researcher will use critical thinking skills and an objective approach to find natural explanations for any potential paranormal event that is documented or experienced.
It is generally accepted that repeat experiments, investigation, and observation may be needed to form a conclusion. If there is doubt of the legitimacy of a claim, the data is found to be false or fraudulent, or a logical explanation is found; the Researcher will make detailed notes of the information. They will utilize the supporting evidence that refutes the claim and state that it was debunked.
The Researcher understands that it is important to make sure that natural events are not being misinterpreted as paranormal.
Equipment and Technique
The Researcher should not use equipment or techniques that could adversely affect others' physical, mental, or emotional well-being.
The Researcher should understand the equipment used in the research process; operation and potential artifacts (false positives) before a formal investigation setting.
The Researcher and any associates should maintain professional boundaries when investigating paranormal claims, including how they operate equipment or approach their investigation techniques.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The Researcher will observe, collect, analyze, validate, debunk, and review all data before forming a conclusion for any paranormal case. Recommendations should only be made when the Researcher has gathered adequate information to form an educated opinion or conclusion. A plan for further investigation, research, or resolution should be made and approved.
Consultations
If the case conclusion or recommendation is outside the scope of educational, personal, or professional limits, the Researcher will make recommendations for the client, associate, peer, or colleague for consultations.
Outside consultants should be vetted and trusted colleagues who can address the concerns of the client, associate, peer, or colleague. These recommendations for consultation can also include mentorships for continuing education in specific aspects of paranormal research.
Resolution
The Researcher understands that in taking a paranormal case they are responsible for helping to achieve the goals of the client.
The Researcher should never give any resolution or recommendation to a client before gathering data that can support this conclusion.
The Researcher should operate with compassion and sympathy to help alleviate any fear or concern; they should never say or form conclusions that will adversely affect the client’s well-being or safety.
Public Relations
The Researcher should actively be part of paranormal research discussion in forums, blogs, articles, podcasts, social media, and more.
They should conduct themselves in a professional, constructive, and positive manner. The Researcher should recognize that reputation and character can be decided by the public with these interactions and can affect their future accomplishments.
Professional Conflicts
The Researcher should avoid situations that could be conflicts of interest. They should maintain a professional relationship with clients, associates, peers, and colleagues.
Researchers should disclose professional relationships with other teams or peers that may be seen as a conflict of interest or could violate a potential no-compete clause.
Misconduct or Fraud
The Researcher should understand the appropriate behaviors on and off of a paranormal case, for themselves and others.
If inappropriate behaviors, misconduct, or fraud are observed in another Researcher, an associate, peer, or client, the behavior should be addressed in a professional capacity.
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