Observational Skills and Information Gathering
As a paranormal investigator, you must learn to hone your observational skills to almost superhuman levels. When you have learned to use the equipment and mastered all the many dos and don'ts for effective field work, you still have to develop the skills you need to observe your surroundings with a truly critical eye.
To do this, you must assess and observe the location objectively. Learn to release your emotions and let go of the preconceived ideas you have about a site or situation. First consider the facts. You will take a statement of unusual events from the client. Then you will make your own observations and judgments of those events.
Over the centuries, there have been many ways to foretell the future by supernatural means, including scrying, crystal balls, the Tarot, pendulums, and mirror magic. In ancient times, the future was also foretold and omens were read by examining the entrails of sacrificial animals.
Keeping Accurate Records
You must take good notes to keep track of unusual phenomena, even if someone is simultaneously videotaping the investigation. Notes can be a valuable way of recording important data; the camera can't catch every angle at once, nor can it know what you have just experienced on a personal level — an impression, a cold spot, or a ghostly touch. Keeping a record of your reactions to the things that happen can help you better reconstruct the investigation later.
Make a note of anything you think is significant. Record any possible ordinary explanations.
Later, eliminate all events or discrepancies that seem to be suspect and those for which there may be perfectly ordinary explanations.
List the remaining items separately, in order of significance, to ensure clarity of thought and to help you arrange your list logically.
Don't discard less significant facts. Instead, move them to the bottom and be aware that their status can change as the investigation proceeds.
Never ignore the influence of random coincidence. Most investigations involve some elements of coincidence or randomness.
Analyzing Data
Seek meaningful probabilities and correlations from the facts in order to limit the amount of guesswork in your analyses and conclusions. Dispassionately reviewing the evidence, both from your own personal experiences and from the electronic voice phenomena recordings, digital video recordings (DVRs), and even digital thermometer readings will help you make a balanced assessment that can withstand the scrutiny of critics and debunkers.
