SGHA Research

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 Articles ~ Research ~ Can Dowsing Rods located paranormal activity associated with ghostly phenomena?

Abstract

This was a multiphase study, performed to find if dowsing rods could detect paranormal activity.

Null Hypothesis: Dowsing Rods can detect paranormal activity associated with ghostly phenomena.

Alternative Hypothesis: Dowsing Rods cannot detect paranormal activity associated with ghostly phenomena or Ghosts do not exist.

Introduction

It has been suggested that dowsing rods can be used to detect paranormal activity associated with ghostly phenomena. This article presents the collected data from from test sites and environmentally controlled and monitored conditions in accordance with SGHA Method 001. (Click here to read more about this method).

Materials and Methods

This study was carried out using SGHA Method 001, a double blind study which compares data that is collected in "haunted" and "non-haunted" (controlled) environments.

Experienced dowsers trained the researchers in the proper usage of dowsing rods. The dowsing rods were used in a total of 50 ghost hunts, 25 in Test sites (Positive controls), 25 in Control Sites (Negative Controls). A measured response was indicated by the rods crossing. The test was initiated in February 1985 and concluded in July of 1991.

The data collected was analyzed by standard deviation and a two sample (paired) T-Test.

NEGATIVE CONTROL POSITIVE CONTROL
Date + Result
02/15/1987
4
03/14/1987
7
04/18/1987
3
06/06/1987
2
07/18/1987
0
09/12/1987
5
12/12/1987
3
02/06/1988
8
04/16.1988
7
08/21/1988
4
10/08/1988
5
01/21/1989
9
01/28/1989
3
04/08/1989
8
05/13/1989
8
07/29/1989
3
11/11/1989
4
04/14/1990
6
07/14/1990
1
07/27/1990
7
09/09/1990
0
11/10/1990
4
01/19/1991
7
02/16/1991
6
07/13/1991
9
Date + Result
02/ 07/1987
3
03/28/1987
4
05/23/1987
5
06/20/1987
6
08/22/1987
1
10/10/1987
4
10/17/1987
8
10/31/1987
4
06/11/1988
6
07/23/1988
2
10/22/1988
3
11/ 19/1988
6
02/18/1989
4
06/10/1989
7
06/24/1989
9
08/12/1989
2
10/14/1989
3
10/28/1989
5
02/17/1990
2
05/19/1990
5
10/13/1990
3
10/20/1990
5
12/ 08/1990
6
04/20/1991
8
05/11/1991
4

Results

Number of repeated measures is 2
Number of subjects read in 50

Means and standard deviations for 2 repeated measures:

1)TEST SITES: mean = 2.3 s.d. = 2.73488
2)CONTROL SITES: mean = 2.46 s.d. = 3.1116

Mean Difference = -0.16 s.d.(difference) = 5.35804

95% C.I. about Mean Difference is (-1.68306, 1.36306)

Paired t-test
--------------
Hypotheses:

Ho: The mean difference between pairs is 0.
Ha: The mean difference between pairs is not 0.

Calculated t = 0.21115 with 49 D.F. p = 0.8336 (two-sided)

A paired t-test was performed to determine if there was a difference between paired differences of TEST SITES and CONTROL SITES

The mean difference between pairs of TEST SITES and CONTROL SITES are not significantly different from 0(zero).
(M=-0.16, SD =5.35804, N= 50), t(49)=.21, two-tail p = 0.834.

Based on the data obtained during the testing period, the null hypothesis is rejected. The alternative hypothesis, that dowsing rods cannot detect ghostly activity, or ghosts do not exist is accepted.

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