The Advocates for Scientific Paranormal Investigative Research
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY BEING REVISED AND RECREATED
The information below is simply a template for what ASPIR is meant to become. We are actively seeking contributors to help revise and implement new components and ideas to this project.
The origins of the PSIRO’s concern to maintain an up-to-date set of ethical guidelines, standard research protocols, and to be proactive in the discussion of paranormal research ethics lies in our sense of responsibility to the advancement of paranormal research and the paranormal research community as a whole.
At present, we have no reliable system of ethical governance or review in terms of paranormal research or study. The sanctions we can apply to those who discredit our research and studies are limited. There is currently no comprehensive system of registration or licensing which can confirm the credentials or quality of a research organization and its individual researchers.
The key responsibility for ethical awareness and for the status of the paranormal research community rests with each individual paranormal researcher and investigator, as the actions of each affect us all. The Paranormal Study and Investigative Research Organization created the Advocates for Scientific Paranormal Investigative Research (ASPIR), formerly known as ASPRS. that will create ethical guidelines and standard research protocols in the light of current concerns and knowledge. All PSIRO members, affiliates, and associative members are required to read and abide by these guidelines as a condition of membership. We present them more broadly so that they may be available to inform ethical practice and debate across the whole paranormal research community.
Furthermore, any organization or individual wishing to participate and collaborate in the ASPIR may request to do so by filling out the PSIRO affiliate/associative member request form. The ASPIR is not nor should it be confused with a governing body or review board over the paranormal research community. It is simply a collaborative effort to share information, resources, and research studies to further advance paranormal research.
Becoming an ASPIR Member
Being an ASPIR member is more than just affiliating your research organization with the ASPIR name, it is about taking an oath to yourself, your peers, and the entire paranormal research community to uphold the highest level of research, integrity, and practice. ASPIR membership is not freely given to any team or organization that requests it. The ASPIR title is given to those groups that exude exemplary research practices and methods with the hopes of advancing the paranormal research field both in professional and scientific reputations.
Similar to PSIRO membership, ASPIR members must conduct and submit their research, whether it be through case studies, field research, laboratory studies, etc, for peer review of all ASPIR members. ASPIR members are required to submit their research for peer review. ASPIR members are also required to abide by the guidelines, standards, and protocols that have been set forth by the ASPIR.
The ASPIR is not a paranormal research organization nor does the ASPIR conduct paranormal investigations or research. The ASPIR is a group of professional and scientifically minded organizations that have come together to collaborate in order to advance the research methods and practices within the paranormal research field.
GUIDELINES, STANDARDS, AND PROTOCOLS
Draft 1 (not final) - VIEW GUIDELINES