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Mind to Mind: Telepathy, Fact or Fiction?

Choice Reviews Online, 1991 Peer-Reviewed
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✦ Imagine …

What counts as legitimate parapsychology research?

Imagine trying to map an entire continent that most people believe doesn't exist. In 1991, researchers compiled what became one of the most comprehensive encyclopedias of parapsychology and occult phenomena ever assembled. They gathered decades of research, experiments, and documented cases into a single reference work that spans everything from telepathy studies to historical accounts of unexplained phenomena. The question remains: what patterns emerge when you catalog the uncatalogable?

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This encyclopedia represents one of the most systematic attempts to organize and document the entire field of parapsychological research in one comprehensive reference work.

What Is This About?

Methodology

This is a reference encyclopedia compiling information about occult and parapsychological topics rather than an empirical study.

Outcomes

As a reference work, it provides definitions and explanations rather than research outcomes.

How Good Is the Evidence?

Anecdotal5/100
AnecdotalPreliminarySolidStrongOverwhelming

Supporters value comprehensive reference works as essential for understanding the field's history and terminology. Skeptics worry that encyclopedias mixing scientific research with historical occult claims may blur the line between evidence-based investigation and speculation. Both sides generally agree that distinguishing between different types of sources is important for evaluating parapsychological claims.

↔ Interpretation Spectrum

Mainstream: Reference works are useful for historical context but should not be confused with peer-reviewed research. Moderate: Encyclopedias serve an important role in organizing knowledge while readers must distinguish between documented research and historical claims. Frontier: Comprehensive references help preserve important information about phenomena that mainstream science may prematurely dismiss.

Common Misconception

Many people assume all parapsychology resources are equally scientific. Reference works like encyclopedias compile both rigorous research and historical claims without necessarily endorsing their validity.

Convincing Checklist
2 of 5 criteria met
Met2/5
Large sample (N>100)
Peer-reviewed journal
Replicated
Significant effect
DOI available

For reference works, credibility comes from accurate sourcing, clear distinction between documented research and historical claims, and regular updates reflecting current knowledge. This encyclopedia would be more convincing if it clearly separated peer-reviewed findings from anecdotal reports and historical accounts.

This is an encyclopedia providing comprehensive coverage of occult and parapsychological topics for reference purposes.

Stance: Mixed

What Does It Mean?

This encyclopedia essentially created the first comprehensive 'periodic table' of paranormal phenomena, organizing centuries of mysterious reports into searchable categories. It's like having a GPS for navigating the unexplained.

If this systematic cataloging reveals consistent patterns across different types of phenomena and research approaches, it could suggest that consciousness operates in ways our current scientific models don't fully capture. The encyclopedia might serve as a roadmap for identifying which areas of parapsychological research deserve more rigorous investigation with modern methodologies.

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Science Literacy Tip

Reference works like encyclopedias serve a different purpose than research studies—they organize existing knowledge rather than generate new evidence, so evaluate them based on accuracy and sourcing rather than experimental design.

Understanding Terms

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Encyclopedia
A reference work that compiles information on many topics, organizing knowledge for easy lookup rather than presenting new research
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Occultism
The study of hidden or supernatural phenomena, often including practices and beliefs outside mainstream science

What This Study Claims

Methodology

Reference works like this compile existing knowledge rather than generate new evidence

inconclusive

This work serves as a comprehensive reference source for occult and parapsychological terminology and concepts

inconclusive

The encyclopedia format allows for systematic organization of diverse parapsychological phenomena and historical accounts

inconclusive

This summary is for general information about current research. It does not constitute medical advice. The scientific interpretation of these results is debated among researchers. If personally affected, please consult qualified professionals.