The Paranormal Investigator Social Contract
The following is a social contract that reflects our commitment to the paranormal community and to the community at large. It was authored by Moorestown Ghost Research and both inspired by and derived from the Debian Social Contract.
- Investigation and research will remain free-of-charge
Receiving payment for paranormal investigation runs at counter purposes to our primary missions – to help those who are experiencing potentially paranormal phenomena and to uncover the truth behind those phenomena, be they paranormal or mundane.
Ancillary services, such as public speaking, are exempt from this policy insofar as they will financial benefit the hosting site or organization.
- We Will Not Hide Our Methodology
We will be honest and clear with the paranormal community and the public regarding how our evidence is captured. By welcoming public and community critique of our methods, we help to reduce errors, introduce new and improved methods to the community, and build trust in the results of paranormal research.
- Our Priority is to Help Those Experiencing Paranormal Phenomena
We will give priority in our investigation and research to those clients that are negatively affected by potentially paranormal phenomena. We will make every effort to assist each such client that contacts us through investigation, advice, or referral.
- We Will Maintain Professionalism at All Times
We will act with professionalism at all times. Our speech, writing, and actions will at all times reflect well on the paranormal research community.
Additionally, extra care will be taken on private cases – those with families and/or children – so as not to alarm clients unnecessarily.
- We Will Respect the Sites We Investigate
Proper permission to be on-site will always be acquired before arriving at private property or closed public property. Due care will be taken to leave the property under investigation in the same condition it was in when we arrived as well as to fulfill any special requests of the legal owners or designated representatives with regard to preserving the history of a site.
- We Will Respect an Individual’s Right to Privacy
The names, addresses, and other distinguishing information (text, audio, or images) of clients or other non-members associated with us will be withheld from the public on request.
We will comply, however, with all applicable laws which require such disclosure in specific circumstances, such as during court proceedings
- We Will Respect Individuals’ Cultural and Religious Beliefs, Including Our Own
We, our clients, other investigators, and all people have a natural right to believe or not believe as they choose. We will acknowledge and respect other belief systems during investigations and refrain from purposely belittling or demeaning them. In turn, we will act with the expectation that our beliefs will be treated respectfully in turn.
Our findings will be presented within the context of our own beliefs, which will be made public insofar as they affect our approach to investigation and/our interpretation of results.
This document has been made possible by input from:
- prander, from tprconline.com