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Towards a reduction of experimenter control in the study of special subjects

Proceedings of the Parapsychological Association 35 th Annual Convention .

In this paper it is proposed that, in dealing with special subjects, it is not necessary to have control over all factors that might allow for a normal explanation of ostensible paranormal data. It is argued that strong emphasis on this issue has hindered progress in parapsychological research. An alternative approach is advocated where Œsloppy¹ conditions are allowed as long as the experimenter has control over at least one theoretically relevant condition. This approach is illustrated with an exeptional case of GESP in the Netherlands. It is shown that even with moderate experimenter control decicive conclusions might be drawn for the majority of possible outcomes.