Learn about Ghost Hunting

What you need to learn

  1. Research
  2. Collect evidence
  3. Analyze evidence
  4. Present findings

How and where to learn

  1. Read books (new page)
  2. Subscribe to ghost hunting trade magazines and other magazines about ghosts and the paranormal
  3. Watch other ghost hunters at work
  4. Study online resources, join communities, and communicate with other ghost hunters and paranormal researchers (new page)

Research

Research can be as simple as talking to the owners of the property for which you're planning a ghost hunt, or as complex as library visits, in-person interviews, online sleuthing to find public records, news articles, and contact information for even more people to interview. There's no real secret to research, other than persistence, an attention to detail, and a willingness to work until you've exhausted all possible explanations and avenues of discovery.

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Collect evidence

The quickest way to learn the techniques of evidence collecting is to learn from other ghost hunters. Attend meetings and events that will put you in contact with people who are knowledgeable about the paranormal and talk with them. Also, read books written by other ghost hunters and watch tv and dvd programs of ghost hunters working. Try to avoid the sensationalized programs, because real ghost hunting is often tedious and hard work, where you're looking for a firefly in a mile-thick expanse of river fog.

Of course, every piece of data you collect isn't going to be evidence, but treat it as such until you've thoroughly discounted the data. This way you can avoid contamination of your evidence.

For many people, the only step in the process of ghost hunting they ever do is "collect evidence". There's certainly nothing wrong with that, if ghost hunting is a hobby and they have no real interest in paranormal research.

For others, the only reason to participate in ghost hunting is to gather evidence that can be used to support or disprove their own hypotheses about the paranormal.

Do whichever suits you, but try always to remain skeptical and objective about everything you collect. If you do, the evidence you do come across will have much more meaning to you and your collegues.

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Analyze evidence

As mentioned before, skepticism will do a lot for your reputation as a genuine ghost hunter and paranormal researcher. Your data will mean little if you gather it with an eye to believing everything you collect is genuine paranormal evidence.

Take your time as you go over the photographs, video, audio, and other evidence.

As a side note, keep a journal and lighted pen or pencil with you at all times and document anything and everything that happens. If you can't write it down the moment it happens (especially applicable when you're having a personal experience with the paranormal) take the time to record your experience as soon as possible. Keep track of even the most mundane happenings and details. You never know when these comments will become a cornerstone of your evidence.

When you're reviewing your data for evidence, this journal will come in very handy, giving you a context for every piece of possible evidence you've collected.

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Present findings

To whom and how do you present your evidence? It depends, on why you're hunting ghosts and researching the paranormal. If you're seeking evidence for yourself, to prove that a previous experience you had or an experience someone you know has had was a true and genuine paranormal event, then you may never want to present your evidence to anyone.

However, since most people are seeking validation of a belief, they'll want to write an article, submit it to a publisher, create a video or a podcast, or use other means to share their findings with other interested people.

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Magazines about Ghost Hunting, Ghosts, and the Paranormal

Magazines are a good way to keep up to date on paranormal research, ghost sightings and reported hauntings. And of course, if you want to get into ghost hunting and become a ghost hunter yourself, then subscribing to a magazine might be just the ticket.

Paranormal Magazine
PARANORMAL offers in depth coverage of Ghosts and Spirits, the afterlife, EVP, unsolved mysteries, UFO's, aliens, fortean phenomena, paranormal investigations as well as how to use investigation equipment, and regular up to the minute paranormal news from around the world. Published in the UK.

TAPS Para Magazine
[description] A publication of the Atlantic Paranormal Society, TAPS Para Magazine is a glossy publication dedicated to the paranormal, the unknown, and things in between. It features candid behind the scenes snapshots and stories from the Ghost Hunters television series as well as paranormal investigations, features, pictures, and contributions from experts in the paranormal field. If you're a fan of the Ghost Hunters show, this magazine is a must.

Mysteries Magazine
Mysteries Magazine is a factual, thought-provoking, in-depth look into myths and the paranormal.

Fate
Reports of unexplainable phenomena. Discusses the paranormal, from ghosts, to psychic phenomena.

Paranormal Review
Published by the Society for Psychical Research, the quarterly Paranormal Review aims to provide a forum for debate on psychical research, parapsychology, and related areas. It contains a mix of articles, reviews, letters, and announcements.

Skeptical Inquirer
Articles and book reviews about the critical investigation of paranormal claims from a scientific point of view. Provides the opportunity to view possible paranormal events from the other, skeptical, side.

Have I missed one? Let me know so I can add it to the list.

Documentaries, Film, and Television Programs about Ghosts, Ghost Hunting, and Hauntings

There's so much information about ghost hunting and paranormal investigating available that I'm sure I've left lots of stuff out, but I've tried to collect as complete a list as I can. I hope you've found something here helpful for your ghost hunting.

A Ghost in Every House

How to Hunt Ghosts is a "no-nonsense paranormal guide to get you quickly started on your first ghost hunt or to help improve your next one." Try it if you're looking for a quick learning experience so you can get started hunting ghosts right away.

Click here to check out this ghost hunting resource

If you're looking for software to help you track your ghost hunting investigations, click here to check out The P.L.A.N. - The Paranormal Log & Analysis Notebook Software