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ETHICS IN GHOST HUNTING

IN THE FIELD OF PARANORMAL RESEARCH (GHOST HUNTING) WE FACE MANY OBSTACLES. ONE OF THE HARDEST TO OVERCOME IS BEING PERCEIVED AS CREDIBLE AND PROFESSIONAL. I HAVE WRITTEN THIS ARTICLE WITH THIS IN MIND, IN ORDER TO GIVE MY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW WE CAN HELP EVERYONE IN OUR FIELD EARN THE RESPECT OF THE CITIZENS AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. I HOPE YOU WILL FIND THE FOLLOWING TIPS & SUGGESTIONS HELPFUL. IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU THINK SHOULD BE ADDED, OR YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS AT ALL, PLEASE EMAIL ME.

-CINDY BLAKE

MICHIGAN GHOST WATCHERS PRESIDENT

IF YOU RUN A PARANORMAL GROUP:

1. BE PROFESSIONAL AT ALL TIMES, AND EXPECT YOUR MEMBERS TO DO THE SAME. ALWAYS TREAT YOUR MEMBERS AND YOUR CLIENTS FAIRLY & HONESTLY.

2. DO NOT DISRESPECT OTHER GROUPS. THERE ARE VAST DIFFERENCES IN BELIEFS WITHIN OUR FIELD OF RESEARCH. IF YOUR OPINIONS & TECHNIQUES DIFFER FROM THOSE OF OTHER GHOST HUNTERS, KEEP THEM CONFINED TO DISCUSSIONS WITH YOUR MEMBERS.

3. GET THE OWNER'S PERMISSION FOR EVERY SITE YOU INVESTIGATE, IN WRITING IF POSSIBLE. ALERT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE SITE'S JURISDICTION AS TO WHEN & WHERE YOU WILL BE INVESTIGATING.

4. BE ORIGINAL. DO YOUR OWN WORK. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STEAL THE REPUTATION, PHOTOGRAPHS, NAME, OR WRITTEN MATERIALS FROM OTHER GROUPS TO GAIN A "JUMP-START" FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION.  GOOD COMMUNICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE-SHARING  BETWEEN PARANORMAL GROUPS IS VITAL TOWARDS THE GOAL OF GAINING THE RESPECT OF OTHER GROUP LEADERS AND THE PUBLIC.

5. ALWAYS GIVE PROPER CREDIT IN ANY PUBLICATIONS (INCLUDING WEBSITES) TO THE PERSON WHO PROVIDED YOU WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND/OR INFORMATION YOU ARE USING.

6. CONDUCT MEETINGS AND MAINTAIN GOOD COMMUNICATIONS WITH YOUR GROUP'S MEMBERS. LISTEN TO ANY OPINIONS & SUGGESTIONS THEY MAY HAVE. STRIVE FOR IMPROVEMENT AT ALL TIMES.

7. PROVIDE YOUR MEMBERS WITH MATERIALS, ADVICE, AND OTHER FORMS OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO HELP THEM ADVANCE TOWARDS YOUR SHARED GOALS.

8. ENCOURAGE TEAMWORK & COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN MEMBERS.

9. MAKE YOUR GROUP UNIQUE AND STICK TO YOUR GOALS. DO THINGS THE WAY YOU BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE DONE, WHILE ALLOWING NEW KNOWLEDGE & IDEAS TO INFLUENCE YOUR DECISIONS.

IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF A GROUP:

1. BE RESPECTFUL OF YOUR GROUP LEADER(S) AND OTHER MEMBERS. CONDUCT YOURSELF IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER AT ALL TIMES WHILE AT INVESTIGATIONS AND GROUP EVENTS.

2. NEVER TRESPASS ON PROPERTY OR VANDALIZE PROPERTY IN ANY WAY.

3. FOLLOW YOUR GROUP'S RULES & PROTOCOLS AT ALL TIMES.

4. STUDY STUDY STUDY! OUR FIELD IS FULL OF WEBSITES, ARTICLES, COURSES, AND BOOKS TO HELP YOU LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT WHAT WORKS & WHAT DOESN'T. THERE ARE NO EXPERTS, BUT THERE ARE MANY FOLKS OUT THERE WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WHO ARE WILLING TO HELP YOU & SHARE INFORMATION.