2010 RESEARCHERS EXAM

 2010 VOLUNTEERS EXAMINTATION - PLEASE READ: We are always grateful for people wishing to volunteer to help us with our investigations and efforts looking into the paranormal...

This exam is necessary only to ensure that all our team are working from effectively the same place and with a familiar reference and showing a neutral approach in investigating and researching ghostly phenomena. It is pretty much completely based on our FREE online course. If you have not read this course, please click here and read through the book.

Before getting started, we do understand that one could argue there are no "right or wrong" answers to questions involving the study of the paranormal, this exam is really to ensure general knowledge, ethics (to our standards,) and willingness to proceed within our code of presentation... in terms of working within the group.

If you do disagree or have an alternative hypothesis to something that may be in the coursebook or part of the exam, that's fine and differing viewpoints are more than welcome... BUT for the situation of this exam, we would be looking to ensure you read and comprehend why we do the things we do and what information we already do have... and that you're comfortable with this information as well as your own interpretations. THEREFORE it is essential that the answers you give are representative of our coursebook.


We appreciate that some may feel that our online course may not be the way to look into ghosts and hauntings, it is our guideline and without a thorough understanding of it and our methods, it's a given that you will not do well on the exam below and you will not be asked to join our team. It is essential that you read and understand our course. It is the standard GHRS methods and although it may not be your accepted methodology, it is how we do things ergo: This exam and your acceptance to join our team is based on our course.

We do understand that some people feel that they can bring special qualities or special skills to our team and therefore, the course and exam are unnecessary, but again, we do accept people for their understanding of our own methods. Sorry in advance if the above is how you feel.

UNTIL JANUARY 23rd, this exam is open to anyone who wishes to volunteer from across Ontario. HOWEVER, As of January 23rd, 2010, we will be limiting the areas of the province from which people can volunteer from. (We wish to avoid too much overlap with researchers and investigators...) We will be looking specifically for people in The Ottawa Area, The Kingston Area, Barrie and Huronia, Haliburton, Sudbury, Niagara Falls (proper), and Windsor Area. If you do not live in these areas, please do not take this exam after January 23rd.

If you wish to join a paranormal team and you are from an area not listed above, please consider looking into joining one of the PSICAN affiliate groups in the province. You can find a list of them at this link (click here).

PLEASE NOTE: You may not pass the exam... and completing the exam and the course are *not* guarantees of being asked to join our group. Please do not ask "Which questions did I get wrong?" as, until the exam is taken offline, answers will not be "given out". We will, however, let you know how you did. You may take this exam once per year. If you are not asked to join our team and still wish to, you will have to wait for twelve months to re-take this exam.

Also, we wish to make a few things clear... PSICAN groups are not geared towards getting media attention... nor are psychics and sensitives our "front line" of investigatory methods. If you know in advance that this is where you wish to concentrate your efforts, we may not be the right team for you... Also, it's not unusual for individual team members to go months without an investigation... and investigations are not set up as "make work", "social", or "busy" projects... We do invite our people to work independently on things if they desire... but we cannot guarantee there will be "something" to do with the group on a consistent basis. Investigations, experiments, and general projects vary upon the amount of information and reports we receive from witnesses and other availability of team members and leaders.

In layman's terms... and not to be insulting... if you're hoping for weekly "cemetery stomps", being handed the keys to the haunted house every two weeks, a television program to work in, regularly scheduled meet-ups, or working with a psychic to contact the other side once per month, our group is most likely not going to be offering these things. We will do things and try our best to keep investigators going when we can and again, we do encourage, if you're a part of the team, any initiatives you can think of to perhaps do things as an individual investigator or within our team.

We do encourage everyone, regardless, to pursue their studies and interest in the paranormal with or without the PSICAN/GHRS. We appreciate your interest and effort!


NOW, if you have read through the course (and the above) and are prepared, please take the exam below and good luck! We hope to be working with you in the not-too-distant future!


PERSONAL INFORMATION



Please Note: The information below will never be shared, sold or otherwise used by anyone and is strictly meant for this exam and will *only* be seen and read by PSICAN/GHRS staff members directly involved with the recruiting process once it has been submitted.


Please Enter Your Full (Real) Name in the Box Below:



Please enter your e-mail address in the Box Below:



Are you a legal adult in Ontario? (Over 18 Years of Age):

Yes:
No:



What city/town are you located in or closest to?



What is your phone number (with area code please)?



Do you own or have regular access to a vehicle (car or other transportation)?

Yes:
No:



Are you bondable?

Yes:
No:
Not Sure:



Please indicate your level of general education... (Please note: Only post educational information from accredited, not-for-profit educational facilities.)

Some High School:
High School Diploma:
Some College:
College Diploma:
Some University:
Bachelor's Degree:
Master's Degree:
Doctoral:
Other:



Are you currently a member of another "Ghost Research/Ghost Hunter" group?

Yes:
No:



If you answered yes to the above, which group(s) do you belong to?


Do you understand that if any of the above information is incorrect or wrong, it can lead to you being asked to leave the PSICAN/GHRS team and may even result in further action taken on the part of the PSICAN and GHRS executive?

Yes:
No:



Do you agree, should you be asked to join PSICAN and GHRS that any information, documents or work you do is under a STRICT non-disclosure agreement and that you cannot share information unless it has already been released, already been cleared for disclosure by the director(s) of the GHRS or ParaResearchers Groups or is a personal experience (provided it does not jeopardize any ongoing work... In this situation, please contact the director of the PSICAN and GHRS first.)

I Agree:
I Disagree:



Should you be asked to join our group and agree, all articles, written work, information you release/send to our groups (Torontoghosts, Ontarioghosts, ParaResearchers, and PSICAN) will still belong to you, but you must give our organizations permission to use, republish, reprint these items in perpetuity. Do you agree to these terms?

I Agree:
I Disagree:



If you are asked to work within the GHRS, you understand that you may be asked to assist or give input, help or work with other GHRS organizations as well as ParaResearchers groups?

I Agree:
I Disagree:



The above information has been read, understood and is accurate.

I Agree:
I Disagree:






TRUE or FALSE



Apparitions are ghostly phenomena that are heard rather than seen.

True:
False:



CSICOP (now called CSI) are a well known Canadian paranormal group known for doing work with psychics and sensitives that have shown impressive data that supports psychical abilities as true.

True:
False:



A real sceptic is someone who doesn't (and will never on any account) believe that ghosts exist.

True:
False:



Harry Price was considered by many to be more or less the "grandfather of ghost hunters" despite, by others, being referred to as a fraud and possible hoaxer to garner media attention.

True:
False:



An orb photo, caught with a non-digital stereo camera, that shows the orb in both frames of equal size, shape, and brightness, would be considered a good candidate in validating orb photography as possible paranormal in origin.

True:
False:



Looking at statistical data, the chances of a ghost physically harming you is far less than being hurt (or even killed) by an "exorcism".

True:
False:



It is important that if a witness is perceiving the phenomena a certain way due to their religious or philosophical beliefs that you, as the investigator/researcher, correct them if they are wrong.

True:
False:



Psychics and sensitives, although not the "front line" of our investigative tools, are occasionally utilized by PSICAN for some of it's work.

True:
False:



PSICAN believes firmly in treating the ghost or entity with the utmost compassion and assisting, when possible, helping them move on to the other side.

True:
False:



It is vital to correct any witness who assumes that their ghost is "demonic" or in any other ways evil.

True:
False:



PSICAN investigators never start any work investigating or researching the paranormal unless it is given to them by a team lead or director of PSICAN.

True:
False:



It is always important to get a witness to sign a non-disclosure agreement to ensure that the PSICAN has exclusive right to deal with and report their experiences.

True:
False:



When researching a site, it is essential and recommended that you work very hard towards finding a historical situation that must be the catalyst of the phenomena happening keeping in mind that there must always be a history to match the phenomena.

True:
False:



The mainstream scientific community is anti-paranormal investigation and therefore PSICAN do not claim to ever use scientific methods or protocols when collecting data.

True:
False:



In order to get our "name out there" and get more people interested in the paranormal, it is important to actively try to get the media or press interested in our work and do as much media as possible.

True:
False:



You must approach all studies and investigations with as an "agnostic" sense of view as possible to avoid being skewed within belief or disbelief.

True:
False:



The Society for Psychical Research is an established group that has been looking into psychical phenomena (ghosts included) for over a century.

True:
False:



PSICAN highly recommends that a prayer of protection is said by all team members (and even witnesses if they are present,) before and after an investigation.

True:
False:



MULTIPLE CHOICE



Ghosts are...

1: Psychic energy left over or delivered by the living or deceased.
2: PSI phenomena (sort of a "psychic transmission") that needs a human medium of some sort.
3: Separate entities - Some sort of residual of a deceased person.
4: I don't know.
5: None of the above


Cemeteries are...

1: Sacred and protected places where it's easy to 'stir up' spirits if not careful.
2: Very active locations for ambient ghosts and spirits.
3: Places to avoid as activity there is not as controlled as homes or buildings.
4: Not really reported to be that commonly haunted at all.
5: Good places to visit for EVP and photographic collection.


The Philip Phenomena (as well as The Scole Experiments) seem to show that some ghostly phenomena could very likely stem from...

1: Recurrent Spontaneous Psychokinesis (or RSPK).
2: Demonic or evil entities.
3: Witnesses willing to hoax for fame and attention.
4: Spirits who have not crossed over.


Which of the following is the best answer to a person who e-mails about clearing a home of an unwanted ghost?

1: PSICAN will only clear a home when we feel it is the best course of action.
2: It's best to hire a professional or hire an expert to clear a home. Unfortunately, we don't clear homes.
3: There are many ways to clear a home free of charge. You should never pay a fee. The GHRS/PSICAN does not clear homes.
4: Shouting or otherwise yelling at the spirit to leave is the best first course of action.
5: There's probably no ghost in the home so there is no need to worry.



According to our course, which of the following terms fits groups such as CSICOP (CSI) best?

1: True Sceptics (or, in the American spelling, Skeptics)
2: Scientific Researchers
3: Paranormal Investigators
4: Psychical Researchers, "Ghost-Hunters"
5: Auto-Debunkers or Remote-Debukers
6. Don't know


The story of the ghostly children that will push a car on train-tracks to 'safety' most likely originates from...

1: Burlington, Ontario
2: Buffalo, New York
5: Combination of San Antonio, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah.
6: Toronto, Ontario
3: It's complete fiction.


You have received a report about a private duplex that the owners hear a phantom set of footsteps (without a human agent from inside their house) going up the main hall stairs at between 9pm and 9:30pm each night, Monday to Friday. What might be your first thought?

1: Look into the homes history to see if 9pm or thereabouts holds any special point that may lead to the discovery of "who" the ghost is.
2: Since this is a "timed" phenomena, an on-site to capture the sounds may be in order ASAP.
3: Consider other alternatives and find out more about their neighbours.
4: Contact a director or lead and organize a complete study and investigation of the home first.


A witness contacts you with a strange liquid seemingly seeping from her walls that they attribute to ghostly (or "paranormal") phenomena. What do you do?

1: Contact PSICAN for a full chemistry team review of the site.

2: Assure the witness it's most likely nothing and suggest they see if the liquid appears more than three times in one week.

3: Using surgical rubber gloves, an empty and clean pill bottle with a lid, and a Q-Tip, carefully gather a sample and send it to one of the PSICAN directors for analysis.

4: As this is most likely demonologically related, suggest contacting a demonologist or even their local clergy as it's outside the scope of PSICAN's work.

5: Look for natural reasons for the liquid, but if the witness insists, get them to contact a lab themselves for a sample and analysis.



In an investigation, you find that something you've submitted either didn't stand up to the scrutiny of your peers, or was proven to be incorrect. What is your first course of action?

1: Delete the offending article or remove the part that was wrong before it's noticed by the public.
2: Decide whether or not I was correct and argue my points. All data, regardless, is relevent.
3: Talk to my director or lead and try to resolve the issue with them.
4: Admit the error, study more to learn from it, make the corrections and move on.
5: There are no "errors" as this is the "unknown". Findings are findings and opinions will always be different.


PSICAN Volunteers are considered...

1: Ghost hunters
2: Ghost busters
3: Ghost Researchers/Investigators
4: Psychical Investigators
5: None of the above


PSCIAN is primarily interested in...

1: Scientifically proving the existence of ghosts and hauntings.

2: Getting and reporting the history, legends, myths and first-hand accounts of ghosts and hauntings while providing good data and hypotheses.

3: Doing on-site investigations of reported haunted sites.

4: None of the above.


[Personal Question] I consider myself... (best choice)

1: Psychic
2: Sensitive
3: A willing researcher/Investigator
4: An interested person in the phenomena.
5: Waiting to see/experience ghosts


SHORT (One Sentence) ANSWERS


A parent contacts you as their child seems to be being attacked and made ill by some sort of unseen entity. They report that child is very ill all the time and has trouble eating and drinking. They are very weak and do not seem to be sleeping soundly through the night and they are getting worse. The parent wants to know what they should do. What is the FIRST thing you should recommend to this person ahead of telling them to stay calm?


A favourite local shop owner passed away about one week prior to receiving a report from a patron of the shop. They feel the shop owner is still "working" in his store... and have even seen him there. His widow currently is keeping the store open despite his passing. How would you initiate work at this shop? (Please be as specific as possible... but brief.)


What should you check about a frequency or "channel" on a TV or radio set before starting a "white-noise" EVP collection (Instrumental TransCommunication) experiments?


When should you use a 'Pendulum' or Angel Board on a PSICAN/GHRS investigation?


Briefly, which is better, digital or 35mm (or film) photography and why?



SUBMISSION


The following is a "make believe" report; please treat the street address, e-mail address and information as legitimate. (In other words, NONE of the answers involve the e-mail address or street/mailing address beyond this place being "In Ontario"...)

You have received the following report via e-mail...

From: somefellow@someisp.com

Dear PSICAN;

My friend's old house is really haunted!

A few years ago, before they moved, they heard weird sounds, almost like screams coming from the basement. When they'd go to look, there was nothing there at all! Worst of all, sometimes, when they were down in the basement, they'd hear footsteps on the floor above them when no one was there!

He told me that when the house was built over two-hundred and fifty years ago, it was built by a doctor who performed illegal abortions in the basement. If a girl died, he'd bury her in the walls of the place!

It's a really spooky place and I bet there's still things happening there because I'm sure the bodies were never recovered!

You guys should check it out... and when you put this on your website, please don't publish my name or anything...

S. Fellow


QUESTIONS: (Please read ALL the questions below before answering.)

1: Based on the "story" of what happened and possibly is the "cause" of the ghost, what do you see as being the first problem with the report?


2: Why will this house most likely be difficult if not impossible to do an "on-site" visit?


3: Although we wouldn't turn down this data, what would be two "red flags" (things that should be suspect) in this story?



OTHER INFORMATION


Have you yourself ever experienced something paranormal?

No:
Yes - Once:
Yes - A Few Times:
Yes - Many Times:
Yes - All The Time:
Maybe - Not Sure:


If you can, please name three (3) well-known haunted locations in Ontario.



After the appropriate research has been done on a site to warrant an 'on-site' investigation, name two (2) important data collection tools and two (2) safety tools one might bring to the site.



FINAL DATA


PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY: In clicking "submit" below, you are guaranteeing and validating that all of the above information is correct and as accurate as you are capable of.

You also understand that you may not be asked to join the group for many reasons. All participants, provided they pass the exam and meet the general criteria for our group, are still passed through the executive membership of the PSICAN/GHRS which means that for various reasons, you may not be asked to join. Please, do not see this any kind of slight and we certainly hope you will not abandon looking into paranormal phenomena outside of the PSICAN.

Also, by clicking "submit", you understand that we will *try* to contact you but volume of exams may make this difficult or impossible right away.

In addition, by clicking "submit" below, you are acknowledging that should you work with or for the PSICAN/GHRS, you understand that we are not responsible for any loss, injury, or other issues of loss that you may incur as/or working with part of our team(s).

If you have read all of the above and agree and understand it, please click "submit" below.


Click the "submit" button below when you are ready to send us your exam...



Click Here to return to the Ontario Ghosts/Toronto Ghosts pages.