To research or not to research …. Before a paranormal investigationNew!

3rd May 2025. Reading Time: 9 minutes General, Paranormal Investigation. 233 page views. 0 comments.

One of the hot debates consistent in the paranormal field over the years has been the topic of researching before a paranormal investigation. While I wrote about this a few years ago, the scope of the paranormal field has changed dramatically, so I felt it was time to address the topic again and include the thoughts of you guys as well!

One of the hot debates consistent in the paranormal field over the years has been the topic of researching before a paranormal investigation. While I wrote about this a few years ago, the scope of the paranormal field has changed dramatically, so I felt it was time to address the topic again and include the thoughts of you guys as well! There is really no right or wrong answer to this question as everyone works differently and for different reasons. I do think however, if we weigh it up and talk about both sides of the argument, it can help us as investigators and researchers to consider other perspectives and maybe even try a new approach.

To get started, let’s look at some of the typical arguments used on both sides of the fence. These are just some of the things I have heard through the years on both sides.

To Research:

Realistically, people have access to a location for a limited amount of time. In order to use the time more productively, knowing the history can help plan the night in advance to make the most of the time.
Knowing the history means that you can formulate questions or techniques based on historical events.
You can attempt to recreate/debunk claims associated with the location

Not To Research

Many who have psychic ability feel they should be going into a location blind if they are planning on using their abilities. This is so that their knowledge of history doesn’t interfere or potentially influence what they are picking up.
Investigators like to go into a location blind so that they don’t allow their knowledge to influence the investigation. They believe they may subconsciously tie in things to fit a certain narrative in order to match history.
Some are there for a typical 'ghost hunt' which is searching for paranormal activity rather than historical linkage. In essence, they are looking to experience or seek out something paranormal.

I personally prefer to go in with as much knowledge about the place and the people as I possibly can. Let me tell you why. I am not a sensitive person, and I am not a medium. I cannot walk into a location blind and be able to tell you what has been done there and who we may be communicating with. I certainly know why people who have these gifts would want to go in blind and personally, I agree they should if they are going to be reading the location. If you are using a medium and they haven’t been given any information whatsoever, if what they pick up on is genuine and if it is then matched back later with historical information, they have done a great job and I am sure it must be a very accomplishing feeling to have their feelings and findings validated. As someone who does not have the ability to do this, I need to know before I go in, as I feel this makes me a better investigator. Another point to consider is, if you go in blind, how do you know which areas to target? If you don't know the history of the building and where certain things have happened, how do you know which areas to investigate in. If you are going to have locked off cameras for example, how do you know where to put them if you don't have any information on the location? While you should still investigate a location as a whole, any claims should be investigated and possibly debunked which means targeting those specific areas. There is a difference between a paranormal investigation and a ghost hunt. A paranormal investigation normally consists of people trying to gain data to be able to validate claims. If there is a particular room where activity is reported, I am going to see if I can replicate that activity. I am going to see if I can document that activity. What is its source? Is there a potential reason for the activity to occur? Is there a history of this activity happening over the years? Where are the reports of this activity coming from? This is information I wouldn't know if I were to go in blind. A ghost hunt I believe, is more just going in and seeing what you find. While this can be fun and is a style that many like to work with, it just isn't for me. We all work differently and if that is the way you like to do it, do what works for you!

When I have gone into an investigation blind, I find it difficult to communicate. What kind of questions do I ask if I don’t know what has gone on there? Sure, I can ask the usual questions, “what is your name, how did you die, what was this building used for” etc, but how likely is it that you are going to actually get a response? Or if you are recording an EVP session and not listening live, you don’t hear the answer until after the fact when it is too late. Maybe I just need to be a better investigator and think more outside the box, but this is my style and how I like to do things. I will gather as much documented information as I can on what a building has been used for and more importantly, the people who were there. What happened to these people? How did they die there? What reason could they have for sticking around? What are the reports of sightings? I feel that going in with this knowledge aids my investigation technique. If other team members don’t want to know this information, I keep it to myself and they then use me as a reference point later in the investigation. In fact, having a member of the team with the knowledge can be a way to embrace the best of both worlds.

Here are what some of the readers from LLIFS had to say on the matter (Thank you to all who answered. I couldn't include everyone, but I have tried to show both arguments)

Mystic Jewelz
I prefer not to, however, if I am not familiar with the area, I do find the location in maps, and have a look at what is around. I think that is more of a safety thing more than an investigation aspect.

Scott Buchanan
Ideally, I like to know a little bit about the history but without any details so I can pitch my questions appropriately. That way I can research the responses afterwards and compare them historically. Then hopefully return for a second investigation with greater knowledge, in-depth questions to see how responses change.

Ileata Kenley
I research before I go , I want to make sure of validity of the claims and it gives me a clue of what to talk about in a EVP session.

Rebecca Slaughter Boyer
It really depends. If the client makes claims of something happening in the location, I'm going to attempt to validate those claims. Additionally our team makes sure the person reaching out is the owner. In the US people have claimed to own property and they don't. We like to validate that with deeds. If the location is going to be a long term research, we have a unique opportunity to enter without any prior knowledge. If we are only doing a one and done, we like to have a group of people know everything we can gather prior to the investigation.

Dan McMath
Blind. The history should make no difference to possible existence of the paranormal. If there's activity, then there's activity.

Paranormal Reason
Personally, I believe it depends on your methodology.
For some, it would be a definite no no, for others part of their standard protocol.
For example, we don't really visit locations for the purposes of pursuing the paranormal.
Because of my interest in history generally, it's likely I'd have some basis knowledge. For Laura, she just wouldn't be aware.
However, if I was driving 300 miles to undertake an investigation, I'd want to know where the reported activity was occurring.
Selfish I know, but I wouldn't want to drive that far to focus my attention on the Dungeon, when all the activity occurred in the bathroom.

Jackie Meador
Always research a site after the client prelim interview and before the investigation date. I never ever go in blind. Main reason is the safety of my team first both physically and spiritually.

Rebecca Willis
I prefer to go in blind but it has its disadvantages.
Ie. not recognising the significance of certain responses.

PRUZE
Never as its so exciting when you match evidence you receive

There are benefits to both approaches and I don’t think it is necessarily an easy answer when there is so much to consider. The hauntings of some locations have such a strong historical connection on an level of infamy that means you can’t avoid a lot of the history, and it is the whole reason you are going there. An example would be a location such as Lizzie Borden’s house. You would know some basic information, or else why would you be going there in the first place? There are just some locations that you can’t go in completely blind, as even on a subconscious level, there is information you know. Some of it could be rumour, some of it could be myth and so in this case, it is much better to go in there informed with factual information and not hearsay. Other lesser-known locations have an untold history waiting to be recovered. Some have psychic abilities they rely on that need a ‘blind’ approach, while others use equipment and techniques where some historical knowledge can be of benefit. The length of an investigation matters too. Are you there for a long time or a good time? Weigh it all up and do what works for you and your team. Your stance on this will likely change and evolve over the years and it is important to embrace this as well. Anyone out there saying that you MUST only do it this way is doing themselves a disservice. I find it interesting that well over a decade ago, it was very much drilled into us as investigators that you shouldn't know any history. I think this approach came from television at the time because usually the investigators would go in blind and then validate everything at the end with a historian. Today, it seems more people are open to knowing the history. There are no hard and fast rules, only the ones you make for yourself. Don’t be confined to the restrictions and opinions of others who tell you this is what ‘real paranormal investigators do’. It is time to move past this mindset and remember, if we all thought the same way and did everything the same way we would get absolutely nowhere. Don’t be afraid to step outside the box and think for yourself.

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