A computer-automated,multi-center,multi-blinded,randomized control trial evaluating hypothesized spirit presence and communication |
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Authors: | Gary E. Schwartz |
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Affiliation: | 1. CAM, Akamai University, Hilo Hawaii;2. Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Earthsongs Holistic Consulting, 31907 South Davis Ranch Rd., Marana, AZ 85658, USA;3. Health Science Research, Rewley House, University of Oxford, UK;4. Biostatistics & Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison;5. Psychology, Medicine, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Surgery, The University of Arizona, USA;1. Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Kyungheedae-ro 26, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea;1. Community University Partnership for the Study of Children, Youth and Families, Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada;2. Women and Children''s Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada;3. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 1702 College Plaza, 8215 – 112 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8, Canada;1. NJ Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), 683, Hoes Lane West, 3rd Floor SPH Building, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States;2. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, Rutgers SPH, 683 Hoes Lane West, 3rd Floor SPH, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States;3. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers SPH, 683 Hoes Lane West, 2nd Floor SPH, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States |
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Abstract: | The gold standard in biomedical research is the multi-center, multi-blinded, randomized control trial (RCT). In pharmacological research the RCT is termed a Phase III clinical trial. This paper presents the core goals and RCT methods developed to investigate automated spirit presence and communication. The goals are: (1) to use currently available, reliable, and affordable technology (total hardware cost per system less than $4,000; these systems will be provided free to collaborating laboratories), (2) to automate data collection and real-time analyses employing specially designed software, (3) to only require a quiet space (used at night) in collaborating laboratories, (4) to not necessitate human subjects committee approvals at collaborating institutions (because the participants are hypothesized spirit participants), and (5) to enable international collaboration regardless of the investigator's personal beliefs about the hypothesis. The research design and methods meet a phrase popularized by Carl Sagan: “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” The design minimizes false positives and false negatives. University affiliated investigators in established laboratories who regularly publish in peer reviewed journals, and are interested in collaborating in this RCT, are invited to contact the author. |
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