Selected Articles

Why C-FAR? (Julie Rousseau, 1999)
An informal introduction to C-FAR's aims.

Towards a Pragmatic Strategy for Advancing Parapsychological Research (David Rousseau, 1999)
A discussion on how to promote systematic progress in parapsychological research. This is a reworked version of an internal paper prepared for a Society that sponsors scientific research into the paranormal. Development and discussion of the original paper crystallised the ideas which led to the formation of C-FAR. C-FAR takes an interest in all anomalies that significantly challenge our world-view, and of these, parapsychological anomalies form a major part.

What is Proof? (Mary Rose Barrington, 1991)
A discussion on the various forms of proof applied in different circumstances throughout society, and the appropriateness of each form for various types of conjecture. Special attention is given to the nature of proof within parapsychological research.

The contributions of F.W.H. Myers to Psychology (Emily Williams Kelly, 2001)(PDF)
An invited paper published in the April 2001 issue of the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research (JSPR) to mark the 100th anniversary of Myers' death. The paper places Myers' opinions and activities in the broader context of the changes that were happening in the field of psychology. This great paper explains lucidly how scientific thinking grew and shaped where we are today. Reproduced here in PDF with the kind permission of the author and the JSPR.

Why talented individuals need models (Julie Rousseau, 1996)
A letter to the SPR drawing an analogy between the mental models singers use to produce a good sound, and the models psychic practitioners use to explain and facilitate what they do. It argues for tolerance and understanding on the part of investigators.

A Structured Approach to Making the Evidence Count (David Rousseau, 2000)
An argument for applying the techniques of Knowledge Management and Systems Analysis to the study of Anomalies. C-FAR is undertaking or participating in several projects along these lines. These include the development of a model-neutral classification system for anomalies data (completed, see below) and an on-line Anomalies Catalogue.

Challenging the Paradigm Systematically: A New and Generic Approach to Classifying Anomalous Phenomena (David Rousseau, 2002). [PDF paper or HTML abstract.]
Published in the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research (JSPR), April 2002, and reproduced here with kind permission of the author and the JSPR. This paper was originally presented at the 24th International Conference of the SPR, University College Northampton, UK, 8-10 September 2000.

The Spellchecker Case: Computer-Mediated Mediumship? (Julie Rousseau & David Rousseau, 2005). [PDF paper or HTML abstract.]
Published in the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research (JSPR), October 2005, and reproduced here with kind permission of the authors and the JSPR.

Abstracts

Reflections on the Significance of Permanent Paranormal Objects (Julie Rousseau, 2000)
Paper delivered at the 24th International Conference of the SPR, University College Northampton, UK, 8-10 September 2000 (further developed into the paper below, currently in preparation)

Using Anomalies to Inform Orthodox Research (Julie Rousseau, 2001)
Public Lecture delivered to the SPR in London, 6th September 2001. Paper in preparation.

What is a white crow good for? : The Significance of Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem for the Philosophy of Parapsychology. (David and Julie Rousseau, 2001)
Paper delivered at the 25th International Conference of the SPR, Cambridge University, UK, 14-16 September 2001 (paper in preparation)