How We Evaluate Claims explains the research and assessment process used by The Vault when documenting paranormal claims, unexplained phenomena, historical mysteries and unusual reports.
The purpose of this framework is to ensure that articles are accurate, transparent and balanced.
The Vault documents claims without automatically accepting or rejecting them. Each subject is examined by considering the available evidence, the reliability of sources and possible explanations.
Our Approach
The Vault follows an evidence-led approach.
A claim is not considered true simply because:
- Many people believe it.
- A witness is sincere.
- It appears in books or documentaries.
- It has been reported for many years.
- It is difficult to explain.
Likewise, a claim is not dismissed simply because:
- It involves unusual experiences.
- It lacks a current explanation.
- It falls outside accepted scientific understanding.
Each claim is assessed based on the quality of available evidence.
Research Process
1. Define the Claim
The first step is identifying exactly what is being claimed.
Examples:
- A person reported seeing an unidentified object.
- Witnesses reported unusual activity at a location.
- A study claimed evidence of a particular ability.
- A historical event has unexplained elements.
Clear definitions prevent assumptions from influencing the investigation.
2. Identify Sources
Sources are examined according to their reliability and relevance.
Sources may include:
- Primary accounts from witnesses.
- Historical records.
- Scientific papers.
- Investigation reports.
- Interviews.
- Books.
- News reports.
- Archival material.
Where possible, The Vault prioritises original sources over repeated summaries.
Source Evaluation
Sources are assessed using several factors.
Reliability
Questions considered include:
- Who created the source?
- What was their involvement?
- Is the information firsthand?
- Are there reasons for bias?
Independence
Multiple sources are more valuable when they are independent of each other.
Ten websites repeating the same story do not necessarily represent ten separate sources.
Documentation
Reports supported by records, photographs, recordings or physical evidence generally carry greater weight than unsupported claims.
Context
Information is considered within its historical and cultural setting.
A report from hundreds of years ago may be evaluated differently from a modern investigation using current technology.
Considering Explanations
The Vault considers both paranormal and non-paranormal explanations.
Possible explanations may include:
- Misidentification.
- Environmental factors.
- Psychological factors.
- Hoaxes or mistakes.
- Cultural influences.
- Unknown causes.
- Paranormal interpretations.
Considering alternative explanations does not automatically disprove a claim. It ensures that all possibilities are examined.
Evidence vs Interpretation
A key principle of The Vault is separating evidence from interpretation.
For example:
Evidence:
A witness reports seeing an unusual figure.
Interpretations:
- A spirit was present.
- A person was misidentified.
- A psychological experience occurred.
- Another unknown explanation exists.
The evidence and the explanation are not the same thing.
Witness Accounts
Witness testimony is an important part of paranormal research.
The Vault records witness experiences because they provide valuable historical and cultural information.
However, eyewitness accounts can be affected by:
- Memory.
- Stress.
- Expectations.
- Environmental conditions.
- The passage of time.
A witness can be honest and still be mistaken.
Extraordinary Claims
The Vault follows the principle that extraordinary claims require strong supporting evidence.
Claims involving significant changes to our understanding of reality require evidence that can be independently examined and verified.
This principle does not mean unusual claims should be ignored. It means the standard of evidence should match the significance of the claim.
Conclusions
Articles within The Vault may reach different conclusions:
| Classification | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Explained | Evidence supports a conventional explanation. |
| Unresolved | Available evidence does not provide a clear conclusion. |
| Contested | Evidence is disputed or interpreted differently. |
| Unverified | A claim exists, but supporting evidence is insufficient. |
| Supported | Evidence provides significant support, although interpretation may remain debated. |
Transparency
The Vault aims to clearly separate:
- What is documented.
- What is claimed.
- What evidence exists.
- What remains unknown.
All assessments may be updated if new evidence becomes available.
Related Pages
- TheVault:Evidence Rating System
- Paranormal Evidence
- Scientific Method
- Critical Thinking
- Witness Testimony
- VaultEvidence